July 4, 2011

We had an awesome Independence Day weekend this year, and a great 4th of July. We were able to sleep in until 9:00 a.m., went over to Main Street and enjoyed the parade, caught lots of candy and even a new tie, and watched the annual water fight. Here in K-ville, at the end of the parade, huge water trucks drive down the street blasting people with walls of water and everyone makes it a tradition by bringing water guns, balloons, and buckets and buckets and buckets of water to try and fight back. This year, someone tapped the fire hydrant, hooked up a hose, and soon the entire street was a river as the guys in the water trucks tried to defend themselves against the people manning the hose and hydrant. It was gnarly!

Next, we went down to the airport and picked up David who flew down to pick up Sharee and their family to take them up to their new home in North Dakota. We spent the rest of the day BBQ-ing, chasing kids around, and just enjoying the day. We went to the high school fields just before nightfall and checked out the carnival, snagged some snow cones, and saw Jeremy's favorite, the inflatable slides...

After nightfall, the skies came alive with fireworks all around us! This is the first year that they have allowed aerial fireworks and artillery shells in Utah and I'm pretty sure this 4th of July might single-handedly save Utah's economy in firework sales alone!  They were going off EVERYWHERE. The main fireworks show finally started, set to classic rock tunes with America themes. It was especially inspiring to hear Neal Diamond's "Coming to America!" (Yeah, Neal!!!) We finished the night watching "The Count of Monte Cristo," which is one of my all-time favorites. Great holiday for sure!

I'm not sure why, but this Independence Day hit me harder than it usually does. With all the turmoil and chaos in the world today, I'm so thankful for the freedom I have to enjoy a water fight parade and listen to Neil Diamond as I watch fireworks on the green grass with Amber and Jeremy. Having David here with us made it even more meaningful as I think about his service as a pilot in the Air Force. Most of all, I'm so thankful that this country which was founded upon the freedom of religion and worship, allowing for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored on the Earth. Having lived outside of the United States, I understand more fully what a blessing it is to live here and I'm so proud to be an American.