Red, White, & Blue

July is one one of my favorite holidays of the year. Not only do I love the BBQs and family get-togethers, but I love the fact that we get to celebrate our country's freedom. I'm so thankful for all the men and women who sacrifice their time and dedicate their lives for our country. The fireworks are a great bonus too.This is me and James waiting for the fireworks to start at the stadium. We sit on the corner of the street my parents live on and take the radio with us so we can hear all that is going on at the stadium. James always has to direct traffic right after the fireworks so hanging out with my parents is the perfect location for him to take off as the finale starts.

We were waiting for the Hyrum parade to start. Candy wasn't quite the hi-light I thought it would be. Braxton is such a passive little guy, we had to guard the candy for him. He was learning the concept of candy flying through the air. He came home with lots of candy and we had our fair share as well...along with lots of fun freebies and fliers.

Here is Braxton at the annual 'Cruise In'. It's not quite like it used to be, but we have fun going every year. Braxton sits in awe as he watches the cars go by. We've sat in front of Carl's Jr. for years now and it continues to get more and more crowded on our little corner. We've started the tradition of getting a slurpee right before it starts. We were sad that Nana was sick this year and didn't come with us, but we hung out with Papa; and even got to see James for a minute before he started his long night of work.

Happy Anniversary!

I found this amazing deal on a trip/airfare to Vegas in June. Since we already had two camping trips planned in May, we planned our little adventure for the next month. We had a blast and wore ourselves out. We discovered the bus! I know sounds silly, but it was the cheapest way to get up and down the strip. We rode to Freemont Street twice. The first night we got there too late for the light show they have...so James wanted to go back again. We had fun watching an amazing artist there paint with spray paint. AND another highlight...I got to eat at Cheesecake Factory. YUM!

James anxious to get to our luggage. We had a flight delay both ways. Next time we'll just drive. We almost would have saved time and we'd have more fun.

Our hotel, MGM. We discovered a short cut out of this hotel the last night we stayed. Go figure! I think they said this place sits on 32 acres or something. The pool was divine...just like in the movies. I could have hung out at the pool the entire time I was there.

We went to see the show Ka that was in our hotel. I thought it was so awesome. People had a hard time following the story line, but I thought it was great!

Blue Man Group. Need I say more? James has been wanting to see these guys for years and we've just never done it. There show was hilarious and a little sticky...after I was sprayed with bananas. We'd go see these guys again for sure!

Rain Forest Cafe is one of my favorite places to eat. We've started going there at least once when we go. This time was more convenient since it's at the MGM. Yay! I can't wait to take Braxton there one day.

James has this obsession with taking pictures of me while I'm eating...ever since we were dating. I dunno! This time I set it up...not really...but I think it's funny the dessert sign is ironically above my head as I eat breakfast...that I found in the dessert section they had set up for lunch.

This was a much needed most fabulous get-a-way trip. Only the second time we've ever left Braxton. I missed him muchly, but it was good for our little family. HUGE thank you to my most wonderful little sister Ashley who took him for the four days we were gone.

Memorial Day

Hanging out around the campfire...one of our favorite things.

So, you all may think I'm a little strange cause I'm posting a blog entry from 'May', but my OCD won't let me miss an entry...I'm trying to catch up.
The last weekend of May has become a family tradition to go camping at Alred Flats campground in Wyoming. There are always other family members that meet up with us there. We're never sure what kind of party we're in for until we get there. This year was very rainy and cold, but fun. We always drive over to the cemetery in Afton and typically have lunch at the park one of the days we're there, but it was too cold this year. We've been camping so much this summer that our trailer is literally becoming our second home. Braxton absolutely loves it.

Bear Lake Trip

This was our second camping trip with the Vernon's to Bear Lake. We actually camp at Beaver Mountain and then drive down for a day. We had a lot of fun with them and the day was perfect. Braxton loved the water. I didn't think he would go for it since it was so cold, but he proved me wrong.
My favorite thing about this day was watching Braxton try to imitate James in making a sand castle. James would fill up a bucket with sand, pack it down, and then turn it over so it made a little sand castle. Braxton would put a few shovelfuls in the bucket and turn it over expecting it to come out the same.

Lunch on the beach

Hangin' with Dad

Bloomington Lake Hike

Braxton was not a happy camper for this little excursion. He burnt his hand on our trailer right before we left. We hiked up to the lake and watched some people on the rope swing for a while and then headed back. The Vernon's hiked around to the other side of the lake and found a log to climb on. They brought their new dog Lucy on this trip and we had a lot of fun with her.

The Vernon Clan

On our way out

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

This summer we took the opportunity to see all the airplanes we could. We went to the Logan Airport for their annual open house. Braxton got to climb on some of the airplanes/helicopters so he can see more of what dad gets to do. We were able to see some friends that we don't really see any other time of the year that fly in to help or those who just show up for the airshow. And...lunch on Leading Edge made it even better. They did a great job putting the open house together. Thanks!

Braxton standing on the runway at Logan Airport.

Braxton and Jacqui standing on one of the planes.

We also went to Hill Air Force base for the airshow. The crowds were amazing. We had only been there about 30 minutes and Braxton asked if we could go back to the car. He's not a huge crowd lover and was basically done the minute we got there. We drove to Ogden with my parents and Aunt 'Ashee' then took the front runner to Clearfield. From there, they had a bus we could ride up to the base. It worked out great and Braxton got to ride on a train too.

Our first experience on Frontrunner. We thought it was pretty fun...and convenient too.

Things were crazy loud. Braxton wasn't too sure about all the noise. And we kept telling him when the planes flew over to cover his ears. I think he just kept his ears covered most of the time. We walked through this plane, which I think was a G5, and then we set Braxton up on on one of the engines. This plane was HUGE. We didn't make it to the finale with the Firebirds...everyone was too tired to wait it out.

Father's Day Weekend

Here are my boys! Aren't they cute? Father's Day this year more consisted of the whole weekend. We were able to go to Ogden and celebrate both Father's day and James' birthday with his parents. We always enjoy going down and hanging out with them. Braxton played in the backyard and we ate at Olive Garden...our favorite. Our little family went to Bluebird to celebrate on Saturday. James loves this place and I don't agree to go there very often. Sunday, I had to give a talk in church. No, not about Father's, but about being 'Spiritually Born Again'. I was very intimidated by the topic, but grew to love it as I sifted through 50 pages of Conference talks. James is on the grave shift, so he missed out. When we got home, I made him his favorite breakfast, French toast. Later that evening we went to my dad's house for dinner. Braxton LOVES being at their house. I think he'd rather live there. James offered to leave him there for a few weeks, but I quickly shut him down on that idea. All-in-all we had a great Father's day. Braxton is so proud of his daddy and wants to be just like him one day.