Happy LATE 4th of July!!

Around our house, at least for Cole, the 4th of July is one of the favorite times of the year! I have so many fond memories of the 4th, particularly going up to Midway (where my Grandfather has a cabin) and doing all sorts of fun stuff! There were always the Nelson family Olympics, the watermelon eating contests, the relay races, decorating anything available (including our bodies) and having a SWEET parade around the driveway, and then of course there were the wonderful fireworks at night off of Memorial Hill, and also our own fantastic fireworks. Mostly trying to beat all of my cousins around the driveway, or to see who could go the furthest on one sparkler! Oh, so many memories. But the one that I am the most fond of that I was commenting on to Cole was seeing my beloved Grandmother throw taffy off of the balcony. My sweet Grandmother passed away a few years ago, and things have just not been the same without her. She was the LIVING SPIRIT of the 4th of July. She LOVED it, and it would make us all so excited to see her step out onto that balcony to throw the taffy to the people that she loved. I guess this year, my Grandfather got up onto the balcony and took over the tradition and threw some candy off the top. I am so sad to have missed that wonderful occasion, but I know that it was a wonderful thing.
For the 4th in Denver, we had a great time! In the morning, we woke up and walked over to our neighborhood party. We were a little bit late because Payton was taking his nap so we missed the parade, but we made it in time to see and get into the firetruck that was there! Our good friend Chad from our ward is a local fireman and he was actually the one running the truck! So it was WAY fun to see him, and to be able to have him show us around. They even opened up the FIREHOSE that is up on top of the truck! Oh, talk about cool! You wouldn't believe how much water can come out of those things in such a short amount of time! On the highest pressure setting (or however you manage that:)) 1000 gallons can come out in a MINUTE! So we were all soaked! It was great fun. Then we came home and took some GREAT 4th of July naps then that night, we went with some GREAT friends of ours to the Colorado Rapids game. The Rapids are the professional soccer team here in Denver, and it was SO much fun! The game didn't start until 7:30 so the boys were troopers the whole game! It was so much fun. The Rapids totally wasted the New York team, and it was great to watch. The fireworks started at 10:00 p.m., so our boys had about had it, but they were still being really good! The firework show was about 1/2 hour long, and the boys made it for about 10 or 15 minutes. Then they were both zonked. But it was a fabulous day, and we sure reflected alot on those men and women that have fought and are still fighting for our country's freedom. We are so grateful to live in such a wonderful country.

Sitting in the passenger seat of the firetruck! COOL!!
Lincoln has a bit of a hard time doing the thumbs up thing, and Payton MIGHT be in a daze!
At the park during the party. Everyone was either laughing or chastising us for putting a sticker on Paytons head. I think he's cute!
As we got home from walking back from the park. Sleepy boys!

Happy kids at the soccer game! One of very few smiles from the big brother.Right by where we were sitting at the game! Right after this the Rapids scored a sweet goal!
Here's us and the Wesslers right before the big firework show! We had a great time. Thanks guys for letting us join you!