Fourth of July (and a little extra)

 We had a fun, yet laid back, Fourth of July this year. It was just our family of four enjoying the day in our little hometown of Grantsville. We started off going to the parade. The girls did great through it. They weren't smiling a ton, as you can see in the pictures, but they were very intrigued by all the different things going by. The best part was that Fanny wasn't crying like she did last year whenever she heard the fire trucks and police sirens, or someone was squirting water. I think both girls were just happy that we were getting some candy! Oh, and check out Joseph's shirt. Haha!! I asked him when we got to the parade if he realized what shirt he had on. He said, "A red one." I told him to look at what was written on it. He didn't even think about the fact that his shirt was an ENGLAND soccer shirt :-). Kind of ironic. I got a real kick out of it. He just threw on that shirt because it was red. Hehe!    

Enjoying some time at the park. They have a huge car show here every 4th, with all kinds of vendors, entertainment, and activities for kids. We didn't stick around for a lot of it, but the girls got to play on the playground for a little bit.

What was really fun was just spending some time together at home.

YAY!!! Fanny actually got IN the pool! She had so much fun, too. Nora wouldn't get in, but she would act like she wanted to, and then back away when we would go to lift her in. Maybe another day... We thought our little set up with the slide was pretty sweet. Too bad the girls never tried it out, though. Oh, and do you notice something different in this picture? We put grass in the back yard!!! Joseph installed the whole sprinkler system himself. He also did in our front yard when we first moved here. It has been wonderful to have grass in the back now! Next year we should be putting in a shed and a fence!!

Enjoying a strawberry.

Super cool chick!

Haha, funny face!

Nora helping Daddy in the garden.

She is so funny!

This isn't related to the 4th, but has anyone noticed in my past few posts that Fanny got a haircut? You can go back to her birthday post to see how long it was before the cut. I shed a tear when it was done, but have come to LOVE it! Here she is in sponge curlers. Not sure how often we will do those. It comes out a little too curly sue :-). 

Sisters having fun! Fanny and Nora are adorable with each other lately. I often hear them giggling together and find them doing the cutest things. Fanny has nicknamed Nora "Puppet." It is so funny. I have never used that name and have no clue where she picked it up, but she uses it all the time. "That puppet needs her lunch." "My puppet went outside." "Puppet, are you coming?" It is awesome! So now we call Nora, "Puppet."

They love to go outside and play together. Sometimes they just sit and watch whatever is going by. I have had several people ask me if they are twins. Can you believe it?! They are a little over two years apart. Fanny is just small, or petite, as I like to call  her, and Nora is growing like a weed. She is actually only about an inch or two shorter than Fanny.   

We were having our morning devotional the other day (sing songs, say a prayer, say pledge, go over what day it is on calendar, see what the weather is like today, etc.) and when we were singing, Fanny wanted to conduct the music. Both girls had a turn. The pictures didn't turn out that great, but they were both so cute. 

They love to pretend to take naps. They lie down with a pillow and blankie, close their eyes, and make snoring sounds. Funny girls!

It's always fun to eat popcorn in a laundry basket with your sister!

So, these past few pictures weren't related to Independence Day, but I thought I would include them anyway. I'm definitely grateful to live in the USA. Sure, our country is not perfect, but it is a choice land and I feel blessed to be here! Joseph and I ended the day watching the firework show from outside our house. The girls, especially Fanny, hate fireworks. So we decided to not even put them through it. Grantsville puts on an amazing show every year that people from all around come to see. Hope everyone (in the States) had a nice holiday last week! God bless the USA!!!