The Fourth

Happy Fourth of July Everyone! We sure enjoyed ours. The kids were so excited! They hadn't really done fireworks before because in the city you can't do them, so it was fun to be here and do them together.

 Sparklers!

 didn't love the sound ha

 couldn't stop covering his ears just in case there was a unexpected pop!

 getting eaten by mosquito's...

 Cute kids

The Layton's

The ward had a breakfast bright and early! The best part, the bike parade. Mostly I was worried that they were all going to crash into each other and it was going to turn into a disaster. It was great though, only a few little scraped knees. In parades like that you have to learn to fend for yourself. The Bishop led the parade...on whatever you want to call that thing.

 The bishop on a motorcycle... or something like it

Blake all worn out! 

 Sweaty boys

Cute Elle

 In New Canaan they have a tradition that everyone in the town meets at one big park (Waverny Park) for a big picnic, band, and games before the AMAZING firework show. The park opened at 5 and we were one of the first cars in line, this is serious business here. We spent all day making fun picnic food, it was pretty hard to get the kids to leave it alone until 5 ha. It was a fun atmosphere and all the mormons gather in one place in the park haha so we had a good time with all the ward members. The boys were so sweaty from running around that their heads were soaked! Nate was playing soccer with Bryant when he just dropped his pants in the middle of the field... I guess when you have to go you have to go. Nate tried to shield him but it was pretty hilarious to watch from the blanket. The kids had a good time and the firework show was the best any of us had ever seen. They did a great job.

Picnic!

 Just finding ways to entertain himself before the show

The band was so cute! It was all these old people all dressed up. We loved it. 

We had a lot of fun celebrating but we had Alpine on our mind the whole time. We are so sad about what has been burned. We are grateful for the rain and that the fireman are getting control, but it's so hard to see what has been lost. We have spent a lot of time on FaceTime watching the fire and talking to loved ones. My family was evacuated but is now home safe and I think most of the homes are pretty safe, it's just so unfortunate that the beautiful mountain we love is burned to a crisp. While on FaceTime with Nate's dad the channel 2 news was at their home, so we talked to channel 2 news from Connecticut, kinda funny. The kids were funny, they said, "We are sure glad you aren't in Utah getting burned by that fire, good thing you came to live with us."

Couldn't be more heartbroken... It will be so sad to go home and see a barren burned mountain. That mountain is what made our backyard and view so beautiful. I'm grateful for all those who risked their lives to save our home and many others, but it is sure hard to watch something so beautiful burn and know that it will take a lifetime to grow back.