Lehi Parade and Baby Smiles...

This past Saturday we got up and out the door by 9:00, and went to find a good spot for the big Lehi Float Parade. Even though it was an hour before the beginning of the parade, we had to do some pretty good searching before we found a spot along one of the side-streets that would provide shade for me and baby, and a good front row view for the rest of the girls. We found a spot by the NICEST family I have ever met. They treated us like they'd known us all their lives. We were sitting by a gentleman that was probably in his late 50's and he was there with his daughter and two grandchildren. After maybe five minutes our girls were in love with him. He was so sweet and animated and it was so kind of him to include my girls with his grandchildren in all of his crazy antics. He told my girls in a very stern voice that the only way they could sit by him is if they are very good at catching candy. They all nodded solemnly, and then he told them they better practice just to be sure. He spent a good ten minutes throwing small rocks out into the road for the girls "practice" at running and grabbing candy, and was giving them pointers like any good coach would do. He certainly helped us pass the time until the parade started. During the parade he was sharing candy with the kids (like they needed it!) and went and grabbed an umbrella for Dennis to keep the sun off his already sunburned neck. While I was back in the shade nursing, another person kept throwing candy in my stroller for the girls. Lehi has grown so much these last few years, but it still seems that all over we run into people that are still of a small-town mentality. People here will generally bend over backwards to be friendly and helpful. I love it here.

The parade was a joy. The girls loved the floats and LOVED the candy. They were dancing, jumping, yelling and clapping for an hour and a half. I was having one of those rare moments of complete and utter contentment as I watched my beautiful girls enjoying life and having fun, with Daddy right in the middle of it all. It was such a perfect morning. Right at that moment where I was feeling so happy, the Lehi band came around the corner and started playing "Come, Come, Ye Saints". I started tearing up like the over-emotional person I tend to be, but it really all just hit me at once. I am so unbelievably blessed! I have such a wonderful family, and we are so blessed to live in this place where we are surrounded by the gospel and reminders of our pioneer heritage. Between the kindness of strangers, watching my girls being young and carefree, and then hearing a beloved hymn I was hit with a feeling of unbelievable happiness. My life is such a good one.

After the parade we walked down to the fair. We got the girls lunch (hoping to neuteralize all the sugar they had just consumed), and then enjoyed ourselves! The girls rode pony's, went through the little petting zoo, watched pig wrestling, went on a couple of rides, and got their faces painted. We all left happy, but exhausted from all the sun and activities.

We skipped nap-time (which wasn't too hard, thanks to all the aforementioned sugar), and put the kids to bed early. Then we spent the night playing games with our neighbors. I never, NEVER win and still enjoy playing every time. I think I like the company more than the actual game playing.

The only sad part of the day? I forgot to charge the camera and didn't get one picture. I was bummed at first, but as the day wore on it was nice to just enjoy my family without worrying about "capturing" all the precious moments.

On a different note, my baby has given us little smiles here and there, but the last few days she is smiling ALL the time! Any time I sit and chat with her she just smiles away, and you can see her making such effort to get any sound out of her mouth. She's trying so hard to join in the conversation! She is only six weeks old, and already I can't imagine my life without her. I love my little Hayden!!! You'd think with a fourth this kind of thing wouldn't feel as special, but I feel like a giddy first-timer with every milestone she hits. There is nothing I love more than a perfect little baby. She makes me so happy.