Independence Day 2017

Red, white and blue fingernail prep:

Cas and Levi

Brynn, Brooklyn/Aftyn DeHaan, Max Parker, Simone Parker, Evynn DeHann, Tayler

Independence Day 2014

In a general sense of the word, the United States is a pretty good place to live.

We can argue politics until we're blue in the face, but when it boils down to it, I look at my life as it is, and the roads I have before me, and I know that I have been truly blessed to live in this country.

That's not to say that other countries aren't great as well, because they are, but this post is a recap of our Independence Day so all I need, really, is a *fist bump* and a 'Merica.

Or what have you.

This year it was just The Man and myself.

We made sure we covered the basics.

Concerts, face painting, and booths in the park.  Check.
Lemonade type drink.  Check.

Mexican Food... Well, 'Merica can't have them all.
Movie in a cool theater with popcorn and milkduds.  Check.
Sushi...
Discover the wonder that is Gordman's.  Check.
Rodeo.  Check.
(Everyone knows that the bulls are the best)

Motorcross.  Check.
(Those mountains in the background... perfection)

Sno-cones.  Check.
Big, giant, fantastical fireworks in the park.  Check.

It's no wonder that this holiday is my second favorite (108 days until Halloween).  The only things that were missing was swimming and The Circus.

As it is, I count myself lucky every day that the man I married truly is my best friend, and I couldn't imagine spending the holiday in a better way.

Pioneer Day 2013.

Since it's nearing the 24th of August I suppose I should post the pics of our 24th of July... which for you non-Utahans would be Pioneer Day, or the celebration of the day Utah became a state.

Which really means a second day in July to BBQ and blow stuff up into the sky.

Fireworks make me happy.

The last two years The Man and I have invited people over to hang out, BBQ on the front porch, and light fireworks.

This year I just wasn't feeling it.  I was tired, and I signed up for summer semester, which really messes with your attitude about summer, and we'd had to redo the garden in the front yard when all our bushes died and we had to pull them out.

But then I had an assignment for my nasty, terrible communications class and I needed to video myself doing a speech in front of 10 adults.

And I thought a good way to bribe people to come and listen to my five minute schpeel (on how to make a really good cake in the comfort of your own home, without paying bakery prices) was to offer them food in the form of  a BBQ.  So I said, let's do a BBQ on Saturday.  

And The Man said, if you're going to do a BBQ why not just do it on Wednesday, for the 24th?

And so we did.

On the evening of the 23rd, or neighbor and friend, Brandon, pulled up in front of our house with his truck and trailer.

to which I posted on facebook that it was just a BBQ and there was no need to camp out in front of our house.  Unless you wanted prime spots for the fireworks, in which case this would be a very good idea.

(He actually was just having West help him with something on his trailer).

(But my theory was much more fun).

On the evening of the 24th I grabbed the first 10 lucky people who caught my attention as the people started showing up on our lawn and dragged them into my basement to see my powerpoint (required by my teacher) and listen to me talk about cake.

And then the night was free for the good stuff.

Hamburgers, salads, desserts, and homemade ice cream.  Family.  Friends.

And fireworks.

Cali and Casidee had my camera through the night so the pictures are a little crazy, and a little grainy or blurry, but I think that has to do with they were also using my phone a lot.  They got some pretty fun shots I think.

Our 3rd annual Pioneer Day BBQ, in an overload of pictures, as happens to be my way of doing things.

 Someone who is a lot cooler than I am brought some cool glasses for the kids to watch the fireworks through.

Cali had the idea to take pictures through the glasses.

To me, this is the stuff that summer memories are made of.

Thanks to our neighbors and friends who come and made it so fun.