Independance Day Celebration!

We started out the holiday weekend by traveling to my hometown of Richfield Utah. When we got there we called some of our friends and went to visit. Then we went to dinner with my dad (my mom is recovering from surgery, so she rested) to "The Little Wonder Cafe". The adults all got the special which was steak, potato, soup and salad for $8.95. We also got entertained by some really white trash. (Click on pictures to view bigger)

After dinner, Chris went to visit his friend and get some pointers on the art of all that is guitar playing, and the rest of us went to the children's parade. The children's parade consists of a crowd of kids with their bikes decorated, followed by each ward with mom's and dad's pulling wagons and pushing strollers. It was one way to see some friends, but the bikes went by pretty fast so we mostly saw the babies with their parents. Hot and tired parents.

After the parade we went and visited our friends, the Brown family. They invited us over for root beer floats. The kids played with their chickens and explored while the parents chatted. It was a nice visit. Then we went to say hello to Grandma and Grandpa before heading back to the hotel for swimming and sleeping.

The next morning is the big Parade! We went to the firework stand and purchased fireworks. We used the money we earned by recycling our pop cans. We each got to spend $2! Which doesn't sound like a lot, but it was enough for a nice little show. The lady who helped us has been selling fireworks every each since she was born. She loves the 4th of July!

We got to the parade just a few minutes before it started. It was a great day for a parade. The sky was overcast so we didn't get too hot. We did see this interesting sight though. A man covered in tattoos with a huge snake drapped around his neck like a scarf, pushing a stroller with a cute little kid in it. What a sight!

After the ping pong ball truck came by, the real parade started. We watched the flag go by. (the boys in the brown shirts are our friends the Brown's)

We saw kids doing gymnastics on a trampoline on the back of a flat bed trailer. I'm glad my kids weren't on that float!

Candy was thrown in great abundance. I have decided that I'm sorta in love with the pear taffy. It's the green kind with the yellow center. Try it, you won't regret it (unless you don't want to like it, then you will regret it because you will want to eat it). You are welcome.

Horse and carriage. It was funny because the people are dressed like pioneers, and then they take a drink of bottled water. Authenic huh?

More candy is thrown and gathered. Notice the look of sheer joy on Connor's face.

Fancy car...

Anna
More candy, more cavities and upset tummies

Tractor...one of many

I call this Mr. Mister. He has a pressure washer set on mist and misted the crowd. It felt really good and cooled us right off.


The conclusion of the parade. 3 tired and hot kids

After the parade, it's imperative you go to the park. Along with 5,000 other people. I wish I would have gotten pictures of the crowd! I was too busy making sure nobody got lost. It's easy to do. People love Richfield for the 4th. People who have moved away come back for the 4th. It's a great place to see old friends and neighbors. It's also a good place to feel a little overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people. We stayed long enough for Anna to ride a horse and the kids to get a snowcone. We visited with a couple of people but not many. It was just too much for me!
After the parade we went in the mountains to one of my very most favorite places in the world! Monrovian Park. My dad brought his grill and we cooked hamburgers and hot dogs. Chris had his guitar and practiced a bit and then my brother Michael (most people call him Rob) played it a bit. Isn't he cute?
Tristan read of course. Grandpa took the kids and the dog for a walk to throw rocks in the creek. It was really peaceful and quiet. I love to hear the water from the creek. It's so soothing and peaceful.

Tristan discovered this snake. It was a rattler.

Chris followed it to
The bushes and took a bunch of pictures. I stayed far away and told my mom that if it bit him I would kill him. He was fine and got some pretty cool pictures.


Chris was tired, it was so cool and peaceful that he couldn't resist a little cat nap.

After the picnic we went back to Grandma's and rested a bit and watched some tv. Grandpa took Anna to feed the horses. We waited for dark so we could light our fireworks and see the big show that the town puts on. We had a great spot by Grandma and Grandpa's house. The fireworks were really good, we had fun.

After the parade we went home. We didn't get home until after 1am! It was a fun trip though, I'm glad we went. It was nice to see our friends and family. But it is good to be home.