Fourth of July!!

The usual festivities at the park were cancelled due to Covid-19 and so we did our own thing for the Fourth of July this year! (The city still had a parade and a road race, but we weren't thrilled with the parade in the past and so we passed on that.) Janelle's friend, Porter Radley, is starting his mission in a few days and so he wanted to go do something with friends. So Janelle, Jaiden, Emily, Tanisha and Porter went bowling for a few hours today. Emily creamed them all.

Janelle went to a work BBQ and then spent the rest of the evening with friends. The rest of the family (and some friends) had a rousing game of pool volleyball -- boys against the girls (girls lost) and then had a barbecue. Jaiden and Emily went to a work party at Dixie pool (even though Jaiden hasn't officially started her job yet) and then they joined up with the rest of us at the Williams for rootbeer floats and fireworks!

Allison sent me some pictures she had taken of the girls with the big box of fireworks along with a picture from 2014 of Jenna and Clarissa standing in front of a big box of fireworks. The box is probably about the same size, but the girls have sure grown! Jenna and Clarissa used to be the same height, but look how tall Clarissa is now! 

Fourth of July!!

Friday 4:  Happy Fourth of July!  It was a bit strange (and kind of sad) to be gone from our family during the Fourth of July and not doing all of the traditional things that we normal do.  The EFY participants were really hyped up in the morning.  I announced the birthdays (like I did each morning) and everyone was hollering and shouting.  The birthdays came up and then I asked “Is there any other birthdays?”  Someone shouted, “America!”  Oh, of course – America!  So I said, “Happy Birthday America!” and everyone was hooping and hollering.  It was pretty crazy! 

Rick taught the morning-side and luckily the kids quieted right down for it.  Then the kids did the “Preach My Gospel” activity.  Rick and I went to lunch and then it was the Variety Show, which is always a lot of fun.  There was some great talent in the group!  Rick and I left after that to go fill up our car before turning it in tomorrow.  We also took a quick little nap and then met the Field Coordinators during dinner to review the week and what went well and what could be improved upon.  I have to say that one of the best things about this session is the food!  This cafeteria is way better than BYU’s! There was several different choices at every meal – and so I was always able to find something that was gluten free.  One of the choices was always some kind of meat – chicken, turkey, beef, etc. and some kind of potatoes and vegetables. 

Since Rick and I were out of town, Allison Williams and I had arranged for my kids to go to their house for the Fourth of July Festivities tonight. They had a BBQ and snacks and homemade ice-cream. They played with clay and lit fireworks and had a movie party. They were pretty excited about it and had a great time. Jase and Jared went to friends’ houses and Janika ended up home alone since her work shift was cancelled and Mitch was out of town and her friends already had plans.  She said she didn’t mind it though!