Tophams on Parade: July 1-15

Harvested my wheat and let it dry in my kitchen. I love the smell of it, but don't love having it take up so much space. Next time, I will just cut the heads off as they dry on the stalks (while the stalks are still in the garden). I think that will be easier.

We headed out to Idaho! Hayden, sleeping in style, on the way there.

While in Idaho, Grandma and Grandpa were sure to show us a REALLY good time! We went on a beautiful little hike.

Went on motorcycle rides, and 4 wheeler rides. Hayden stayed on just long enough for the picture. He loves the idea of motorcycles and 4 wheelers, and loves them when they are turned off and stationary. But he has a hard time with loud noises. They terrify him. So, once those big noisy machines turn on, he wants nothing to do with them!

Enjoyed incredible views! Wonderful dinners on the porch. Seriously, so gorgeous!

We got to go to the Inkom Independence Day Parade! We had heard rumors about the awesome candy parade, but this was our first year experiencing it.

Hayden loved seeing the fire truck.

The Topham Men!

The kids got SO. MUCH. CANDY. Not to mention otter pops. And Maliya even scored a cupcake! She was pretty excited.

After the parade, we went over to the carnival. The girls very much enjoyed getting to ride in the BACK of Grandpa's Truck!

I tell you what: Inkom knows how to party! This carnival had a fire hose going, and some super fun booths.

The girls drenched themselves many times.

Of course they hit up the "fishing" booth that Grandma and Grandpa were in charge of...

And we got in the face painting line good and early.

And then there was THIS!

And, of course, cooling off in the fire hose again...

While the older girls were waiting in a long line for the next big thing, I went to check on the younger kids. I took Katie to the ducky pond.

And then Maliya came running up to me BAWLING! It was a while before I could understand what she was trying to say. Apparently, she got too close to the fire hose, which caused her to do a flip, land flat on the ground and was winded. Rachel gave her a big hug. Maliya didn't want to play anymore after that.

So they enjoyed some of their loot, while they waited for Katie to finish her last thing. Then we headed back to Grandma's.

We wore the kids out pretty good. I went to check on Rachel and found this. I wonder why Maliya doesn't like sharing a bed with her???

We got home and had a day or two to recover before heading up to spend the night at Grandma Lisa's new place in Midway! It was fun! We did a little fishing, went on some scenic drives and got to check out this cool memorial at the top of a hill with a 360 degree view. It was awesome!

Rachel got her birthday presents from Grandma Lisa, while we were in Midway, including this inflatable thing to roll around in. So funny!

We went on a Sunday drive with the Burkes, on the other side of the lake. Poor Hayden was SOOO tired from all the outings! The off roading put him right to sleep! The Explorer did over heat, at one point. It was a pretty intense drive. We stopped and let the kids play outside while we gave the car a little break.

Brian enjoying some nice Brighams Brew Root Beer, at the monthly preparedness fireside.

Maliya is such a fun big sister! Seriously. I won't even give the kids shoulder rides...

July 11th was the #10 year anniversary of when Brian and I got engaged! It fell on a Monday, so for Family Night, we took the kids all to the park where Brian proposed! The park sure has changed! Now it even has playground equipment! Fun! We had a Pizza Picnic at the Park!

The kids had the time of their lives wearing out their dad!

Of course, the outing wouldn't be complete without massive ice cream cones from Maceys!

July 13th, Katie had her "graduation" ceremony from UPSTART, her online preschool.

First, she had to go in a separate room to take an exit exam (to see how much she had learned during the year). Neither of my other girls took near as much coaxing for this portion as she did! She WOULD NOT wear her name sticker, she WOULD NOT go in that room, etc, etc. I ended up going in and sitting down with her for the first few minutes of her test, before sneaking out.
Hayden was having a good time, in the main waiting room, eating snacks and coloring pictures...for about 5 minutes. Then he was all sorts of upset that Katie was missing.

As each PreK graduate finished their test, they were given an award, a graduation hat and brought into the main room, where everyone clapped and mom's took pictures. Katie was about the 2nd to last kid to come out. She DID NOT want to go stand in front of everyone. She DID NOT want everyone to clap for her. And she DID. NOT. WANT. PICTURES. (Don't get me started on how particular she is about allowing photography of herself...insert eye roll). This volunteer tried valiantly to convince Katie to walk up front.

Then Maliya tried to force it. Didn't end well.

When she noticed that I was taking pictures she ran up and hit me, and that was the end of the photo op.

Here are the prizes she walked away with...

And the notes of congratulations that her sisters made for her.

Rachel had a late night with two friends, for her birthday (this is the no party year. She is allowed to invite 1 or 2 friends to do one special thing with her). The made this great fort, downstairs and watched a movie under it.

Hannah brought a present and some nice pictures.

The girls did perler beads and coloring. It was a fun night!

The next day was the Adobe Field Trip (aka Kid Day). It's Rachel's year, so she got to go spend the day doing fun things with her dad at his work. She has been so excited!