Kisses from Indie...

Usually Indie is pretty stingy when it comes to doling out kisses. However, on the fourth of July, for one reason or another, she was feeling rather generous.

I will just say there's not much better than getting to kiss those sweet, tiny pursed lips.

Eyes closed and all...

Going in for the kill...

Oops, missed...

By the time she was done I think she had kissed all but a few of the bar-b-que guests.

It was adorable.

God bless the U.S.A...

I've said it more than once but I'll say it again, the 4th of July is my favorite holiday. This year it landed on a Sunday so we had a three day celebration.

Me and my sisters plus Edie and Cashy at the Kaysville Parade.

Chelsea, Lindsey, Cash, Alicia, Me, Eden, Lydia, Indie and Mom.

Munching on an apple before the big parade began.

Fourth of July cuties...

Handsome little devil.

This year the parade was super long and super hot. This was my favorite float because it was probably one of about 5 actual floats.

Cort and Rodgie were in the parade this year. It was fun to see them and they hooked us up!

Tony gave the girls a birds eye view...

For the past three years the Taco Time float has thrown out beads and every year we end up with a bunch. This year was no different.

How quickly this...

can turn to this...

My babies.

My love...

On to the rockin' Rigby bar-b-que where we all eat till we're sick and then gorge ourselves on homemade ice cream.

My sweet grandpa...

My flag cake.

Keeping with tradition, we went to Eaglewood Golf Course for a picnic and fireworks.

And of course we had to take our traditional photo...

Only this year we've added two little ones to the tradition.

Thank you to all the brave men and women who have defended this great country. I feel blessed to live in America and enjoy the freedoms that I have.

Days 7 and 8...

Day 7

We went to Pebble Beach and drove along 17 Mile Drive. We got out and took a picture right here. Hopefully one day Tony will be able to take another picture here while he is actually playing this really expensive course.

The famous "Lone Cyprus"

Spy Glass golf course is in the background. It was so beautiful.

We went back to fisherman's wharf and had lunch at Old Fisherman's Grotto. We ate probably the best clam chowder I've ever had...except for yours Annelee. We were stuffed.

That evening we went to make a bonfire on the beach but the tide came up so quickly we had to abort. We drove along the beach and watched the sun go down.

Almost every night we were there Brooke and Mike played games with us. I always thought Tony and I loved board games but these guys really love them. They own hundreds of games. It was so fun to finally get to play games with the real "gamers." They taught us a new game each night. My favorite was Agricola. It was really involved but really fun.

Day 8

Sadly, day 8 was our final day. We packed up early and headed for home. We were going to sleep in Reno again but we decided to just push through and we made it all the way home in one day. The girls did pretty well on the drive home.

So I wanted to say that Brooke is my eldest cousin. She is the oldest child of my mom's older sister Le Anne. Brooke and Mike got married when I was like 12 or 13 or something and Mike is in the Army so they have lived all over the U.S. and in Germany. We really didn't get to see them very often. In fact, in the 7 years we have been married Tony had only met Mike once. It was so much fun to spend time with them and get to them better. Tony and Mike really hit it off and I, of course, loved spending time with Brookie.

Brooke and Mike,

This trip was just what we needed. We seriously had so much fun. You live in one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. Thank you for letting us stay with you so that we could witness it. We love you guys so much.

The End!

Day 6...

We spent the day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It is the biggest Aquarium this side of the Mississippi. I just made that up, but I think it is pretty big. I know it is pretty incredible.

I love this picture of Edie peeking up.

The aquarium is located on Cannery Row which reminded us a lot of Main Street in Park City.

That evening my dear sweet cousin offered to watch our children so we could go on a date. She even made us a reservation at one of the most amazing Greek restaurants I have ever been to. If you ever find yourself in Carmel you must eat at Dametra Cafe. The food was delicious and the service was top notch. The owner was the nicest guy ever and even hugged me and Tony when we left.

Spanakopita, gyros, kebabs, souvlaki and baklava. A.maz.ing.

After dinner we went down to the beach to make out just like teenagers. Like we didn't have a care in the world. Just kidding. It was fun to spend some time with Tony sans kids. This was one of the most memorable nights of the trip so thank you Brookie for making it happen.

Only one vacation post left...