Happy Birthday to the USA!

We had a perfect Fourth of July! We drove up to Boise for the weekend and enjoyed a traditional holiday. We had an early morning pancake breakfast and bike parade at the church, lots of swimming and hanging out with cousins, a BBQ and, of course, fireworks! It was so great to see the fam and spend time with them. Spence was out of the country so we missed his little family, but we got to visit tons with our soon-to-be newest member of the family...Katie! That's right, Uncle Jake is getting married on June 5th (Labor Day weekend)!!! Huzzah! We are so happy for him and really love Katie. :)

The Boyer clan on the morning of the 4th

Lizzie waits for the line to die down at the pancake breakfast Katie, Donnetta, James, Nana, Joe and Emma chow downWe were quite the group! Adorable picture of Bri-bri...now we just need to photoshop all those other people out of the shot
Jake's fiance Katie holds little Ella Richards We didn't bring any bikes with us for the parade, so we had to round up all the possibilities we could find. Unfortunately, we were one short and Caleb ended up with the short end of the deal. He was very sad about it. Grandpa helps Lizzie decorate her bike Randon shows off his biking skills The start of the parade! This year, they only did it around the church parking lot a few times. Last year they went around a nearby neighborhood, but some kids got lost and others were crying, etc, so they decided to just stay in the parking lot this time.
Hannah Bay Boyer even had her body decorated Karl in his sweet hat Ammon and Addie Busy Lizzie in the parade Brielle on her scooter Uncle Randon and Papa had to help Emmers get back up the hill at the end of the parade Hannah and the cute scooter she decorated Josh races by After Emma was done, Caleb RACED to the car and rode in the parade as well. Everyone cheered for him and he felt much better about life. Bekah absolutely loves bikes. Caleb was sitting on this one and she came over, grabbed him by the shirt, yanked him off and took it for herself! Cabers was left crying on the grass next to her, wondering what just happened, lol. She is truly a youngest child...she has to be tough to get what she wants! Grandpa and Randon walked home (up the big, big hill) with some of the kiddos Look at those puppy-dog eyes of Joshua Randon Richards Randon and Joe help Mom prepare food for the BBQ The kids really got tired out. Emma crashed after swimming on Saturday afternoon. All done swimming Randon works on the homemade ice cream made with fresh strawberries from his garden Such a dark photo, but I love the look on both Caleb and Joe's faces Early wake up call + swimming + heat = tired kidsLook at that gorgeous face! I love my Gabrielle Richards! Last year, we bought fireworks so late that they were all out of sparklers. The kids were very excited to have some this year! Trying out my "nighttime" feature on my camera. Lizzie and her sparkler.
Menfolk tend to the fireworks Jake with Emma, Katie with Caleb, Nana, Donnetta with Bekah, and James Beautiful Hannah and Addie will be breaking hearts before we know it (although with those freaky eyes, they may just scare them away, lol...I guess I should have edited these shots) Do Ammon and Josh look related or what?
The audience watches intently ;) Cutie little Joshy Grandpa and Uncle Joe in the smoke The fireworks were a little loud at times. Notice Karl and Addie with their hands over their ears. Brielle keeps near Uncle Joey and Bekah...just in case. :) After we finished our own fireworks show, we all went out onto Nana and Grandpa's deck and watched the fireworks throughout the city. The girls found a great view from the top of the playhouse. :) My mom had turned on the TV viewing of the fireworks so we could listen to the music as we watched from the backyard. Caleb thought it was way more cool to dance to the music and watch them on the television. Our own front row seats We had a wonderful time! Happy 233rd to the U.S.A.!