4th & Grandma Nana

We spent the morning of our 4th looking at the gorgeous hot air balloons flying over Utah county. What a sight!

We were laughing our heads off because we felt like total "storm chasers" as we drove from spot to spot trying to catch the best glimpse of the balloons as they traveled.

After getting ready for the day, Tyler's dad gave us a quick lesson on our freedoms and why we celebrate the 4th. We love his patriotism and the way he always takes time to teach us and our kids about our nation's history.

Then we headed up to Salt Lake to visit my mom's mom--my Nana--and my sister & her kids who had just driven in town! My grandpa & Nana are in their 80's and were just as young & happy as could be despite the herd that they were hosting.

In the process of being with so many grandmas/grandpas & extended family during our visit in Utah, Annie coined the phrase "Grandma Nana" for my Nana, and I think the name is sticking. :)

After eating some lunch at Nana's, we took the kids over to their neighborhood pool to swim for a couple of hours.

I think Tyler stayed in the pool the longest--just horsing around and dunking my nephew & cousin. But here he is playing nicely with the girls...

Oh my sweet niece Ella. We could eat her up!

And of course these two were so so so excited to be reunited!!!

We hadn't seen my cousins since we took our big road trip when I was pregnant with Shannon, and it was wonderful to see my kids pick up where they left off--just loving on my Aunt Annie & cousins Sarah & Emma.

I love that we got a picture of the kids with their great-grandparents. But I also love this photo below because of: Lauren's blue mouth (from the suckers Nana gave out as we were all about to leave), Whitney's closed eyes, and Cole's wave of his flag. Way to represent the holiday, buddy.

We sang around the piano with Nana & I was so happy the kids could make some great memories of their own as they got to know their great-grandparents.

Talk about a fun day of worn-out fun! Annie was too pooped to even finish her sucker!