I failed to take any pictures on the 4th this year; not sure what I was thinking. So, I guess I can just tell about the highlights. The day started with our traditional not-so-early-in -the-morning family breakfast at my house. We thought about not having it this year since my grandparents weren't going to be able to be there now that they are at the manor and my sisters couldn't come either. Since I have always been a lover of tradition, my mom and I decided to carry on no matter how few in number we were. We ended up having a nice, quiet time with my parents and Van and Cindy. Well, sorta quiet I guess; Brandt was still there and there isn't much quietness about him! After that we were off to the Paris Parade. It was pretty good this year with quite a few interesting entries. I especially liked the old tractors and truck entered by the Glenn Rich family. Brandt like the fire engine with Smokey Bear. He was actually more interested in playing with the black lab next to us than he was watching the parade or trying to catch candy. Later in the afternoon we headed to Georgetown to have dinner with Bryce's family. Brandt had a great time playing in the little swimming pool with Jolie and the other cousins. After dinner we went to Montpelier to watch the fireworks; unfortunately Brandt fell asleep on the way there and wouldn't wake up for them. I'm not so sure he would have liked them much anyway since he doesn't like any type of loud noises.
Bryce's family tradition used to be to either go to the east side of the lake with the Hemmerts for a picnic and swimming or go to their house in Liberty to celebrate, but they haven't really done that since Bryce's grandpa passed away. The 4th of July was Don's favorite holiday I think and he loved making a big deal out of it with all of his family. He always made sure that we had a memorable day, especially with all the big fireworks that were set off at the ball diamond at the end of the evening. He was a very patriotic man, and there is even a flag painted on the roof of the mill by their house courtesy of Bryce's uncle Jeff. We all are reminded of him and miss him even more around holidays like this.
My growing up memories of the fourth include doing fireworks at our house prior to the 4th for Kelli's b-day, which is on the 3rd. The celebration on the 4th would start with the Lewiston parade, which was beyond huge! The day continued with vendors and free entertainment at the park, softball games across the street, and the rodeo. It was always the funnest day hanging out with my Bodily cousins. The finale was the Lewiston fireworks which were always amazing, and then the long drive (at least for my dad) back to Bear Lake. It's really not a long drive, but since the rest of us slept I bet it was a long drive for my dad who had to be exhausted from the day's events. Amazing the sacrifices our parents make that we never think about til later. I sure do miss the time spent in Lewiston with my family and am thankful for the memories I have. I hope that Brandt will be able to enjoy our little holiday traditions that we've started, especially on the 4th when we celebrate our gift of freedom, so that one day he can appreciate his memories of our family as well.
Isn't he so cute???
It's hard to believe it, but when he lies down in our tub now he almost goes from one end to the other! He's grown so much!
This particular day he decided to give his cows and horses a bath in a bucket in the kitchen sink. I swear I only turned around for a few seconds and next thing I knew he had his diaper off and was in the bucket. He said he was taking a bath with his "manimals." What a silly kid!
Kaylen is the oldest cousin and also the most patient with him. She has such a calm, mothering way about her and Brandt adores her. Of course it didn't hurt that she let him ride with her all over...
Adrie also let him hang out on Skip with her a couple different times. He loves her, too, and is constantly asking to go play with her.
He didn't have a chance to ride with Riley this time, but maybe one day. I'm sure we'll be going to more of their rodeos this summer since they have them on Monday nights and it's a cheap and fun family home evening. Besides, I love being an aunt and being able to stay involved with their lives and watching them grow and develop their skills. I couldn't ask to be related to better kids!
and this huge turtle that crawled right over to him, which he thought was pretty awesome.
One of the most awaited parts was the place where he got to feed the ducks. My dad was so cute with him. He spent a lot of time with him buying duck food and then helping him throw it through to the ducks. I think they both enjoyed it, and my mom and I enjoyed watching them.
It didn't take long for Brandt to figure out that in order to get the food he had to turn the little knob on the vending machine.
Brandt kept sticking his fingers through the fence to feed the ducks and thought it was hilarious everytime one of them would bite his finger.
This same little mallard duck kept coming back over and over and Brandt just kept letting him bite his fingers and looking up at me with the funniest looks. Of course, I never got a good picture of that part.
Buddy and me by the duck pond. Somehow my mom once again escaped without having her picture taken. As soon as we got home, Brandt started rattling off all the animals we had seen to his dad, plus a few that he must have imagined including bears. Some of his favorites were of course the monkeys, turtles and ducks, but also the snake, elk ("melk"), baby deer, coyotes, "lions" (actually bobcats) and all the millions of birds. What a fun, quiet, shady place to hang out in the summer and we can't wait to go again.
A couple weeks ago when we went to town we stopped to get the mail first. He always gets a sucker there and opens it before we get back to the car. He tried to stay awake long enough to eat it, but was asleep before we got out of St. Charles. So cute! Love the crazy hat hair!
If he doesn't fall asleep, he usually comes up with some crazy thing to entertain himself. This particular day we were coming home from visiting my grandparents at the Manor and he was acting like a puppy (he does this a lot lately). He started out barking and panting and soon moved on to licking his legs.
As if that's not bad enough, he then worked his way to his nasty dirty feet (he'd been playing outside in water shoes all day). 
He got a pretty big kick out of himself, and I had to agree that he was pretty funny, too. 
Debbie, Cindy, and Aunt Darlene
Aunt Darlene, Shay, and my parents in the background
Jana holding Amanda Jean, Colette, and Shay
Kelli talking to Aunt Darlene
Brandt found a new favorite friend in Colette. He absolutely loved playing with her!
Bryson, my dad, and Van
Brandt kept escaping out the doors to go outside, so this time I let him go. He headed straight to his favorite place, the garage, and was soon pounding nails in this board with bampa Van.
I've always loved spending time visiting with family, and this was no exeption. Although, seeing Aunt Darlene reminds me how much I miss Uncle Dale being with her as well as Geeg and Duane. Whenever we used to go visit in Garden City it seemed like the 4 of them were there together playing cards or trying to "one up" each other. In more recent years it was just Dale and Darlene at Aunt Geeg's, and now just down to Aunt Darlene. Makes me sad but also thankful for the fun memories that I do have.
My mom and dad's favorite little people: Rylie, Brandt, and Amanda Jean.
Jana, Amanda, Kelli, grandma, Brandt, Rylie. It was such a nice day that we let the kids play outside while we waited for the cows and cowboys to catch up.
And here they come-(looks a lot better in the "normal size version" )
Rylie got to ride for awhile with his dad. He's quite the little cowboy. 
Must have worn her right out! She was tired all morning but wouldn't go to sleep for the rest of us. Within a minute or two of my dad holding her she was out. Guess he's the one with the magic touch!
When we got back to my parent's Brandt apparantly didn't think the work was done cause he put on T's boots, bampa's gloves and tried heading out the door to go "fix fence."
He cracks me up every day! Hope he's still so willing to work as he gets older... 