Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast

I love the whole idea of waking up to a surprise, so I set the boys Fourth of July outfits out on the couch for them to wake up to. Each of them went right to the shorts that I picked out for them. Josh and I spent forever finding 4 different pairs of red, white and blue plaid shorts. We even found a shirt for McKay that had a guitar on them that matched the big boys!

While I was growing up I looked forward every year to my ward's Fourth of July Races and Pancake Breakfast. I have missed it every year that I haven't gotten to do it. I have dreamed of starting my own with my family and this year Josh and I decided that we were going to do it.

We invited my family and some friends and met at a park (the one we were planning on had people SLEEPING on the tables when we got there at 6:45-what the heck? Okay you really want this pavilion we get it...you deserve it. Kristen and I made a whole bunch of tissue balls for the decor (like 18!) Kristen is my partner in crime, she was SO HELPFUL in getting everything ready for the breakfast (thanks Kris!)

My parents were so great to help us cook everything.

We had donuts, eggs, bacon and of course PANCAKES!

My parents are the master outdoor cooks.

The older guys played tag on the toys...they had a great time.

It was intense.

My mother-in-law was the official baby babysitter. Thanks Mom!

My great neighbors (Shannon, Keaton and Tevin-thanks for coming guys!), SIL and nieces.

They boys had the best time. We definitely would like this a tradition.

Getting ready for the races! Josh was in charge of the races and he did a really great job. We had lots of races for each age group and then the obstacle course, which was the favorite.

Getting ready for the obstacle course.

This is out of order. Josh was dying to get to race, so we had a race for the "older" kids.

Josh gave everyone American flags and American flag pins. They boys have transferred them to all of their clothes ever since.

We had two people race each time. They had to run and spin three times, score a goal, put on a helmet/mask and ride a horse/bat around a cone, throw bean bags in a bucket and sprint to the end.

It was a good time.

Josh and David raced...that was the best, especially since my dad did everything he could to mess them up. It was awesome.

Look at that cute face!

We had 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons and everyone else got an "attendance" ribbon. Nobody cared what was on the ribbon, they were just happy to have one.

1st place!

Lincoln was happy for 2nd place because his favorite color is red.

Hunter got first place in the younger kid group. I love how crazy he is staring at his ribbon.

All of the kids.

We gave everyone these little favors with Sparklers in them. We gave the older kids "Pops".

After we decorated scooters and bikes (I sacrificed my tissue balls for the cause).

Their scooters looked great.

Then it was time for the parade. This was also a tradition in the old 13th ward.

Josh was so cute being the leader of the parade.

and then they just rode their scooters around and around.

Uncle Dave is a favorite with the boys.

Time to pack up and go. Josh is such a GOOD SPORT for going along with my schemes. I married the perfect guy.

My cute dad bought everyone fudgescicles from the ice cream man. They guy had to have been in heaven. Have I ever mentioned on here that our ice cream man plays "Silent Night" as he drives around the neighborhoods. That song will forever remind me of summer.

The kids got nice and fudgey.

Had to get a picture of all of the kids in their outfits.

We had a wonderful Fourth of July!