First Fourth

This week we had Pioneer Day here in Utah. Which meant more fireworks! I was super excited for this because we were so busy taking pictures of Ollie on the Fourth that I didn't get to really enjoy the show. I'm kind of crazy about documenting Ollie's firsts and about fireworks so it was nice I got a re-do.

Every other year we go to Salmon Idaho for the Fourth of July with the Van Hoose family.

 (it's where my pops grew up)
I completely adore this small town and lazing around with my family!

One of the best parts of small town Fourth is the parade! It's just so cute and quaint!

 ^^ These horses were so tiny!!

 

^^ My Sissy's! To bad the boys couldn't make it this year.

  

 

 

 

 ^^Love my pops!

^^ The kiddies showing their spirit!

The noise didn't bother Ollie too much. There were a few really loud ones that scared him, but mostly he loved looking at the fireworks!

 

I love this country, I love fireworks, & I love my cute little family!

over the rainbow

Note: You should probably play some Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole to read this post. I promise it will enhance the experience :-).

We took the little dude on his first vacation to Kauai Hawaii the beginning part of June for freeeeee, thanks to the extreme generosity of Scott's mom and step dad!! Thanks Mark and Martie!! It was a whole family vacation with the Steele siblings and parents and it was so much fun!! 

I have to say I'm a huge fan of getting to hang out with my hubs and baby for 24 hours a day for a whole week!! I was not a huge fan of being the XL with all the XS women though! I know I just had a baby and really I'm not that self conscious about myself (at least I'm not when I'm my regular weight of M/L), it just made me wish for the body I had when Scott and I got married. I gained 55lbs with my pregnancy and have only lost 40lbs of it, plus the 15lbs I gained after the wedding trying to get knocked up...looks like it's time to get my butt in gear!! OK, no more body woes & back to the vacation! Here are some of my favorite pics of the week:

Hanalei Bay, my favorite place on the island!

I think Scott was jealous he didn't have a matching hat :-)


In case you didn't know it's pretty hot & humid in Hawaii. I think it's funny the boy was just laying like a lump on a log here (aka daddy). It took us all a day or two to adjust to the weather.

Shrimp tacos!
 
Queens Bath
 

Ollie doing his Braveheart yell...or yawning

Waimea Canyon

I'm pretty sure this is my husbands first selfie in his life, so I had to post it. Haha!


Waterfalls everywhere!

(can you tell my husband is the main picture taker)

Ocean fun!!

Babies first ocean experience...don't mind the cleavage :-)

 

 Pool time!

We went on a plane ride around the island!! It was soooo cool!!

  




Look peacocks!!

My cute boys

 

Aloha!!

capitols of Alaska

Juneau, the capitol of Alaska

We were super excited for the whale watching we would do in Juneau! Then this was all we saw. I know they are called humpback whales, but I kinda thought we would get more than that.

 We also saw eagles, goats, & seals. Seals are kinda jerky though.

FYI, we had the BEST Alaskan king crab in Juneau...I'm sure you were all wondering if they really were tasty there.

Ketchikan, the salmon capitol of the world

 We went to the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and it was awesome! I think Scott could be a lumberjack.

 Totems are cool. That is all.

So we went to a cute little souvenir shop on this riverwalk and the clerk was complaining to a friend about tourist ruining their town...ummmm here's a hint, you should be in a different line of work and maybe stop being a jerk face when people come that will spend money in your shop. Needless to say, we just walked out. Besides that one shop owner the town was super cute!

Ps- Alaskans aren't all mountain men. They can also be hip...like a boss!