July 24th

We woke up early to celebrate Pioneer Day.  We packed a cooler and piled the kids into the car, driving into the valley for the big parade.  We found a spot and were soon joined by some friends and Grandma and Grandpa (our annual tradition).  We shared snacks, enjoyed the bands and admired the floats.  I watched the runners, more than once wish I had committed to that morning's half marathon (oh well, next year then!).  The girls loved playing with their friends and bounced back and forth between our picnic spot under the trees and their spot among the crowd, closer to the floats.  After the parade finished, our party continued over lunch at an Italian restaurant where A demonstrated her great love for spaghetti and E mostly just bounced from one lap to another.  But L sat closely with her long time best friend, playing and talking and coloring happily.

Eventually we parted ways and ran a few errands.  That evening we spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house for a bbq and fireworks.  Daddy did the honors, conducting our fireworks show while the girls squealed and shrieked, professing their admiration or distaste for the various effects.

The next day, we packed and readied so as soon as Daddy was finished with work, we hooked up our trailer and set out to go camping with my family.  However, the drive took much longer than anticipated with not just one, but two blown tires.  We arrived at camp very late, after all the other kids were in bed and settled into the same as well.

But then we got to spend the whole next day playing.  The kids rode the loop around camp endlessly on their scooters and especially loved the puzzles I had brought.  In the afternoon we visited a nearby splash pad and were very impressed with how big and creative and fun it had been made.  The kids had a blast and lasted a long while.  Back at camp, the kids disappeared again to play with cousins, games of pretend or with toys or taking hikes.  They all came running back for campfire cones for dessert of course and worn out from a busy hot day, were easy to put to bed.

We spent one more morning playing, enjoying our relaxed atmosphere and freedom to run before finally heading home in the afternoon...and quickly making site reservations for another weekend coming soon.