July 4th, Babysitting, and Lagoon!

It's been a while since my last post, so I guess I'll update with some pictures and whatnot.

We got together on the 5th of July for a mighty fine shindig at Wes and Liz's place.  Everyone but Lydia was there, which hasn't happened for quite some time.  Wes barbecued us up some grub (and did a mighty fine job, though Dad wanted his crispy and black), and we spent some time jawing around a firepit.  I didn't feel particularly good, but still had lots of fun.

Violet enjoyed the celebrations as well, and was in a very good mood throughout the evening.

 That's a picture of Violet's very lovely mother, Liz, as she's making sure not to burn marshmallows for a S'more.

Adelle really enjoyed her gooey S'more.  Almost as much as throwing snaps on the ground.

Jeff had a few issues with his mallows, but burnt is the way Lexi loves 'em!  As for me, I prefer not to eat them at all unless I feel in the best of health.

Dad really enjoyed sitting back and relaxing.  You can see a whole bunch of bits of paper on the ground behind him--those are all from snaps.  Kyle bought a huge box.

Kyle and Dustin were very excited for it to get dark enough to light fireworks.

As was I.

Unfortunately, my battery died so I couldn't take any pictures of said fireworks.  But it was a blast.  I lit my very first firework all by myself!  And taught Adelle how to properly handle sparklers. We had quite the row of fireworks leftover at the end of the evening, and then I had to go to work.  :(  Still, it was great being with almost all the family for the afternoon!  We've plans to meet again on the 25 to celebrate Pioneer Day.  Hopefully I'll have more pictures.

This past week, Mom and I have been watching Lydia, Adelle, and Violet so that Liz could go in to work for some training.  It was fun.  And exhausting!  I'd forgotten what being around six-month-olds and six-year-olds was like.  Eep!  Still, it was great.

One day, Mom was kinda tired so I took over to let her sleep in some more and took Violet downstairs to look at some of my toys.  She really liked a baby doll that I have, so I snapped a few cute pictures of her.

Which one is real?  Just kidding.  It's pretty obvious.  Violet is much cuter and has less hair.

On Wednesday, since I didn't have to go to work, I decided to take the girls (sans Violet) to Lagoon for the day.  And since we washed my car the day before, you finally get to see it!  Wahoo!

Lydia definitely posed for this one.  That's okay.  The Roller Coaster in the background is the one that Adelle was terrified to go on before...but she went on it again!  She was so brave--she only screamed while we were going down the hills.

 This is a picture of her right before going on said roller coaster.  She looks a little nervous, don't you think?

Though the line for Rattlesnake Rapids was short enough we went on it twice, Lydia looks a bit bored in this picture.  She was playing with her hair.  She looks quite lovely with it up, doesn't she?

Adelle ran through the fountains several times.  Here she is very wet waiting to go on Dracula's Castle.  One of the workers hopped on the back of our car and scared me to death when he tapped my shoulder.  I almost screamed.  People coming up from behind me scare me the most in haunted houses...

It was great being able to spend so much time with my nieces!