The 4th Weekend

All in all, we had a nice, long, holiday weekend. We got to spend some much-needed quality time at home, BBQing and hanging out in our own back yard and eating in our new porch, but also didn't miss out on the traditional 4th of July at the Spicer parade with the Benson's and Grandma and Grandpa Benson's farm afterward. We were missing Mitchell, as he spent the weekend with his mom and relies in WI.



Mmmm....

Double Mmmm....

No, I most certainly did not let Grant run around naked in the back yard... as usual, he escaped during a clothing change.


Joel pitching the ball to daddy... I love this, because nobody had actually taught him to throw like this (lifting leg, etc)... just must watch Mitchell, and baseball on TV with dad, I guess :)


Jeff, demonstrating how to run through the sprinkler (it took Joel quite awhile to get brave enough to do it.



Grant would always run up REALLY close to the sprinkler and then realize he had gotten way too close, after the fact. Funny, the difference between 1 year olds and 2 year olds... (or maybe just the difference between Joel and Grant, I'm not sure). Joel's approach is think carefully first, then act, while Grant's approach is act first, then think. Funny.


Joel, still contemplating a run through the sprinkler (note, dry hair)


Saturday morning at the Spicer parade. The parade did not start well for Joel... MULTIPLE fire trucks and rescue vehicles all with sirens going and horns honking. Joel just kept saying "go away, go away". He was pretty scared whenever he saw a big truck, for the rest of the parade, but was brave enough to collect candy and watch the rest of the parade, which I was thankful for.



Eventually, Joel and Aunt Dar got a little routine going... whenever a siren or loud horn was coming, he would go to Dar's lap and she would cover his ears until the noise passed.


The only routine this little guy had going, was his mission to bolt across the street as fast as his little legs could go. Jeff and I took turns running out to get him and hauling him back. He never gave up though. I was glad it was a pretty short parade :)


Cousins Jayna and Lincoln watching the parade with us.

Eating back at Grandmas.

I really didn't get many good pictures this day. In hindsight, I missed out on pictures of the animals at the farm, Grandma and Grandpa Benson, etc... but maybe next year, when Grant hopefully isn't about to be in grave danger at any moment, by running in the street, rolling off a curb, running out to meet the dogs and horses in the parade, running out to see the horses at the farm, etc.... maybe then I will get some better pictures :)