The Fourth of July Went On and On

Oh, Mormons and/or the State of Utah...I don't know whether to curse you or commend you for refusing to celebrate any "secular" holiday that falls on the Sabbath Day...

On one hand, if you refuse to do fireworks on Sunday, shall I look for them on Saturday or Monday? I'm so confused.

On the other hand, we like a reason to party all weekend long. Even better, the Whittakers came to town from Arizona to party with us.

We started Saturday morning with a run for Bruce and the girls. Kiki, as you can see, carefully chose a running outfit that was incredibly long yet transparent and sporty yet completely unsuited for any actual sport. Kate did a little better.

Here's Kiki bringing up the rear. It was only a half mile and she came in second to last, but she was the youngest kid there. Bruce continues his training for the Spudman in earnest, so his foot race preliminaries included 14 miles on the bike.

After the race, we did a little yard work then had lunch at Mi Ranchito. (Because it's Saturday. And it's lunch time. And that means MR.) Then we went swimming.

The last round of swimming lessons helped Kate get brave enough to go off of the diving board.

Then the Whittaker's made it in, so we ate dinner and celebrated a couple of birthdays.

Sophie and Wes both have birthdays this week.

Sophie blowing out the candles. I'm pretty sure that she wished she could be a real-live princess.

Then it was on to "Cul-de-sac of Fire!" We in the neighborhood meet together with fireworks and treats and have a great time. It's like the law of consecration for arsonists and cooks.

And yes, the night of the 3rd was so cold that blankets AND jackets were required.

On Sunday, we went to Uncle Dan's house to play on his new zip-line.

The "Buckin' Bronco Obstacle Course" costs extra.

The kids were hilarious. It took them a minute to get brave, and then they all wanted to go fast and go far.

Kiki loves Scotty.

Then the grown-ups gave it a try.

I clearly exceeded the weight limit since I wound up with horse poop in my pockets.

On Monday we woke up and thought, "Man. Saturday was such a fun day! Let's do it again!"

So we did.

Only I did the running on Monday.

Then Wes and Bruce worked in the yard a little.

Then we went to Mi Ranchito for lunch.

(Sidebar: We saw my dad at Mi Ranchito. Christy asked, "What are the chances you'd see your dad at Mi Ranchito?!?" "One in Four," I told her. "It's been scientifically proven.")

Kiki was pretty jazzed about two servings of Mi Ranchito rice in a single weekend.

Then we went to the pool.

Kiki made Bruce help her try on his swim cap.

The best thing about this picture is the booger in her nose.

Me and my girls, hanging out at the pool.

Then we went home and had an awesome dinner with Wes, Christy, and the kids.

We had so much fun with the Whittakers this weekend. Kiki and Sophie were the happiest little playmates, and Kate and Jake and DB played until they collapsed. It makes me a little sad that so many of my kids' cousins live far away, but it also makes for fun summer reunions.

Next year, when the Fourth of July is on a regular old weekday it is going to seem SO LAME.