Oh, what do you do in the summertime?

Just a small update of what we have been doing to fill in our summer days around here. We were able to go to the 24th of July parade--can you believe it was my first time ever? I'm not sure how I worked that, but it was fun...and hot...
I geared the kids up for candy--and there was no candy. I felt kinda bad about that. But there were a ton of police motorcycles--they almost ran over my toe once--Kennedy screamed cause she thought they were going to run her over and she also made me cover her ears with my hands. The best is when they would turn on their sirens while right in front of you--I seriously have hearing loss from this parade!
Sweet Henry B. Eyering was there--my claim to fame--he waved at me :) I'm pretty sure it was me....
Bridger loved every second of this parade until it started getting hotter and hotter and there was no candy. We stuck around for an hour and a half and then had to make our exit--It was for the best. Next year, we'll find a shady spot.
We stopped at Ben's Cookies on our way home (sooooo good!) and then the kids fell fast asleep--even with chocolate on their little faces. I love the way they can sleep at any angel--I wish I was a little more flexible that way!
Notice Kennedy's death grip on her princess? Even while she's sleeping?

Last Saturday we went hiking (with my mom and brother and sister-in-law) up Millcreek Canyon--it was so pretty, but really steep. I enjoy more the leisurely hikes that don't involve heavy breathing and sweating :) I guess it's good to branch out every once in a while. Here's Bridger all ready to go with his camelback. He got this for his birthday from Grandma and Grandpa. He LOVES it! But, I have had to banish him from it except for hiking purposes. Classic story: We filled up the camelback and he drank the whole thing after breakfast one day. Had to go to the airport. He went potty before we left. And then we had to stop 4 more times (including at an empty grocery store parking lot where I was nervous of the transients) on our 30 minute drive. I told myself "never again".
Jeremy had Kennedy on his back and I brought an extra backpack to carry Bridger just in case he got tired. Well, he did get tired...but, I was tired too--so I made him keep walking. He walked the whole way--almost 4 miles! And I carried that backpack for nothing.

This week we went to Thanksgiving Point--how have we never been to the discovery gardens? Craziness. Well, we made it, with my sister Rebecca, and we had a great time. I think we will be going once a week from now on.

And the latest craze in the Nielson household is having tea parties. I have a miniature porcelain tea set that I let the kids play with every now and again, but this time they wanted a real party. So, I told them to run upstairs and get "fancy" and I would set out the tea party. I put out a nice tablecloth, with a vase of flowers and our nice/breakable dishes. We had chocolate milk, m&ms and goldfish and then I turned on 'Waltz in A Flat Major'--Bridger requested 'Who Let The Dogs Out' but I thought classical was a little more appropriate--he didn't agree.
So, look how they came downstairs.

Bridger: fishing hat? check. Tie? check. Ghetto ripped up camo pants? double check.

Kennedy: pink sweater from the '70s? check. Cool shades? check. 15 necklaces? check. Crumpled up tutu? double check.

Yes, my kids thought they looked good!
I tried to teach them how to eat daintily and how to use their very best manners. I also tried to teach them how to drink with their pinky up--but they were too excited about the m&ms. And can you blame them?