Don'tcha love holidays

This is probably the first 4th of July I've really looked forward to since I moved away from home. We went to the Ridgrecrest fireworks for the first time last year and had a really nice time. Last year they had a local band play for a few hours and then at 7pm they had a really nice patriotic program put on by a traveling Christian youth choir group. Even though it was HOT we enjoyed sitting our blanket on a little section of green grass. The girls kept entertained by dancing around to the music and a friendly guy sitting next to us gave up his three glow bracelets (one for each kid to wear.) We enjoyed the fireworks and felt the sense of community to be celebrating alongside others who gathered there to watch.

So I was so excited to do it again. And I realized the change in attitude must be due to having established a tradition. Ah-hah, now I understand all that talk about traditions. There's just something special about them.

So we began the day EARLY by attending the stake flag-raising ceremony at 7am. (Even earlier for Nathan who went over at 5:30 to help set-up.) Enjoyed the band, a good patriotic talk, sing-along, and yummy breakfast treats.

Then we headed back to our air-contitioned house where Nathan spent most of the day entertaining kids so I could paint a living room wall.

The kids couldn't resist helping but that only lasted 5 minutes before they were shooed out to spend the rest of the time with Daddy.

Lydia, our resident pirate. Argh.

Yummy shepherd's pie dinner, Nathan's specialty.

Then we hurried off to the fairgrounds to claim our grass spot, enjoy the music, and of course spend some time at the electric train display for Sam.

It was cooler this year and actually pretty comfortable (for Ridgecrest.)

Anna was really into the dancing. She kept at it all night. When it comes to physical activity she's really like that energizer bunny; she just keeps going and going... Lydia and Sam had fun dancing too but nothing like thier dad and sister.

I had decided we'd buy our own glow bracelets this year. But when Sam and I came back with a light-up ray gun the girls weren't satisfied with just a bracelet. Luckily, for my wallet they settled on the light-up fan and agreed to share it between the two of them. Happy Independence Day!