4th of July Festivities 2013

We had quite the fun-filled 4th of July. The 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays, but to be honest, I have kind of felt out of sorts since living in Utah (it's only been 9 years- cut me some slack) because the 4th was so full of tradition in Idaho that I haven't felt that it was quite the same here. I have been back to Idaho for the 4th only a few times since living here, so it is high time that we make our own Utah traditions, right!? I think we are on our way. It still isn't quite the same as the Riddoch ward pancake breakfast, I.F. parade, swimming/floating the canal with friends in the afternoon, long nap, Riddoch BBQ, and then of course the best firework show west of the Mississippi along the Snake River (see I am nostalgic just talking about it), but we are getting there!

I am ashamed to say that I have not taken my kids to a parade on the 4th here yet. Until this year. We braved the crowds and went to the Provo parade, where we actually got front seats without camping out overnight. Us-1, them-0. Ha. The weather started out perfect, but after a while it got quite hot, which was fine because we were paraded out after about an hour. Che', Landon, Hudson, Carlie, Tim, Lynn, Barb, and Barb's daughter all met us for the parade, which was great fun.

Ready for the fun to start!

My Utah sisters

Love the Tim photo bomb on this one...

These two boys...they're just best friends and it is so cute. 

My favorite nearby Uncle :) 

Florinda has a strong affection for Tim. Carlie theorizes it is because they have the same color of skin. :) Whatever it is, she cozied right on up to him throughout the parade. 

Only in Provo, Utah would a crowd of missionaries first of all be in the parade and second of all have a standing ovation as they walked by. Serious. The vets, the governor...no one else got that.

After the parade, we walked home (so lucky that we live right by the parade route!) and got ready for our big BBQ. We had some of Devin's family over last year, so we thought we would continue the tradition this year. We had a blast with Shawna and kids, Alisa and kids, Shane and Marcene and kids, Mom and Dad, Kirston and Travis and kids, and my cousin Sarah, her husband Daniel, and baby Josh. We had great food and even better company. 

Some of the kids enjoying their hot dogs.

Cute Brynlee

Our house is not huge and our yard is not huge, but we do have a good little pavilion and some trees for shade, making it a great place to gather people. I love our little yard.

Megan

Shane refused to look, Brylee was to busy eating, so I got one person looking. Wahoo. 

Sarah, Daniel, Josh, and Hals. We love that Sarah and family live so close to us. They are great to have around.

After eating, the kids decided to play in the sprinkler, have a water balloon fight, and put on a dance party for us. Sean is a real professional as he takes clogging lessons, so he was not afraid to show us how it is done!

Hallie and Brynlee joined in...this picture is my favorite. So funny.

The kids all got a few sparklers (yes in the day-time-- Devin had to go to work so we wanted to do a few fireworks before he left). 

Our family. No need to worry that two of the three kids are in swimsuits and one is pulling her shirt off. Gotta love it. 

Shawna and Flor. So glad that they are here for the summer!

Throwing water balloons at Kayden. Really more like bouncing water balloons off of Kayden. :)

This one should be up top, but I am too lazy to move it. Cooking our mound of shish-ka-bobs...which were delicious. We just had wayyyyyyy too many! Better to have too much food versus too little, right?

Grandpa and Flor. 

lighting off some pretty lame fireworks

This picture cracks me up. Devin has always been a magnet for the kids, but for some reason  Miss Brylee  wasn't having any of him. 

Marcene, Alisa, Shawna, and me with Brynlee and sweet baby Emma

"Don't bother me while I am eating!"

Part of the crowd

just handsome

I think this is how we all felt after the partying was over! 

I debated taking the kids to the fireworks that night, but decided against it because we were all tired and the kids were a tad bit ornery. SO we opted to stay home and have a fun movie night instead, which was a good choice. Everyone had a good time, even if Hallie's face doesn't show it. :)

Hope your 4th was great!