Family! Food! Fireworks! Fun! Flying Babies???

The annual 4th of July party this year was a blast.  It was so fun to be back together again after we skipped last year.  A few of us ditched out in '08 and celebrated with a little REBELious activity and spent the 4th in Australia.  But it was business as usual this year!

What a great blessing to have such a big family and good friends that I love so dearly.  

The house and yard clearly had Keith's mom's touch to it.  There were flags and Americana in every direction.  And the food.  Oh there is not enough good to say about the food.  King Keith at the grill with juicy burgers and gigantic Tyler dogs.  The soft Ice Cream Machine was a new touch this year.  Definitely going to become a tradition.  There was an entire table that was entirely desserts.  Oh Baby!  Jenny Craig..here I come!

I have to admit this.  After everyone had left and it was quiet.  I sat down in a chair thinking about the day and was looking up at a big ole full moon.  I got a little soupy (yep that's my word for it today).  I suddenly felt so sad.  All of Rod and Cindy's kids had been here with the exception of Natalie (congratulations on the newest addition woot!woot!) and Jordan (serving his mission in Mexico City).  All of Wade & Carolyn's family had come.  Kahre and Katie with their little Riley. Where were MY kids?  All this amazing family around and King Keith and I were alone.  But I didn't feel sorry for myself for very long.  Very quickly I started counting all my blessings (which was so easy-most of the greatest ones had just been playing in my backyard!) and my soupy-ness turned to happiness!  I wouldn't want my boys to be any place other than where they were!

I am so grateful for Alec.  For his decision to marry his beautiful wife, Tiffany.  That he loves her family like he loves us.  That he excitedly spends his free time with them as she does with us.  I am grateful there is no "it's their turn or our turn."  I miss them when they aren't with us but it's wonderful that they are having such a great time with the Rowe's.

I miss my Jake so much some days.  Anyone who reads this knows this :)  BUT...I am humbled to my core to be his mother,  I don't know how or what I did to be blessed with such choice sons.  But I will be eternally grateful and proud .  160 days.  So close and yet I'm already sort of feeling bad that this huge part of his life is coming close to an end.  I am blessed everyday to have someone as precious as Jake as my son,

I love my husband.  He makes me laugh.  He makes me feel safe.  He drives me crazy.  He is all mine.  

I love my family.

I love my country.

See...who could stay soupy when she has a life as great as mine?!

The annual Fireworks display.  Kinda Lame.  My brother TL was probably booing at us from heaven.  We are definitely going back to the illegal stuff.  One of the little kids tapped me on the shoulder at one point during the "big finale" and asked...."Aunt Nae...When are they gonna light the good stuff?"  Sorry Carter....I wasn't in charge of the fireworks this year. haha

Leah, Jessica & Jessica

Riley-She's got some moves!  

Some of the family making the best of the Lamo fireworks.  It's amazing how little $100 bucks will buy you anymore!

Beautiful, Beautiful, & Beautiful  Alyssa, Shaylee & Autumn

Chase, Brianna & Brandon  The popperazzi.  hahahaha

Waiting for Chase to start the Big show.

There just isn't enough technology or playlists in this family!

That face!  Bennett was just not thrilled at my camera in his face all day.  But that face!  It's too cute to resist!

The flying baby!  Or the underwater baby!  Definitely the water baby! Grayson the fish!

Adorable Eden!

Kadee-feminine, flirty and can still Rock the back flip!

Trent, Elizabeth & Will-The cutest family ever.  

Shaylee's first trip through the buffet line.  There was so much yummy food, an entire dessert table and of course the unlimited soft ice cream machine.  Yum Yum Burp Yum!

Tyson is showing them ALL how it is supposed to be done!  That is some Big Air!

Alivia.  What can you say about this child.  If you go here you can watch her wakeboarding the day before this.  She is only like 4 years old. She's adorable, wickedly smart and tells you right out "go big or go home"  There are plenty of teenagers and adults that won't even attempt to jump off this tree.  She's just a munchkin.  Watch out world! 

Our 15 year old, party animal, deaf cat, Hider.  Yeah.  He looks impressed with it all.

Wade & Alyssa.  They are too cute together.!

Grandma Runyon & Keith kicking up their heels to some tunes.  We love her.

Chase starting the party out with the first flip off the super structure.

Hannah in all her glory.  

Flying hot stuff!

Wade showing us his better side. 

Dixon paying homage to Jakie Poo.

Happy Birthday America.  We love you!