4th of July

We didn't do anything very exciting for 4th of July weekend.  After our camping trip the weekend prior and a lot of outings during the week it was nice to just stay at home for the weekend.  Plus the 4th of July weekend crowds are out in full force.  And I like to avoid crowds.  :)  So we had some nice low key family time at home.  But on 4th of July we went out into the world!  We went to watch a 4th of July parade in a neighboring city.  We found a place to sit but it was near the end of the parade route.  It wasn't too hot so that was nice.  Here we are setting up.

Growing up we had a church (stake) breakfast on 4th of July morning.  Sometimes it was at a park and sometimes at the nearby university (CSUF).  I think there were usually donuts, live patriotic music and a kid's bike rodeo involved.  I liked going to those events 'cause two of my best friends were in our stake, but a different ward, so I always liked to see them.  And sometimes we were able to plan get togethers for later in the day.  Now I always try to push special 4th of July breakfasts on people.  I even planned one in our ward in Illinois but then we moved before I got to enjoy it.  I still feel like you should have donuts on the 4th of July.  And I miss those two friends.  :(

The kids were excited to have donuts.  We don't have them often.

Excited to get started.  Some firetrucks in the parade were parked near us and Scott was able to take the kids over to see them beforehand.

Before the actual parade was the classic car cruise.

We all liked that and picked out which car was our favorite.

Then the parade began in earnest.

I think they said this parade has been going on for over 140 years!

Here are a few pics...

The high school kids had to march in the hot sun and hot uniforms

But the adults got to ride wearing T-shirts.  :)

Being at the end of the parade route we didn't get much swag (I didn't even know to expect goodies but Scott filled me in - he is a more experienced parade goer than I).  Matthew got a flag so he was happy about that.

The kids got these fans from a local bank too

Grant was having fun

We saw a dragon

And lots of horses

We had a great view and lots of fun.

Although Grant asked us a lot when it would be over.  Mostly toward the end.

I liked the bands best.

Hi Emma.

On the 20 minute drive home everyone fell asleep.  Except Matthew.

At home we relaxed for a bit and listened to patriotic music.  

Matthew and John made red white and blue skewers.

Anna got a new cookbook recently and wanted to try out some recipes from it.  She made guacamole from scratch.  Good job Anna.

She also made these baked star shaped tortilla chips!

Matthew and John eye their creations!

We enjoyed them at dinner.

We had hot dogs and hamburgers, grilled by Scott.

John didn't make it to dinner.  He was napping on the couch.

We drove a short way to watch the local fireworks display.

Fireworks are legal in our town but illegal in our development (I think because it is close to a large natural area).  And you aren't allowed to just buy fireworks and go set them off at a park.  So we didn't get to set any fireworks off of our own.  We had fun watching the town fireworks.

Then went home and put everyone to bed.

One year ago we had JUST moved into our house.  Has it been a year?

Yes.  I must post a house update soon.

Bonus Photo!!

Here are me, one of my BFFs and the Fab Four.

I'm pretty sure this photo was taken one 4th of July morning.  That's how awesome these stake breakfasts were!  Just kidding.  Sort of.  This photo (the part of me, between Paul and George, and my friend, between George and Ringo) was really taken on one of those 4th of July mornings at the stake party (by our other BFF who didn't like to be IN the pictures as much) and then heavily photoshopped by my friend in the picture...this was over 20 years ago.  She rules.   This is a picture of a copy.  The original is a lot better looking. I had a digital version once...long ago.  Anyway, like I said, I miss those girls.  Happy Fab 4th of July!