Fabulous Fourth...and Third and Fifth

I love the Fourth of July. I have since I was about 4 years old and we lived in Provo. I used to walk to the corner of the block every day (starting on about June third) and see if the carnival was set up yet. We always went to the parade (this was before people camped out for spots and you could just go at a reasonable hour on the morning of the parade and find a decent spot...but I digress), then we would go swimming at Lee and Milt's pool. At night we would watch the fireworks from our back deck on the second story of the house so we could see over the tall apricot tree. These are some of the best memories of my childhood, I hope that I am making some good memories and fun traditions with my own children.
Since the actual 4th was on a Sunday this year, the festivities went on all weekend.
On Friday the 2nd we went to the balloon festival. This is one of our favorite things-worth getting up at 5:45 for. This year there was too much wind for the balloons to take off, but it was fun to walk around and see them all inflated.


On the evening of the third, we went to Jeff's annual "watch-fireworks-and-eat-homemade-ice-cream" party. Rachel went to the Stadium of Fire with Bonnie and Allison to see Carrie Underwood--she had a great time. We had a great time visiting and eating. Kevin was so patient with the little boys lighting fireworks, and dancing around in the smoke. Paul thought it looked a lot like "Lord of the Flies", but they all escaped without injury
On Sunday we went to Grandma Keith's for dinner and more visiting. Rachel stayed over night at Grandma's so that she could go to the parade in the morning--We took the boys to the Orem City Summerfest Parade in June, so don't feel too bad for them.
Jen and Eric's party on the 5th was fabulous as usual.
We were talking with the little boys on the way, asking what their favorite part of the party is...the water balloon fight, the sack races, the fishing pond, tattoos and hair coloring...I said, "the food" Jake responded, "There's Food?" Obviously my kids are so busy having a great time they have missed out on one of the all-time great summer pot lucks-more for me!
Patriotic hair styles, and cotton candy
Fish pond frivolity

I love this baby!
Ben and Brig with their leader, Spencer
The hotly contested sack races
Sarah and I in our matching outfits-yes my shirt is see through-it's just that kind of a party!