finally the fourth

we kicked off the fourth of july with the annual ward bike parade.  the kids love getting their bikes decorated the night before and dressed in their red white and blue's for the party.  They had a great time this year- and it is the first year they have both been able to "ride" their own bikes.  Love that!



We actually followed up the parade with swimming at our friends josh and karine's house.  the kids had a fabulous time since they can't get enough swimming ever.  but i forgot a camera....soo next onto ....

The FAIR!  the kids were so excited to go to the fair.  only in hawaii would they spend 2 weeks setting up a fair- not ever put up a sign for when it will be open- only have it open friday night, saturday and sunday- then close it up again.  And have it open on the fourth of july!!!  thankfully we stopped by and asked a worker if it was going to be open on the fourth and headed over there.  the kids would have been Devastated if we had missed it! 

here they are in awe.....

of this!!  this guy was really good for such a poedunk fair! 

troy and josh with camiron and bruce
at the top of the ferris wheel

we went with 2 of bradens friends tommy and dillon.  that is the way to go- they had soo much fun riding all the rides together!   here are braden and tommy

does anyone else this it is hilarious that troy is ON the horse with camiron?!  i couldn't stop laughing at him when he got off.  and he thought it was weird that he wouldn't get on to ride instead of just stand next to her.  where is the fun in that?!  

braden and tommy rode this ride like 10 times. they loved it.

we followed up the fair with fireworks at the waterpark.  what a great fun filled crazy busy day. loved it!  

thank you to all of our soldiers who have blessed us with our freedom.   we love and pray for you each day. 

a buggy day

they had a fun bug exhibit at the mall with a little train ride.  The playgroup kids had a great time with the hands on bugs and riding the train.  well all but braden, who refused to  ride.  

thanks emmy for being camers buddy on the train since Braden wouldn't! 

the roast

Anyone who knows troy know that he always gets put in charge of the schools "roast" or end of the year banquets bloopers, folies... etc. so of course this year he was in charge of the "roast".  He did a great job and had everyone laughing like crazy.  way to go koch! :) 

water babies

my kids just love love love water. so i bought a "little" pool that didn't turn out to be so little.  the kids love that it is huge... but it is a little questionable in the yard. 

a swim party with kayla and keeley

another bookclub goodbye

it is so sad to see both Jane and Amber head off the island to their next adventures.  We will miss you and lots of love and aloha....

big boy = big bike

Braders Loves loves loves his new "big boy bike"   if only we had a street that you could actually ride bikes on, life would be perfect in his book.

FOUR

four.  Braden how are you already four?

You love being four. suddenly you think that four is the magic number.  When you turned four you finally went down the rickety slide at swim class-" because four year olds do that".   and you have a two wheeler bike now (with some training wheels that is).  you love it.

Your sass... well it is going strong.  You love and fight with all your might.  you try to negotiate your way into and out of everything.   Poor poor camiron is always in the line of fire for your fists and feet. but you also love her with all your heart.  This last week when she was crying trying to give up her binky you told her she could do it if she was holding your hand.  and you held her hand as long as she needed it.  

four year olds ask such amazing questions- you have asked me if Jesus sleeps- and if he does how can he hear you when you talk to  him in the night.   you ask me how every little thing works.  you love to learn about animals, trucks, machines, dads work and anything that may just pop into your head.  

 we love you so much and are so grateful you were born four big years ago.  my little local boy. 

the party-  enjoy some refreshments after a wild time on the bounce house with dillan and ashley

kylynn, ashley, kale, camiron and madilline

troy reading while we got the pizza on the table.  dillan, ashley, james, braders and camiron

james, kale, camiron, braden, dillan, and ashley

what is a party without some pin the tale on the donkey!  you all thought it was a great game, but there may have been a little cheating going on!

mmm...mmm...mmm  the cake.  
checking out the new presents with tommy and kale in the back

sharing in the loot with everyone!