Independence Day

Well we survived last week, July 1-9.  It was exhausting but it was so much fun.  Now to recount the details of the week.  We headed down on Friday, such a long drive. Sawyer woke up about half way down and talked and talked the rest of the way.  

Saturday we headed down to St. George to go through the temple with Vanessa.  It was so much fun to be with the family in the temple.  I am so happy to be blessed with a family that is supportive and loving.  I loved seeing all the cousins, some of them I hadn't seen in 4 years. After the temple we headed out to the Olive Garden for a little grub.  I forgot how busy those places get on Saturdays. 

Vanessa and Cressa 

 On Sunday we spent the day down in Minersville with Travis' family.  We played games and visited with everybody.  It is fun to just sit around and shoot the breeze.
Monday we were awakened by the dynamite going off at 5:30 AM.  What a great little tradition right?  We headed down to Minersville just in time for the parade.  It didn't last too long but for Sawyer it was long enough.  He wanted to get down and get the candy with all the bigger cousins.  After the parade we headed up to the school for the little program.  Sawyer was so funny at the program.  Whenever we would clap he would stop everything he was doing, get as serious look on his face and start clapping like it was the most important thing in the world.  Minersville always does a luncheon at the park after the program.  It is fun to sit and visit with everybody.  The real fun begins after the luncheon.  This year they did a Minute To Win It game for the adults.  Travis was chosen out of the crowd to participate in a game.  He had to use scuba flippers to flip a tortilla up on his head and catch it.  He actually did it twice.  It was so funny to watch all those who participated.

Minersville always has foot races for the kids, and adults if you want.  Sawyer was so tired, hot and overwhelmed when it was his turn to race.  He refused to even stand up by himself.  Apparently he does not perform on command. Spectators were killing me in the crowd.  They were treating the races like they were life or death.  I was dying inside laughing.

Debbie and Kenneth had a BBQ at their house for all of the Hollingsheads.  There were so many people. It is always a lot of fun and a lot of chaos.  There are kids running to and fro and adults playing games from their youth like, Andy I Over, running over the small children.  The wives even started arm wrestling which lead to the guys trying to prove who was the toughest Hollingshead.

I spent the rest of the week down in Southern Utah with my sisters.  We had a lot of fun together.  Tuesday Sawyer and I headed over to Circleville to visit my Grandparents.  We actually caught Rowdy before he headed back to So. Cal.  Sawyer actually got his second black eye while over there.  Poor little guy.
Wednesday we had a bright idea to go walking.  (I am still paying for that bright idea.) We were just going to walk the bike path in Beaver but Mariah's boys had a party that we decided to walk them to.  We ended up being gone about two hours which meant two hours in high elevation sunlight.  I put sunscreen on Sawyer like a good mom does but forgot to put some on me.  I got fried.  I am now peeling for the second time in my life.  I look awful and I itch.
Thursday was a busy day.  We helped Cressa get some decorations for her wedding.  We almost lost the decorations and Mariah and I in transit but we had some great laughs.  Mariah and Vanessa had a softball game and Spencer had a soccer game.
Friday was an awesome day.  Cressa and Heston got married.  They are such a cute couple.  They looked so happy.  Again it was awesome that we had so much family support for this new couple.  Despite being hot and humid it was a gorgeous day in St. George. The picture on the temple steps better turn out for Cressa, I thought we were all going to melt away.  The luncheon was so good.  Thanks Farnsworth family for all that you did.  The reception was in Allison and Jim's backyard.  I was a little worried because they are having early monsoons down south.  We got rained out about half hour before the reception was over.  The reception was so much fun though chatting with cousins and people from town.  I love the people from Beaver so much, I forget how loving and kind they are. All in all it was a great week.  Thanks for letting me stay down Travis.  Sorry to leave you alone.

We were all so tired and hot after the day in St. George

So grateful for nap time. 

Sawyer's favorite part of the reception.  A stick and puddle.  A little boys favorite toys.