4th of July

Our evening started out with dinner at Agave, which is an awesome Mexican restaurant. If my father likes it it must be good. After dinner, we went back to my parents' house and lit off a few of our own fireworks. I was a bit nervous. You see, growing up we never had fireworks because they were not allowed in the county I lived in...i used to watch the firework shows from the corral of horse, so this was a very new experience entirely for me. Ethan loved to watch Daddy light the fireworks and wait to see what they were going to do. Reid not so much (picture below to show the type of mood he was in by 8:45).

After our own fireworks, there were a few sparklers. Ethan enjoyed holding his and swinging it around and around. Uncle Potty enjoyed his sparkler too. He can always put a smile on my face.

After the sparklers, we hopped in our cars to see the fireworks at the Red Rock Hotel because the fireworks show at the Clubhouse was cancelled this year. However, we soon found out that it was going to be impossible to find parking or a place to view the show near the hotel. My father had a great idea to go back to the Clubhouse and watch the firework show there. We were a little afraid that we were not going to be able to see the show, but once the show started we new we had one of the best spots to view the show (the 6th hole to be exact). Ethan loved the show and Reid slept through most of the fireworks (it started at 9:30).
We had a great time at Red Rock ( minus the sleepless night for Jon & I) and can't wait to do it again next year!

4th of July dip in the Pool

The early afternoon on the 4th, we headed to the Club's pool, which ended up being at least 3 different pools and a mini water (fountain) park. Reid immediately loved the outdoors and the water. He is such an outdoorsy kid. Ethan on the other hand was very tentative about going in the water: 1) because he said he was not a good swimmer (we are working on his self-confidence) and 2) he did not want to swim if there were other people in the pool. Jon & Reid jumped in the water and well Ethan had a meltdown (picture below). He crouched on the grass for about 10 minutes crying, while I & Uncle Potty took pictures of the event (nice I know). I tried to pick him up and throw him in the water, but he jumped right back out. Finally Jon got out of the water and handed me Reid (poor Reid...he was loving the water too). He took Ethan into the water. It still took Ethan a good 5 minutes to stop crying while in the water, but after that, he was having a blast. Ethan has such a funny personality. Reid eventually got back into the water with them, and the three of them enjoyed an afternoon in the pool.

Golfing with Poppa at the Red Rock Country Club!

During the 4th of July weekend we drove to Vegas to spend the holiday with my family, which this year included everyone! On the 3rd, Ethan got to practice his putting with his Poppa. He has been looking forward to golfing with his Poppa for weeks. As we were driving there, he kept asking if we were there yet because he didn't want to be late for golfing. He got very tired very quickly due to the fact he was running around after the ball also because it was 100+ degrees outside. I hope Ethan continues to have a love for golf. His Poppa sure loves it, and it would be wonderful for them to have a special hobby that they can do together.

Another eventful experience that Ethan was eagerly waiting for was riding (or driving) Poppa's "cart", or golf cart. This opportunity came that evening. Ethan, Reid, Jon, and my Dad rode in the cart to the Country Club where we were having dinner. My Mother & I drove separately...not so exciting Ethan said. He loves riding in the cart. This was also Reid's first time in the cart. He loves the outdoors and seemed to really like the cart ride. It was a great day the day before the 4th.

Wheel of Fortune

Ethan's favorite game show is Wheel of Fortune. Perhaps because Mommy loves the show, or perhaps because it has his favorite color red and letter and words that he just loves. Ethan has to try to say the puzzle before the people say it...this is with a little help from his Mommy. One funny thing about this show however is what he thinks they win at the end. He knows that they win money, he gets that, but he will always say at the end of the show: Oh, they didn't get their family back, or they got their family back! You see during the final puzzle, they introduce the contestants family and they are standing in the audience. If they win, the family gets to run down and be with them. If not, they are not seen at all. Ethan thinks either they get their family back (they win), or they don't (they lose). It is too cute!