Let Freedom Ring

With a recent schedule change in Joe's department, he was left with five days off. Due to some pregnancy things and plans we opted out of planning a vacation, instead going for a stay-cation of sorts. We loved the freedom of not having to worry about work and just go play together.

Monday was the quietest day of the week where we just played games in the sprinklers and went out for ice cream. On Tuesday we went on an adventure into the mountains. We are blessed to live so close to so many mountainous areas and really should take advantage of day trips like these more often. We packed up some hobo dinners and some s'mores supplies and headed to the Smith & Morehouse area where we set up shop in a campground there. This place was beautiful!

We hiked down to the river - risking life and limb at extreme heights over tree trunks and...okay well the tree trunk was only like two feet off the ground, but still - the kids thought is was brave!

Our home is just down the street from this same river, but even and hour and a half away the kids enjoyed watching and throwing rocks into it. They also managed to survive a few pictures.

I love this one of my three favorite people

Not sure why Noah did so great with dad but not so much with Mom...
Another shot of our green and lovely spot

Notice the blue sky in the above picture? Too bad that didn't last. After our river adventure we headed to the lake to fish a little where it promptly started to rain. We headed back to the campground and, because it let up a little, decided to stick it out, start a fire, and cook our hobo dinners. The kids were not as up for the play in the rain plan as I would have hoped so they ended up with a movie and snacks inside of the car.

With wet picnic tables, hobo dinners got the car treatment as well.

We did get them out long enough to get them smelling like smoke and sticky from yummy s'mores and are greatful that the weather dried out long enough to enjoy at least that part of our evening. The rain really didn't ruin anything though, as the kids immediately asked if we could do it again tomorrow.

We also enjoyed a BBQ with a couple of Joe's works friends and their families where we swam and visited. I really like this group of people and my kids loved playing with theirs. I think Chloe might have stayed in the pool for three hours straight! Thursday brought date night. Joe and I went out with friends to see a movie and I loved getting the break. On Friday we enjoyed another BBQ - this one following a softball game between the Riverdale Police Officers and Firefighters. Better luck next time RVPD - the food was good though!

With the 4th of July falling on Sunday this year, Utah decided to do it's celebrating on the third. We enjoyed a parade, and watching dad work at it, swimming, a BBQ with my family, and fireworks. The day was great! On Friday night Chloe told me, when we were discussing getting to go swimming at grandma's the next day:

"I've been thinking about it all day and I think I am ready to jump off the diving board by myself tomorrow." I know there are many kids, including my cute 3 year old nephew Riley, that are swimming and jumping off boards solo at this age, but still I was suprised my sometimes shy little girl was ready to make the leap. As soon as she got done letting me take this picture:

She ran straight to the diving board without hesitation. Documenting her first solo jump:

Her proud post jump face

Jumping from this board was what she did for the rest of the time we swam - here are some still shots of the jumping

Another video, this one of her now running and jumping in one smooth move


There are some perks that come with being in a law enforcement family. One is VIP parking at the fireworks. Another is getting the rare chance to drive there in daddy's police car. The kids thought this was the COOLEST!

I'm always wary about keeping the kids up late for things such as this, knowing I will pay for it the next morning. They had such a great time though that it made it worth it!

Best shot I could get of Noah's slightly freaked out face from the fireworks:

So today is the actual Independence Day and after all of our weeklong activities we have so far enjoyed a relaxing day of church (not so relaxing, but done by noon), naps, and yummy BBQ leftovers. As I think about all we were able to experience this week I am grateful for a day to celebrate the opportunity we have to live in this free country, to do what we desire and to live as we choose in this beautiful land. I hope we never take for granted the freedoms that we have and the blessing it is to be American citizens. God Bless the USA!