Independence Day

We started our 4th of July celebrating on the 3rd of July. Logan, a nearby town, did its major fireworks show on Thursday. These are the same fireworks Aaron and I went to on one of our first dates years ago. I haven't seen this fireworks display in 14 years. Back then, it was just him and I, this time I took along our five kids. Aaron was in his masters class than night so he missed out. It is especially fun to watch fireworks with a three year old. Vanessa oohed and ahhhhed in all the right places. She also told me which colors each firework had. The other kids were amazed to hear the sound of the fireworks ricochet off the mountains. I liked the fireworks with smiley faces especially the one that was sent upside down.

Another of our family traditions for the 4th of July is the Lewiston Parade. I love that is is small enough that it is fun and big enough that it is fun.

We parked at the home a cousin of my sister-in-law. It was the perfect place to be! It was right at the beginning of the parade route so it wasn't crowded and the kids received lots of candy. (More than I would like them to have.) We were next to three little old ladies who were more interested in the parade than the candy. That's strange. Our kids were able to "score" their candy as well.

My favorite part of the parade is always the soldiers carrying the flag. I grew up in a patriotic family and I love that I was taught to reverence the flag. I am grateful to be an American. I thank all the men and women who have sacrificed so much for the freedoms that I enjoy.
The Cache County Democrats handed out these fans. I was so excited to get mine, then Aaron reminded me that we were in Utah so I better put my democrat sign down or the kids wouldn't get any candy thrown their wayThis parade is done in a small farming community in Northern Utah so it wouldn't be complete without a tractor,
and horses,
and when there are horses, you have to have the pooper scoopers. I love Cub Scouts. What would the world be like without Cub Scouts?We are in Utah so there were several church organizations that joined in the parade.

It was a fun way to celebrate our nation's independence. We went to lunch with Aaron's parents then spent the night at my parent's house. We watched the fireworks from their front step only to find the neighbors tree has grown quite a bit since I was a kid so it blocked the view of some of the fireworks. Oh well, we were all pretty tired by then anyway.