Wow we have had quite some weekend!  We start with the 4th.  It was jammed packed with fun stuff.  We woke up at 5:30 am and went with Corey to help road block for the 5K firecracker run here in Idaho Falls.  The kids had fun watching the runners go by and seeing some fun costumes people had on. Then straight from the race we went to the parade.  We didn’t get a nice shady spot this year so it got pretty hot.  Luckily we were well covered in sunblock.  Then it was off to Gem Lake to hang out with our friends and play in the sand.  We stayed there for a good 4 hours.  Unfortunately some of us did get sunburned after 4 hours.  Mainly it’s because they forgot to reapply on their shoulders.  Later we were lucky to have Nami and Nampa Edwards join us for the fireworks.  The show was an hour late because a 27 year old kid decided he wanted to swim to the island in the middle of the Snake river and drowned.  They had to search the river and postpone the fireworks for an hour.  So sad, it kind of put a damper on the festivities.  By the time we got home we were beat.  Sophia fell asleep in the bike trailer before the fireworks even started so she missed the whole thing.  I guess it will be a year we never forget.

waiting for the parade

Corey and Sophia walking on the sandbar

Preston and his little buddy Seth playing in the water.

She may look sweet and cute here but…

she covered herself in sand. It was everywhere.

waiting for the fireworks

Sophia and her good friend Candice. Her mom made cute outfits for them.

We have a tradition of going to the parade every year.  This year was no different.  The kids love the parade.  At one point in the parade a live band with drums and guitar went by and Levi just started rocking out.  Corey started to record unfortunately he missed the best part but still got a little snippet for you to enjoy.

After the parade we played and ate lunch with some friends at Gem Lake. We did this last year and I think it should become another of our traditions. Later in the evening we like to watch the fireworks. We usually go to a place off Skyline near our house but one of our friends invited us over to see them in their backyard. This was really fun too. Corey and I forgot the camera so no pictures of the fireworks this year. I love that even though we are far away from family we still feel like we have family close. The friends we have made in this neighbourhood are great. What a great way to celebrate our country’s birthday. Hope you all had a great 4th too.

Waiting for the parade

Our big group trying to squish in the shade