Fourth of July 2012

At the family barbecue, the Silly Grandma read our beloved Declaration of Independence to us. 

Later in the evening we set off some of our own little fireworks in the backyard.  The boys love to set the first ones off and then arrange the rest of the fireworks in such a way that they catch the remnants of the first fireworks on fire.

Their inner pyros finally had opportunity of expression.

Although I missed getting a picture of the F-16's at the parade, I got one as they flew across the valley to kick off the beginning of the Stadium of Fire.

Happy Independence Day!

Freedom Festival Parade 2012

Since this was our last Fourth of July while living in Provo (yes, we are moving to Carson City, Nevada in a few weeks--surprise!--if you didn't already know) I thought that we should be sure to go to as much of the Fourth of July celebration events that we could around here.  Unless Carson City has a better Fourth of July celebration than Provo, we might make the first week in July our vacation to Utah week.

Unfortunately, none of the boys wanted to go to the balloon launch because they didn't want to get up that early.  Luckily, they did want to go to the parade.  I took a lot of video this year.  I was too slow to catch the F-16's that flew by in formation at the very beginning of the parade.  But after that were the fire trucks.

I always love the bands--they are so parade-ish.  Most of the high schools in the area have their band in the parade.

Brandon and I liked this float.

The kids really liked the pipers.

Notice something at the end of the video below that will become a theme throughout the rest of my video and pictures.

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It's even more obvious in the video below.  Then see how much it shows up in the rest of my pictures.

If you have never heard this amazing lady's story, check her out here.

Buttermilk Sky thought it was hillarious to discreetly stick pine needles in my hair.

Three cheers for free hot dogs!

I guess this is what Buttermilk Sky thought of the parade.

This is the theme I was talking about--this old cowboy's hand was waving for most of the parade.  At first I tried to avoid getting his hand in my pictures but after a while it became kind of endearing.



Bye bye, parade!

4th of July 2011

We hope you all had a fabulous Fourth of July!

Stewart Falls

We hiked up to Stewart Falls during the 4th of July weekend with the Silly Grandma and some cousins, aunts, and an uncle.

It was a beautiful day and rather cool for the season.

Normally, hiking up to Stewart Falls is a three or four mile hike, but the Silly Grandma informed us that she had an "in" to a short cut. And a short cut it was! I think it was a fifteen to twenty minute hike one way at a nice, easy pace.

Good thing, too, since some of the boys were tired after being at the parade all morning.

After our short cut trail met up with the "real" trail, the people that we passed who were leaving the falls gave us encouragement. "Just a little bit farther!" and "You're almost there!" Words that would have been appreciated had we hiked the full distance but after our mini hike made me giggle inside.

Being the 4th of July weekend, it was really crowded at the falls.

But still very beautiful.

As we drove away after the hike, Eggs on Toast asked if we were going home. When we affirmed this, he said, "Finally! Now we can have some fun."