Hot Air Balloons and Parade

 July 4

 Reluctantly, we decided we'd try to make it to the hot air balloons. Its the event the boys most remember about the fourth. We had to wake up about 5:00a to get there to make it worth it.

When we first got there, there was a life flight helicopter loading up a baby. So sad. I've never been this close to a helicopter. It was amazing the strength and force of the wind right before it took off. Pretty cool.

 This year they had a Darth Vader balloon for the first time. We were excited to see it. For the first time we watched all the Star Wars movies with the boys back in January or February. So the boys are starting to realize who these guys are. I'm surprise they weren't more nervous about getting a pic!

Unfortunately, the weather was NOT cooperating... We were there for about 45 mins before we learned that the balloons were NOT going to fly today. Sigh, bummer!

But a few baskets were out, some were blowing the flames

Here's the crowd

Some owners let the kids get in the baskets for photo ops. On the way out of this basket, Max reached up and tried to pull the cord to blow the flames! Haha The owner was pretty surprised and taken by back Max's attempt.

 As we were heading through the field to the car, we learned that some balloons would inflate at the most. So we decided to stay and watch. Its always soo cool to see and sooo great to be so close!

Where's Jon?

I had to lay on the ground to get this shot.

Then we grabbed some doughnuts and drinks for breakfast and headed over to the parade route where Lexie and Ben were saving a spot. Michael and Maryanne were also running the 5k-sweet! Unfortunately, we weren't there in time to see them pass by.

The overcast weather was GREAT for the parade! It didn't get as hot this year, and it even sprinkled a little.  The sun came out a little ways through the parade.

My favorite floats are the royalty floats. I love how pretty and glittery they are!

I love the canons too!

A few years ago, someone was selling swords out of foam swim noodles and PVC pipes along the parade route I bought a couple and the boys LOVED them!! I've been looking for them every year since but haven't been able to find them. (They sell them for $4 at Camp Jeremiah Johnson up Hobble Creek) Anyway, so when we were at the freedom festival I asked this guy who sold other things made out of noodles if he had any and it was being weird and cryptic and said no, but will have some on Monday. So I decided to go back and look on Monday. Lexie took me down on her scooter. But the guys booth was closed. At least, there was another booth that sold all sorts of swords, metal, medieval, ninja, etc. And he has some for kids they are heavier and seemingly higher quality. They have wooden handles and a smooth foam shaft.

Max trying to fight Zac, while on Adams shoulders. But as you can see...haha Max is poking Adams eye and he sword is falling. I suppose it was too heavy and Max was losing his balance!

After the parade we were going to eat at Zupas, but they were closed! So we went over to Rumbi with Michael and Maryanne. Currently, an effective way to get Max to eat his food is to tell him it builds muscles. He is show us his muscles that he has from eating his lunch.

Zac showing his too

They we headed to Jon's parent's hotel room and rested for a bit. After that we all had dinner at my parents. Smoked ribs and all works for BBQ. Good food! I wish I had taken some pics. But normally I'm too busy eating and relaxing that I forget to pull out the camera.

**November 18: I found this on Rachel's Facebook page**

Dinner

Happy Fourth of July!

A Quiet Sunday

 July 3

These are all taken with one of our phones.

We decided to head over to the fishing/duck pond out at Wasatch State Park and feed the ducks.

This is toward the north. Snow capped mountains.

To the South East

The river 

The ducks

The boys

Freedom Festival and Stadium of Fire

July 2

This will have minimal commentary

I've been going to the Provo Freedom Festival for years and year. I love it. Sadly, it has gotten more commerical over the years. Anyway, this fire department trailer has been there every year and I've never been able to catch the tour. But this year we did! The boys had a good time.

There is a simulation of a little house. And the firefighter talks about fire safety.

With fake smoke and smoke detector too

The kids then climb down the latter on the balcony off the upstairs "bedroom"

Since we missed Strawberry Days this year...(Jon had strep and we moved some stuff to the new house) We made sure the boys got to do a couple things.

The swings

They loved it!

 And a few runs on a bounce house

Then we met up with Jon's whole family, minus Dave, the missionary. We had an early dinner at Brick Oven-sooo good. Then we headed to their hotel to play in the pool...well, half of us did anyway. Then we walked to the stadium for the big show.

I loved that they had parachuters drop into the stadium it was so cool and it really brought the feeling of patriotism. They had 4 jumpers. Each one had different colors, red, white and blue.

Then the last one was red, white AND blue with the American Flag.

Cute Max, having fun clapping to, David Archuleta, I think.

The Fam

I think Cory was getting some food. I didn't want to miss the photo op. But I should have waited-sorry

Brad Paisley performing. Lexie was somewhere in the stadium in dreamland :) Paisley was pretty good. Im not a country music fan, but I really did enjoy the performance.

I actually remembered to bring the glow sticks this year! Half of them didn't work, unfortunately. But there was a enough to go around and have fun with.

 

One of Zac's broke and spilled on his shirt. He was pretty stressed about it.  Silly boy.

The fireworks show was phenomenal. It was choreographed and was the most enjoyable show I've ever seen. I love the finale with all the booms!

Then we headed home. We only hit about a mile of traffic that took us about 10 mins to get through. And it was timed perfectly because Max had to pee and it was a more rural road so I just ran him to a shadow with some bushes. I really know how to get around Provo during high traffic! ;) Mostly the key is where you park and where you need to go. We got home around 12:15a. But it was a fun day! I sure love the Fourth of July!

Attempted Hike to Clyde Lake

July 2

Jon and his Dad wanted to do a guys hike. They chose a hike in the Uintas, up off the Mirror Lake Scenic byway.

There was so much snow, they weren't able to get to the trail head. Maybe if they had taken the Pilot, it would have worked better? They ended up hike about a mile in to get to the trail head.

This is a stop sign a less than a mile from the trail head.

Snow drifts were 3-4 ft high

A couple large ponds that were frozen over

 

It was a fun little adventure for them. Due to snow and time, they only ended up going a few miles in and it wasn't following the trail. A couple weeks later we went camping in the Unitas and headed over that way and almost all the snow was melted.