Scenes from 4th of July

 JULY 2, 2014

So, we put Kohler on the plane headed for the Provo MTC and we got in our car and headed to California!  No way was I going back to the house and walking in his room, all empty but still smelling like his cologne and stuff.  I just didn't want to do that.  We decided several weeks ago that we would spend our 4th of July in California just to get away.

But speaking of getting away--as emotional as we were having just put Kohler on the plane hours earlier, we just couldn't get away from seeing his name!  Every bathroom had his name on the sinks and it became a joke.  Kelsey and I couldn't believe it!!  Ahh!!

We stopped in San Diego at the Mormon Battalion Visitor's Center on our way to the beach.  It is such a first-class facility they have there.  But again, as soon as I saw the missionaries there, tears filled my eyes--now with pride because my son was now one of them.  :)

 Happy 4th of July!!  We had a blast playing at the beach and the pool with Suzanne, Tony and their adorable children!

 Oh my gosh - how we ALL love little Noel!

 We watched fireworks at our hotel in Dana Point but everyone agreed that they weren't as fun as Stadium of Fire in Provo!!  Suzanne let Spencer and Hailey stay and watch fireworks with them and spend the night with the cousins.  They had a much better time than we did.  We had lots of drunk people and no breeze at the beach so the smoke from the fireworks just hovered over the ocean and we couldn't see the fireworks when they exploded.  It was pretty lame.

 Still, we were just glad we were together!!

I just love these two little firecracker girls!!  Olivia and Hailey are both 8 now and such beauties!

 So, the next day we went to the beach and had a blast!  We met up with the MacLays and it was so fun to see them!

Nice crab, Spence!

 Kelsey and Marli, living it up on the paddle board!!

Of course, I had to get this shirt since it had the Argentina Flag on it for the World Cup!!

 Back in our hotel room, we were short a bed and they were out of roll aways---so we just made a little bed with the two chairs.  How awesome is it that Hailey is still little enough to pull this off?  Those days are numbered for us----but we got lucky.  She was a great sport about it too!  So cute!

 We stayed at the Marriott in Dana Point.  It was really nice with great views of the ocean.

 It was right here that Tom and I sat with our Ipads and we received Kohler's first email from the MTC.  We were SO excited we could hardly contain ourselves!!!

 This is what we saw from our morning walks down from the hotel.  It was beautiful!!!

This is exactly what I wanted to sit and look at---while reflecting on the events of the past few weeks.  How grateful I am  . . .

Oh, Kelsey also attended EFY in Santa Barbara from July 7-12 then stayed with Marli for a few days afterwards.  They had a really great time!

Fun Fourth Filled with Frolic and Faves!

Well, my Fourth of July week started out on a sad note . . . I decided to cancel my yearly exodus to Utah and stay home to help get our business ready to open.  For the past 10 years I have made my way to Utah and enjoyed the beautiful weather and summer thunderstorms.  (LOVE those!)  But this year, I just had to make a choice and even though I missed seeing Kelsey dance in Stadium of Fire (for her 5th year in a row) I have been incredibly busy and am glad I was here to help.  

Ever since Kelsey was a little girl, we had this little "thing" that I would say, "My Kelsey" and she would say, "My Mommy."  I am so glad that she hasn't gotten sick of that or too old for that!

 I went looking for Hailey the morning after Kelsey left and I found her asleep in Kelsey's bed.  She said, "Mom, I just feel safe in Kelsey's room.  (very insightful!) Plus, she has a really soft, fuzzy orange pillow!!

 Kohler had some friends over this week from his EFY group.  This one, in particular, has caught his eye.  She is a doll!  We absolutely LOVE her!!!  Her name is Lexi.  She helped Hailey make brownies!

 Since I have always been out of town for the 4th, I didn't have any decorations.  Well, we couldn't have that, now could we?  So, check out these awesome fabric lanterns that I found at Rod Works for only $5!  

 Yummy Red, White, and Blue Crepe Breakfast!  Oh yeah . . .

 My awesome helpers getting our food ready for the big party!

 I was super excited when Tim, my hilarious brother in law, called to see what we were doing on the 4th.  He lives up in Scottsdale and his wife and kids are up in Utah (with Kelsey!).  I am SO glad he called us because it was so much fun having one of my "faves" with us on the 4th of July.  Speaking of faves, Tim is the biggest fan of deviled eggs and Mountain Dew I have ever seen.  Of course I had to have those for him!

 Another one of my "faves" - my awesome sister, Melanie (here in one of her signature goofy poses! ha ha!) - has her birthday on the 4th of July!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELANIE!!!

Kohler's EFY company got SO close during EFY that they named a Facebook page after their group, "GOT SERVED."  They keep in touch and all got together for a party at our house on the 4th.  It was awesome!  They are all amazing kids and we LOVED having them over.

 Of course, we broke out the ice and made a TON of shave ice for them!

Lexi and her awesome friend, Rachel!

 I am so thankful to live in a country where we can get together with family and friends without soldiers or guards asking us where we are going or what we are doing.  I am thankful that I can fly my nation's flag outside my home with pride for what it stands for.  I love this nation and am so thankful to all of the men and women who, on a daily basis, strive to protect that freedom for me and my family.  We are so truly blessed!