My little dancing queen

Yesterday Eden had a dance performance at the city park.  Every summer in Grace, there is a get together at the park where they serve dinner, have some great local entertainment, and show a movie.  Every year that we have been here so far, I think it has rained on that blessed day.  It was so warm during the day, but when we got to the park last night, the clouds looked threatening.  Sure enough, before Eden was supposed to perform, the rain started coming down HARD. 

We sat in it for a while, but then decided to head for the car.  We waited it out, and sure enough, it only lasted about 10 minutes.  We were able to go back out and watch our sweet little girl perform her dance.  She looked so darling and grown-up!

At the end of her dance, she tried to give us a wink, but it looked more like a blink with both eyes=)  I just love this little girl more than I can even express.  She is so sweet and brings so much joy to our family.  She has such a big spirit, and is so kind and loving to everyone.  I'm so grateful everyday that I got the privilege to be her mom. 

Happy 4th!

On the 4th, we had our annual Carter Family Reunion at my mom and dad's house in the canyon.  We were able to go to it this year.  It wasn't as big as it has been in years past because everyone is so spread out now.  My Aunt Marsha has 8 kids, but only 1 of them lives even remotely close.  It was fun to see some of my cousins though.  I'm one of the younger cousins though, so I was the only one there with a baby.  My mom always works so hard to make everything perfect for the reunion.  I admire her ability to get so much done and she has so much energy!  My dad smoked some ribs and brats, and the food was oh so good. 

Later that night, Clint and I took the kids to Midway to watch the fireworks at Memorial Hill.  The fireworks are so close and the kids laid on top of the van while they watched the fireworks exploding right over their heads.  It was great, and Ivy LOVED the fireworks!  She kept screaming with joy everytime they would go off. 

I love the 4th of July and I am so grateful for all the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our awesome country.  I feel so blessed to have a grandma, a grandpa, 2 brothers, and a husband who have served our country in the military.  My heart is so full of love and respect everytime we sing our National Anthem, or when I see our flag billowing in the breeze.  I am so grateful to have all the many freedoms we enjoy because of others who were willing to sacrifice.  We are so blessed.

Ivy looking cute in her red, white and blue

Clint played us some songs on my uncle Ned's guitar

Me and my sweet baby

Summer Fun Stuff

We have done some fun things so far this summer.  This week we have been at my mom and dad's house.  We came down last Thursday so I could run the Wasatch Back Ragnar over the weekend.  You can see the details of the race on my other blog:  www.itsokaytobefast.blogspot.com.
On Monday we went to Lagoon with my brother's kids.  My kids had a blast riding on the roller coasters.  This is the first time they have been on a full-size real life roller coaster and they LOVED it!  Eden was so brave and wanted to go on every ride.  Owen was a little more reserved, but he loved the old roller coaster.

Yesterday we celebrated my dad's 63rd birthday.  My dad is awesome.  He is such a great dad, grandpa, and I am so grateful for all that he does for me and my family.   He was able to come home early from work and do his favorite thing ever...sit on his couch and watch World Cup Soccer!  I love papa Ju!

Today we went with my mom to the newly remodeled Monte L. Bean Life Science museum at BYU.  It was pretty cool.  The kids loved all the great exhibits.  Ivy especially loved the animals.  She kept pointing at them and yelling.