"Jewel" ly 4th

It all began in the car seat.....going off to different destinations in Utah for a amazing adventure with Sienna who has never been around so many kids and dogs in her life. I can't possibly post all the pictures but here are some highlights of our trip.

Aubrey (a cousin) and Sienna were attached at the hip. Aubrey could make Sienna laugh easily.

She loves her.

Left to right. Lisa, Aubrey, my brother Mark, and Emily.

Auntie Irlene, Little Lukey, Willy and big Joe. Big meaning 6'5 kind of big.

My brother Mark and I.

Here is what kids look like after you tell them they can only get a little wet at the water shoots at Gateway. In case you can't tell...they are drenched.

Sienna planning her route. She got in with all the big kids and as usual was the smallest lil' taco out there.

Things I miss about Utah: picking cherries with Auntie Irlene.

Lisa's famous sheet cake.

I miss these two big time! We hit up the Provo parade which outside of Washington DC it's the largest viewed parade with 250,000 spectators.

I loved seeing all the kids sitting on the ladder of the firetruck. We had so much candy thrown at us we weren't sure if it was Halloween or the 4th.

We had great seats right at the beginning of the parade. Willy kept telling me that I take more pictures than anyone he has ever known. Uh, that's a compliment!

Sienna was waving to everybody, ate mucho candy and made a mess of her clothes. She STILL won't wear a clip in her hair, I keep trying but it's NOT working.

This was touching to see the missionaries marching proudly in the parade. It was a sight to see them dressed in their white shirts walking with big smiles and representing well.

Then over the river to see the Woods to grandmother's house we go- Sienna and I at the park with Steve and his dog, Alice and Laura. Really, we were at Alice's Grandma's house and we had a blast.

The view from Laura's backyard on the night of the 4th while the babies were in bed. Incredible.

Laura and the babes at the park. Laura and I had such a good time that it was hard to leave. I took an insane amount of pictures of Alice and Sienna. They were adorable together. I miss Laura in Pasadena but was grateful she let me crash her 4th plans and hang with as much as we could! How I miss these guys.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple. I walked through this new fav. of mine while Sienna was napping at Kristy's house which is right across the street. The temple: It's small but the brides room was very charming and the chandelier in the celestial room is breathtaking. I didn't post a photo because they don't do it justice. It's so much better in person.

Blast from the past, my old college roommate from Utah State and her three darlings. I called them Neapolitan ice cream with hair colors of strawberry, one chocolate and one vanilla.

Here she is Kristy who would always leave me the BEST scripture quotes in cards and take me on great hikes. Our little ones were caught smooching around the corner...uh oh.

Alice sure knows how to pose for the camera. I love this picture of her...I have tons but this captures her personality the best.

Sienna loves the adventure of going down the slides by herself. I couldn't get her off of them until she was distracted by a dog. Is anybody really surprised?

My old Lancome boss Alys. By far the sweetest boss I have ever had. She has two darling kids, two dogs, was dog sitting a third, and this new little kitty cat. I got out of there before the sneezing started in. I also discovered Sienna broke out in a red splotchy rash afterwards. Poor girl hasn't got a chance.

So- we end in the car seat. It was a magical and fast trip but hopefully next time I get to see a few others that I am sad I didn't get to see this round. I guess I could have seen some people at three am because I wasn't sleeping much so maybe next time I will find all the insomniacs out there and plan accordingly. :)