The day always starts with the parade. The kids and I join my folks and our friends the Infangers on 4th st. to watch. It's been a tradition since I was a little girl, and although the parade route comes less than 1/2 mile to my house now, I still have to drive to 4th to sit with my folks and watch it.
Jarom has a strong dislike for the parade, so he never comes. He says that floats like this are exactly the reason why. But I don't care, it gives me a sense of community pride to see all the high school bands, the pack mule team, the El Korah carts, the church floats, and the dirt bike performers doing their things down the streets of the the city.
After the parade we headed over to Jarom's folks' and spent the day playing on the Banzai Falls, hanging out in the shade, playing with cousins, and eating good food.
Carter enjoying the Banzai.
Jarom and his mom.
Emily looking pretty as always.
Payson gives a thumbs up.
Alyssa and Megan warming up after LOTS of water.
Becky in her hot-cha-cha swimsuit and Paris Hilton Sunglasses.
Natalie and Alex enjoying a game of volleyball.
After a full day of fun, we all headed down to the river to watch the fireworks. Melaleuca provides us with "The Freedom Celebration", the largest fireworks display west of the Mississippi. The fireworks are coordinated with music that plays over one of the local radio stations and boy does it make for a great show. The bad part is trying to get back home along with 100,000 other people (not exaggerating) trying to do the same thing.
I'll post more of the weekend later. We had a great time and are now exhausted from all the fun. It's time to recover....I'm off to bed. Hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend too.
Hey!! I'm the first to comment! I think we had the same blogging minds...I was up blogging too! It's good to be back home. That comment about Jarom not going to the parade, and the picture of the monster truck is too funny. Hee he he.
ReplyDeleteI told my family all about your fourth of July traditions. One year, I think I will come up your way....if I am willing to scrape up gas money. Sheesh! Anyway, happy fourth Elena!!
I think that Idaho just knows how to celebrate. When we lived in Boise we went to the River Festival and it was so fun and had the best firework display I have ever seen. We so miss that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun 4th you had.
Looks fun! I love the "biggest fireworks diplay west of the Mississippi" slogan...I've heard that bragged in 2 other towns west of the Mississippi over the years. We are a proud nation! I miss the river festival How hot was it in I.F?
ReplyDeletethank you, thank you, thank you for keeping my swimsuit looking hot cha-cha by cropping out the bad parts! (: we certainly make the 4th a very fun and memoriable day here in idaho falls! so glad we were all together.
ReplyDeleteI have a bit of "parade aversion" too--and crowd aversion--so 4th of July there probably wouldn't be the best for me :)! It does look fun though! Very cute pictures!
ReplyDeleteHope you aren't sick of us yet! We are all looking forward to Saturday at Ross Park!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great 4th! I LOOOOOOVE the kids in their matching outfits-- so adorable! You have so many great pictures! Jarom, what a bum... oh wait, I didn't go to the parade either...
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