Every year the Christensen family packs up and goes down to Richfield for the 24th of July Celebration. It is a lot of work to get ready, but it is well worth spending time with the family.
The boys are loaded in the truck and I hope they have enough electronic devices to keep them entertained on the road trip.
It was hot in Richfield so as soon as our trailer was un-hitched we had to cool off in the pool.
Talan loves to swim around the pool in his life jacket. His favorite pool game is chasing everyone around the pool and squirting them with his water gun. Watch out because nobody is off limits.
Lincoln floating around the pool in his life jacket. He was giggling the whole time he was floating around.
Jenny and Talan.
3-2-1 Blast Off. Lincoln loved being tossed in the water.
The boys enjoying the cool water.
Everyone who was not in the pool was hanging out in the shade. It was fun to spend the afternoons hanging out and snacking on all the goodies everyone brought.
Lincoln sound asleep after a long, hot day.
Saturday we all went into Monroe to the town's celebration. Lincoln said he wanted to drive.
All the kids got a balloon.
The kids had a fun time hitting each other with the balloons while waiting for the parade to start. Lincoln's balloon only lasted about 15 minutes before he manged to pull it off the string. As it was flying away Lincoln ran down the sidewalk chasing after it. When I finally caught up to him, he stopped and said Bye-Bye Balloon and sadly watched it float away.
Cousin Bailey, Cousin Malena, Lincoln and Talan. I tried a few times to get a good picture and this is the best I could do.
Lincoln and I waiting for the parade to start.
Grandpa trying to contain Lincoln from running up and down the sidewalk yelling at the top of his lungs.
Bailey was the only one who liked to have her picture taken. Every time I took her picture she would run over and want to see it on my camera.
Still hanging out while waiting for the parade to start.
Bailey and Talan waiting for the candy throwing to start.
Yay! They had so much fun, gathering up as much candy as their little hands would hold.
I love the little home town parades. They throw tons of candy for the kids and have fun floats like this one. This is everyone running from the boys champion baseball team who had Super Soakers and was attacking the crowd with water. Talan loved it and wanted them to squirt it in his mouth.
They threw out so much candy Lincoln even managed to grab a few pieces.
Lincoln had the best seat on the parade route
One of the many Otter Pops the kids caught. I literally think Talan ate 4. Talk about a sugar overload.
The race car that burned out on the parade route. It was a little scary, I was worried that he might lose control and go into the crowd. This is definitely not something you would see in one of the larger parades. Talan loved the loud roar of the engine.
Talan and his bag of candy. I will never need to buy Tootsie Rolls or Salt Water Taffys again.
After a morning at the parade it was time to hit the dirt. Talan was so excited to hit the red rocks on the 4-wheelers. Helmet on and ready to roll.
They boys are off. Jason said that as they were riding Talan keep saying faster Dad faster. When I took him riding he keep asking if we could get off this mountain and go back to camp. I guess I am a scary driver.
Lincoln hates to ride the 4-wheelers, but likes to wear the helmets.
Lincoln was supposed to be taking a nap. He had been quiet for a few minutes so I thought he was asleep, I went to check on him and found him lounging around playing with his Thomas toy. I love the crossed legs.
We spent another afternoon cooling off in the pool. The boys had a great time floating in the tube that we smuggled in from Mexico.
Talan relaxing in the tube with his shades.
Lincoln is so cute. I love his mischievous looks he gives.
Kady and Jenny playing ball with Baylie and Lincoln.
Lincoln came out of the back of the trailer with my glasses on. What a funny little boy.
Lincoln was running around the campsite and fell and bit his lip. He was supposed to be eating the Popsicle to keep the swelling down. He didn't eat much but he managed to dip it all over the trailer. Their is nothing worse than sticky Popsicle on the floors.
The boys playing Nick Jr.
Every year we have a big group dinner. The food is always wonderful and we all over eat. This is the kids and Grandpa C enjoying a Popsicle for dessert.
After dinner we went to the park to play and burn off a few calories.
Lincoln found Aunt Mickelyn's cookies on the table and was eating them as fast as he could.
The cookies were so good he was eating the crumbs off the table.
Just relaxing at camp.
Jason, Curtis and I went on a great ride above Richfield. I kept up most of the way, until they got to some steep hills, that is when I bailed out and headed back to camp. Richfield is a great place to ride 4-wheelers, there are so many trails to explore.
On top of the bluff over looking Richfield.
Going to Richfield over the 24th of July is a Christensen family tradition. We usually go every year. I even took Talan when he was 6 weeks old. Little did I know that it was going to be 113 degrees, but the little guy survived and loves to go down. This is our first Richfield trip with a trailer. We use to rent a cabin and one time we even stayed in the tent. It is nice to be able to cook our own meals, shower when we want and have an AC. We spent our days swimming in the pool, riding the 4-wheelers riding around the bluffs above Richfield and hanging out with the family. While on one of our rides we saw what appeared to be a pond just outside of Richfield. When we got back to camp Jason and I decided to load up the boys a go in search of this mystery pond to see if we could catch any fish. We drove around the area and couldn't find it. We drove over to Annabella and found a road called Heppler 's Pond Road. Since it was named Heppler's Pond Road we figured it must had a pond near by. We drove for a mile on a dirt road along the foot hills listening to Tim McGraw with our windows rolled down. We finally found the pond, but decided we were having more fun driving down our dirt road. Our road ended in the cute little town of Glenwood. It was fun to explore the towns around Richfield. I love the small town feel. Everyone seems so relaxed and just enjoying life. The 24th of July in Monroe was so neat. No big commercial floats, simply the town's people driving tractors, kids on firetrucks and Rodeo Queens. It is what I see as a true traditional American parade. It was a great vacation and I am sure many more 24th of July's will be spent in Richfield.
