The last of our weeks in Logan.

 I'm not sure when or where the tradition started, or if it is even a tradition really...but the men have taken the kids on a hike almost every time we have been together as a family.  The kids really had a good time.

 The Cache Valley Cruise in.  I'm going to say, it has been better in past years.  The cars weren't as cool, and there weren't as many of them.  But who can resist a bright orange low rider?  Actually my favorite were the big jacked up Broncho's.

 I thinks the kids' favorite part was the root beer.

 The girlies had a slumber party.  Ice cream cones in your pj's...the best!

 I can't remember the name of this place in North Logan, but it had a big indoor playground, an arcade, a bowling alley, and a rollerskating rink.  It brought back so many memories.  I wanted to put on a pair of skates so bad!!!

 Parker, Maryn, and Gordon found another use for the skating rink...

Parker showed off his mad skills...

The gang.

You can't know where you're going until you know where you came from.

 We went to the Willard cemetery to see some of Grandad's ancestors. 

 George Welton Ward was the first Ward family member to join the church and come to America from England.

 He is buried in Willard with his wife and children. 

 It was neat to show the kiddos all the head stones with "Ward" on them, and tell them a little bit about where they come from.

 And of course you can't go to a cemetery without playing a little Bubblegum Bubblegum in a Dish!

 Reilynn refused to move from in front the headstone where is says Ward. 

 Then we attempted again and Parker was squeezing Kasidee's hand too hard.

 "Why do we have to have a stupid family picture anyway?!?"  "Just smile!"

 Reilynn, Lorelai, and Max.

 The dudes.

I hope that we can keep these relationships strong.  My cousins are my best friends, and I hope my kids can have those same friendships!

Stinkin' Camera!

Being the professional photographer that I am, I noticed that my camera was on the wrong setting and kept it that way on purpose.  I thought the over-exposed beach pictures would be awesome. 

 (I'm so mad!  These could have been really cute pictures...but, as I tell my kiddos, "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit".)

 We packed up the family and headed to Bear Lake.  We drove forever...complaining about where in the world uncle Mike was taking us, and then ate our words...it was awesome!

 Little Max had a really fun time with his squirt gun.  Aunt Jen really liked it! :)

 You can't tell from the pictures, but the water was so clear and really blue.  It was almost being at the ocean.  We even had a soft sandy beach...perfect for... 

...Jackson to impersonate Hasselhoff in his find of the century swimsuit.  Jackson, you crack me up!  

 Then the guys decided the conditions were perfect for a friendly game of beach football.  I was the good supportive wife that caught Mark's touchdown/kneedown (?) on camera.

Here is my cute niece Samantha.

 My mother-in-law, Judy, and sister-in-law Michelle, had the right idea and brought their chairs into the water to watch the game and all the little kiddos playing.

Kas and Lauren, having fun in the sand.
  I love seeing cousins making fun memories!

4th of Juy

 We started out the morning with a fun small town parade, complete with rodeo royalty.  Is there anything better than starched teal wranglers...I think not.

 These two cuties were trying to be extra cute to get more candy, and it worked like a charm.

 After the parade we went up to the quad on USU to play a little kick-ball (which I managed to not capture with a single picture).  Then we corralled the grand kids (plus a few-Patrick's kids) for a picture. 

 And if you call yourself an Aggie, you can't leave without taking a couple pictures on the A table.

 We are definitely Aggies!!!

 And so are Mike and Jen...

 And Patrick and Lisa.

 And what is a family reunion without a little friendly competition...who is the fastest?  I think McKay claimed it.

 And then the grand kids had to follow suit.

 Followed by more pictures...Monte and Jennifer, we missed you!

 And then we headed over to Mike's work to have a family dinner in the conference room, and light up some sparklers.

 These little fun fire sticks are so stinkin' dangerous.  Why we think they are the perfect thing to hand a 2 year old is beyond me.

 Here you go, have a burning piece of metal that you could poke yourself, or anyone near with.  But look at that happy smiling dirty face...

But I can get on board with the pop things...little bags of gun powder.   Little Bassett was jumping as high as his little legs could get him, and throwing them down as hard as he could.  He was having a blast!!!

 The masses.

 Oh, two two-year-olds.  "Let's share our fire..."

 Nice choice of clothing Parker...Red, white, and blue!  Good worker.

 Then after all the fire sticks and gun powder packets were extinguished, we let the teenage boys light the bigger stuff.

 Which consisted of some screamers, stink bombs, buzzing bees...and all were a huge hit.

 Little Preston had the best seat in the house.  He loves his daddy!

Somehow, this picture is out of order, but it is a cute one to end with.  Hope y'all had a safe and fun 4th of July.  I know we did.