Happy 4th of July!!

The 4th of July in Blanding is always great! I think I say that every year which must mean that it is true, right? I love Independence day! I love singing patriotic songs! I love seeing all the red white and blue! I love seeing hands over hearts when the flag passes by! I always get emotional. I love this country and I am so grateful for all of those who defend our freedoms!

Waiting for the parade to start

Taylor and Madison acting too cool to hang out with the little kids on the curb

Some of the men...I believe the majority of the time they were talking about the movie "the other guys."
All the girls

As I was sitting at my parents office waiting for the parade, Erin walked around the corner wearing the same shirt....oops! Twins!

Cole enjoying a monster turkey legAlly and HavynThis was not taken on the 4th but I had to include it because I loved it so much....all the girls cuddled up on the couch with grandma - priceless!

LAKE POWELL!!

There is nothing greater than a trip to Lake Powell!! It is everyone's favorite vacation! It is the best because there is something for everyone to do. The past few years we haven't been able to go as often as we'd like so we were very excited to be able to make the trip this year! The whole Halls' side was able to attend for the entire week except for Steve who couldn't attend because of work related things.

It was so great spending a week with the entire family! The kids played from sun up to sun down (and long after that) and it was great spending time with all the adults. My family is the greatest! We have so much fun together.

Now...I had to add a lot of pictures because, you see, I have a hard time leaving any pictures out. I don't want any of them to feel bad so I include them all. Lucky for you, my camera broke during this trip so there aren't as many as I'd like.

fUn! FuN! fUn!

Day we arrived at the lake....we were headed down the lake to our camping spot.

Havyn's first time on the slide.Me getting tricky
This water mat, a new addition this year, provided hours of endless fun! It can hold up to 1800 pounds.Taylor against the boys!Davis and Cole Mud masks

Slippin' and a Slidin'Cole caught this fish with the net...who needs a poleI took this shot from our camping spot the first day...holy cow it was beautiful!
The triplets - Cydnee, Havyn and AllyMichael cooking up some ribs. We eat like kings at the lake!
The group that made the trip to Rainbow Bridge

Watersports

Havyn's first time to kneeboard

Taylor pulling a 360

Madison

ColeThat would be me....I don't really enjoy slaloming but I do it anywayWakeboarding

The small children always wanted to come along while we did watersports...they usually fell asleep.

Getting ready to surfDang surfing! I can catch the real waves in Hawaii but can't get the hang of these boat waves. You are supposed to be able to let go of the rope and ride the wave. Bah humbug!
The Hole in the Rock

Kennady, Taylor, Cole and I on our way to the Hole in the Rock

A beautiful shot along the way

The Hole in the Rock

On our way up

Plaque at the top

I did it!

The group that hiked - at the top

pRaNkS!!

Every year there are pranks to be played..it is always between the boys and the girls. This year the boys got the girls. They drew on their faces while they were sleeping. Surprisingly none of them woke up. I was dying laughing during the whole thing. Love it!

Madison snoozing...some of them only have half of the face colored because they were sleeping on their sides.

Taylor

Havyn

Taylor, Havyn, Eden and Cydnee

Madison, Kennady, AllyFamily Pictures

Man, what a good lookin' bunch and what nice shirts!! Erin and I designed them...well mostly Erin but I did choose green :)

Love these guys!

Payton and I have a rivalry going on its about who has the biggest muscles. He did beat me arm wrestling (barely) but I'm going to train and whip him next time!All the grandkids