HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

Let me just start by saying that this is probably my favorite holiday. I look forward to it all year and it is always gone too fast. That being said, pardon the length of this post, but, I love America and the chance to celebrate our freedom!!

Since we moved back to Utah 4 years ago we started the tradtion of going to the ballon fest the day before the 4th. It is such an early morning, but so fun to see all of the balloons blow up and then take off. The kids love it, and they hardly know where to look first. As cheesy as it sounds, I find myself teary eyed every year as I watch the kids so happy as we do something that can only be done once a year. In fact, I find myself choked up a lot on this day as I will explain farther down the page.

This balloon went right over us; I had to duck so I wouldn't get hit by the basket. It was awesome!!

Parade

No 4th of July would be complete without the Provo City parade. Again another early morning, but there is serious competition to get a good spot. This year Ricky tried something new. If you notice the tent in the top picture of this post you will realize that people actually sleep out to save there spot for the parade. Crazy? This year Ricky joined those crazy people and took Brax, Burke, Ellie and Ash and they campled out all night on the side of University Ave. They actually did get some sleep despite the rain at 1:00 in the morning. This is one of those things I get teary about because the kids will never forget the year the slept on the side of the road to get a good spot. So Fun!!

Ellie loves these little crown things they sell every year. Since she is the only girl she gets one without having to ask more than once.

At the beginning of the parade they had all of the emergency vehicles with their sirens on. Holy Moley it was so LOUD!! For like 5 minutes you coudn't hear anything but sirens. It was great! Ashton was in heaven and we could barely get him to sit down for this picture. He jumped and pointed and yelled with joy at sight of endless fire engines.

Annual BBQ
After the parade we always head to my parents for a BBQ witht he neighbors who are like family which ends in a water fight without fail.

Before everything got started we had a snake cathing party in the backyard. There are two garden snakes that live under the patio and all the grandsons wanted my dad to catch them. To do what with I don't know. So, my dad put the hose under there to force them out. All of us womenfolk thought it was mean and that they would drown for sure. But as you can see it worked and the both came out and were terrified I am sure.

This was the highlight of the afternoon for Braxton. Since he has a broken arm he couldn't play outside with everyone because he couldn't get wet and the kids are so crazy. He actually fell on the stairs and hurt his arm, so he opted to stay inside and watch a movie. Thankfully he made the most of the snake situation which he totally enjoyed!

Bradley was a hoot to watch. Ther was a slip n slide fort he kids and he thought it was the neatest thing. He would walk on it and slip and then he woul laugh and laugh at himself. He is a water baby and could't get enough of everything going on.

This is a perfect picture of summer to me. Sitting on the sidewalk eating popsicles. Does it get better than that?

Stadium of Fire
At the last minute we decided to go to the Stadium of Fire. I love going to this and go as often as we can. This is one of those times when I am emotional the whole time! My favorite thing about the Stadium of Fire is when the F-16's fly over. I love seeing them because it means that we are free and there are people protecting us. There is nothing that can immitate the noise and the rush that comes with those jets. It is awesome to me!

This is just us waiting for the show to begin. So much anticipation!

The main perfomers for the night were the Jonas Brothers. As they are on the Disney Channel all the time the kids were excited. We pummed up for the concert by listening to their popular songs all week long in the car. It was so fun to know almost every song they sang and the kids loved it. Ellie was singing and was thirlled when they played her favorite song "Year 3000." This is her with Joe Jonas in the background.

The neatest thing they did all night, to me, was the retirement of a giant flag that nearly covered the football field. The had probably 20 soldiers each carrying an American flag walk in and line either side of a pathway. Then they had another 20 or so soldiers slowly walk in this ginormous rolled up flag which they walk to a big torch to burn. It was dead silent as they slowly walked in; you could have heard a pin drop. All of my kids, even Ash watched reverently as they waked it in and placed it in the torch to burn. As you can guess, I was nearly a puddle. Thankfully the lady next to me was just as emotional. As soon as they lit the flag on fire, a choir started singing patriotic hymns and the fireworks started and were unbelievable! It was grand if that can even describe it. I love fireworks, and even watching them I get emotional. I have such a deep love for America and the freedoms we enjoy. Simple things like watching fireworks with my family. We are so blessed to be Americans. God Bless the USA!!