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.

4th of July 2013

Friends, BBQ, volleyball, sparklers, fountains, big booms and explosions in the air.

Oh, and don't forget The Man's blow torch.

The 4th of July for us looked like this:

 

A huge thank you to Rick and Heidi for inviting us over.  

It was the perfect night.

The Circus Does Chalk Art

We didn't have a whole lot planned for our 4th of July (Independence Day).  Normally we would have invited a bunch of neighbors and friends over for a BBQ and fireworks but our yard is kind of a mess as we're revamping our front garden after pulling the bushes out.

We're hoping we can still do our neighborhood BBQ on the 24th (Pioneer Day) but even if that doesn't happen I suppose we'll just have to have a BBQ on a regular day before fall hits.

The garden is coming along though, we're happy about it and I'll post some before and after pics when it's finished.

So back to the 4th.   We didn't really have any specific plans except I had my heart set on doing chalk art with the kids after going to the chalk art festival (here) and we got invited to a friend's house for a BBQ and fireworks so we were off the hook with The Circus on that one.

Jayme, Tayler, and I helped The Man gather rock in the hot morning for the walls we're building in the front garden.

As payment for that The Man helped us with the math of drawing out the grids for our pictures.

And with that we were content to draw and color on the cement for a good couple of hours before we needed to get ready to go to the BBQ.

Sean did a Zombietown sign:

Casidee did an exploding tardis (if you're wondering what a tardis is then you must not watch Dr. Who):

 Brynn did a minion:

Cali and her Power Puff Girl:

Jayme's Monster's Inc crew:

Tayler's alien sweeping leaves under the sidewalk:

And my minions.  I was going to to more of them in the background, but I ran out of yellow chalk.

 It was a lot of fun and The Circus was pretty proud of the outcome.

I think this is an activity that we're going to revisit.

I would highly recommend it.