how to get anna to take a nap (24th of july celebrations)

"We need to commit to serve the Lord and our communities with the same diligence and faith that the pioneers had. We must ever be on our guard that we do not become casual in keeping God's commandments, in abiding by His laws, and in being honest and trustworthy in all that we do."

Hooray for pioneer day!  It's amazing what they did!  May we all remember what they did and not let their hardwork go to waste!

 After room time we headed to the library for dance class.  There was a fire alarm during the dance class, which was exciting.  But apparently everything was fine, so after dance we hung out at the library for a good couple of hours reading books and finding bird books to check out.

 From there we came home and made cookies for grandma heiner's party and went to grandma heiners.  The cousins were all there.  Anna had a great time putting rhinestones on things with the girls, playing in the playhouse with all the kids and esp playing legos with Gavin and Remi.  Julia had a great time trying to get everyone to feed her rootbeer and junk.  She ate no dinner.  Neither of them did actually, which is odd for my kids.

 Andy and Rich went to the shooting place (range...what is it called?) to try andy's guns.  Looks like he had a good time.  I put julia to bed at 7 and we headed up to the park.

 My mom's neighbor leann has a nome garden that anna loves.  she knows right where it is and has to stop and check on those gnomes everytime we go to the park.

 Anna couldn't handle having shoes on, so off they came and she ran around with her cousies at the park while we all sat and enjoyed the nice cool evening.  She is super cute with Evan and Remi.  They were playing some sort of preschooler freeze tag.

 To get them home grandma said "I have a surprise for you!" and they all came running.

We then headed over to meuller park Jr. high to watch the fireworks.  It was a long uphill hike, but anna made it!  We played with glow sticks until they started.

 love that anna and grandma have the same expression.  nice pants mom!

 evan  I had to brighten these so you could see.

 i thought this one of remi was cool unbrightened.  you can kind of see his face.

 virginia, andy, chloe, amber, jane amy and kelby in background.

 at 10 the show started!

 anna was terrified.  she held this expression for a good 10 minutes.  then she relaxed and enjoyed the show.

 So anna went to bed at like 11:00 and she woke up at 8ish.  So we decided we could make it to the parade.  Anna insisted on wearing a "pretty dress" to the parade that "twirls"  So she did.  I parked aways a away and ran to the parade's end at liberty park.  Just as we pulled into the marathon block, I saw my uncle bill running the marathon!  so we cheered him on and went to see him and aunt annette at the finish.  we chatted, my uncle is amazing.  Then he gave us some creamies and the girls loved it!  We wandered around and found a place to sit.

 we got front row seating next to some disabled people that camped all night.

 julia loved the parade.  anna did too, but she was just a blob.  Julia was up and pointing and talking and dancing and waving a clapping.  she was adorable.

 this one is for you joyce!  the Y

 julia's favorite was the noah's ark ones because she is really into learning about animals and their noises lately.

 this is the float our stake made.  it was built across the street from out house.  anna waited for it with great anticipation

 horses, neigh!

 it was hot!

 i got them some popcorn at the grocery store.  it was the healthiest snack food i could find.

 we went through a lot of water.  thank goodness it was overcast!

 anna is saying "i love the parade!"  julia fell asleep once we started walking back to the car.

 all tuckered out.  with popcorn on her thighs.

thank goodness anna consented to a nap.  she has been out for 30 minutes.  woot woot!