The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

**Warning to all,

this IS my most favorite time of year, 

therefore, we have A LOT of pictures.

And all of them didn't even make it!**

It came. . .

and we celebrated for four days

and now it's over.

I love the 24th!

I personally think that it should be 

a national holiday, because it is so fun.

(honestly, I thought it was until I was way to old!)

The first thing we did was the 

STOCK PARADE!

A super fun, super fast parade

with mostly animals, 

kicking off the 

RODEO!!

We have made it a tradition to get a Hawaiian Ice.

YUMMY!

I love Kevin and Jace's face, 

they look the same!

Kade showing off his ice.

Kevin and I shared, 

and we didn't even make a dent!

Kade liked looking down main street, 

to tell us how far away the parade was. 

Jace having a fantastic time

(he loves the 24th too!)

He really did love it he clapped and clapped.

Kade with his hand over his heart,

he loved watching the horses 

and the American Flag!

The next night we went to the 

RODEO!

I seriously could go every night!

My mom even made it this year!

And this is proof!

Jake is behind, to the left, and Jackson to the right of

Lafe, Kaleb, and Silas

Wyatt is behind then Nicole, Brinley, and Matt

Todd is behind 

our good friends Bryson & Jenn

 with their daughter Payton.

Brinley looking too cute!

Brinley and Karlee

Grandma and Austin

The rodeo was awesome!  

It got us ready for the next day, Kades first

FISH RODEO!

Where you get in a big area of water & catch a fish.

(with your bare hands or a net)

You can keep it, or donate it back.

Jackson, Karlee and Kade

ready to grab some fish!

He opted for the net (smart boy).

I love that face!

Showing off the fish.

And now you get to see him.

Once again he was a smart boy and decided 

to donate the fish back.

We let him decide, but I think the 

candy did the talking!

I'm pretty sure, Jace is thinking,

"Why does Kade get to have all the fun?"

After the fish rodeo, 

we played in the park.

Jackson got in the dunk tank.

And loved getting dunked!

Now Kade is thinking, 

"Why do they get to have all the fun!"

Here's Karlee

And there she goes!

The actual day of the 24th

started off at the fire station to watch the 

GRAND PARADE!

Which may be the longest parade ever! 

But you're with family and friends and it is 

just plain fun!

Grandma and Jace watching the parade.

I told you lots of family and friends.

For some reason Kade brought his binoculars. 

I have no idea why, but thought it was pretty cute.

Kade was not a happy camper.

He woke up on the wrong side of the bed, 

but we got through it!

Thank goodness for nice cousins.

That night we went to my brother Todds house

and had a total party before the city fireworks.

My awesome cousin Jana came down for all the fun.

I am so glad her and her kids have been down for the last two years, 

and hope they make it a yearly tradition!

Her daughter Kiah and Jace were always together.

He loved her!

To start off the party, the boys had 

fireworks with parachutes and army men.

The kids loved it.

Kade is showing off one of his.

That little dot in the sky, 

that's what they would all chase after.

Karlee,  showing off hers.

Since we knew it was going to be a late night, 

We got Jace all ready for bed.

But of course he didn't sleep.

We are way to much fun!

Kade got one with an army guy!

As I've said before, 

Kevin is the biggest kid of them all!

It was a beautiful night!

Jumping...

getting pulled in the wagon....

and eating and drinking yummy stuff.

We even had Kiah sing the 

National Anthem

(without holding Jace!)

Ready for the fireworks!

The boys and their loot!

We had such great time.

Our fireworks were great, 

the City fireworks were great, 

and we were with the ones we love!

See why I love the 24th!

To me, it's better then Christmas!