Friday, July 4, 2008

I'ts a great day for a parade...

4th of July is my favorite holiday. I love saving spots for the Freedom Festival parade in Provo, I do it most years that we are in town. This year I snagged our favorite shady spot on University Ave. and we had some neighbors, family and friends join us for a fun time.

"It's a great day for a parade!" I heard this from Kimberly's friend Megan, who apparently heard it earlier from Kimberly. Whoever said it, it was so on the mark. It was a perfect morning...

Andrew and his cousins, Devan and Scott came and stayed the night so I didn't have to. Rick brought them a little flat-screen and a PlayStation. They also had tons of food...I think they had a good time sleeping out there. Andrew didn't sleep at all, he said that he stayed up all night.

We had a few neighbors come and join us, as well as my family, Rick's family and some friends. The weather was perfect, a cool 87 degrees and a little breeze with some cloud cover (maybe those shady spots weren't as important after all). Rick LOVED every minute of the weather (he hates to be hot), which made it so that he could tolerate a parade.

Janessa, Brynlee & Nathan waiting for the parade to start...

Sadie & Janessa...

The parade always starts with a fly-over by the Hill Air Force jets. Rick always wants to go home after that (unless it is cool and he has a chair, then he will stay).

Then comes the start of the parade led by our country's flag.

Then the emergency vehicles (this year there were a LOT of them). Nathan was really into it in the beginning. Notice him right up front, waving to the fire truck.

This is my friend Tracey's daughter, Rachael. She didn't like the sirens at all.

The local politicians always are in fancy cars driving down the parade route. However, Governor Huntsman never is in his fancy car. He walks with his family, giving high-fives and shaking people's hands. I actually think it's pretty cool that he does that...so do the kids, they always get him to give them five...he sure knows how to secure those future votes.

It's always nice to honor those that serve our country. This parade always makes a big effort to focus on them.



We loved seeing Glen Beck.

Then there are the L.D.S. missionaries. They always get the biggest cheers from the crowds, with everyone up on their feet. I wonder what the new ones, especially from other countries, think of this...pretty fun for them, I would imagine.


Then we have all of the local beauty queens...

The local football heroes...

And, there are always lots and lots of local high school marching bands. Andrew is on the American Fork Marching band, the best in the state of Utah. However, he is in the auxiliary/pit this year, which means that he doesn't march with the band...he plays in all of the field shows. He was pretty happy when his friend Christian, and the rest of his band, marched by in their full uniforms. He finally woke up from his state of relaxation to wave at someone! They are such an amazing band, he feels it a privilege to be a part of it in any way he can.

Nathan, his neighbor Parker, and his cousin Brynlee, all enjoying the parade.

This is my friend Ann's new little great-niece. Her name is Ava and I wanted to steal her. She was such a doll. Her onesie said, "Little Miss Firecracker."

My niece, Elizabeth.

Nathan...

Harrison...

Janessa's friend, Elizabeth, delivered flyers for one of the floats. We all cheered her on like she was a celebrity.

Ivan & Chell...

Wade & Stephanie...

Dave & Ann...

My nephew Mark and his cute new wife Aersta. She said that she hasn't been to a parade since she was little. Her dad hated them. I don't think she was that impressed with it. I hope we can still talk her into coming next year. Maybe we should have broken her in with a smaller, shorter, parade.

Scott & his friend Stephanie...

My adorable Marianne...

My friend Tracey's mom and her daughter, Katherine...

Daryn & Kristi...

Me & Rick...

Parker & his Grandma...

Tracey & Jack...

Megan and my cute nieces Kimberly & Lisa...

My brother Paul, his wife Mary & son Brad came from Cedar City to spend the 4th with us (also Blake and Brynlee, but they're not in the picture)...

Me & Brad...

Andrew's eyes when he hasn't slept all night (self portrait). He refused to put on anything red, white and blue for me. I guess he thought saving these great seats all night long was good enough.

Elizabeth again, she is just too cute to just post one picture of her...

Oh, she is such a cutie!

My nieces Amanda, Alyssa & Stephanie...

Rick always teases my nieces. Marianne said that he is always throwing things at them. At the parade, it was m&m's and at the Stadium of Fire it was glow sticks. Rick loves to tease.

Brynlee...

Rick's sister and his mom...Leslie & Baba...

Janessa went to numerous stores, searching for the "perfect" 4th of July outfit. She did a pretty good job!

Tracey's family came all the way from Texas!

Bryce & Cale...

Mathew...

Remember how excited Nathan was at the beginning of the parade? This is Harrison & Nathan at the end of the parade...

Everyone had a great time! What a fantastic start to the 4th of July holiday...celebrating everything American.

3 comments:

Stacey said...

Your pictures make me wish we had gone!

Carolyn said...

Great pictures. They told the whole story.

Darrell said...

Glad you had a great 4th July!

Darrell, Jenny and family

ps - Sorry, it was me that deleted previous post comment! I put it on the wrong one!