Oh What do You do in the Summertime?

At the end of June each year, Lehi holds it's LEHI ROUND-UP DAYS. Every year at this time, I am reminded again why I just love living in small towns. Lehi has a lot of pioneer and cowboy heritage and they definitely showcase it in the parades and rodeo each summer.

Max has a real love for horses and loved the all horse parade on Thursday. On Saturday we went to the "big" parade and cheered for our ward as they marched down Main with our Double Decker Bus Float. It didn't take Max long to learn that waving to the pretty royalty girls earns you lots of candy. What a weekend it was!

On the 4th of July, we always go to Tooele for the parade and then we always get together with the Johnsen side. This year I actually ran in the 5K prior to the parade with Stacey and Jeff. Crazy enough, we each placed in our own age groups...Jeff took 1st, Stacey 2nd, and I took 3rd. Considering that there were several hundred runners, I think we were pretty pleased. We enjoyed the parade and then went back to the in-laws house to shower and get ready for our BBQ at the Hogan's farm in Stockton. Aunt Jill has a great place out in the country and she bought one of those big inflatable water slides for the kids this year. Max loved it there. He just ran and played all day. Matt took him to see the pigs and he is still talking about them. We had Eli with us too and I think he had a good time using the theater to play his Wii, using the putting green, and all the good food.I love the traditions we have on these holidays. Ryan has made one of his own 4th of July traditions. Every year after the parade and before the BBQ lunch he watches the Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN. It fascinates him and it repulses me every year.Other than the parades and holiday fun, we've spent the summer swimming (even took Max and Eli to 7 Peaks for the first time), had a few BBQ's, and mostly enjoyed the summer evenings outside. Max has a real love for the water! Looks like swimming lessons are in the very near future. We've had our share of popsicles and ice cream and always have an ample supply of sunscreen and mosquito wipes around.
So that's what we are doing with our Summertime!