July: Utah Vacation Part 4 (4th of July)

I haven't been home for the 4th of July since we moved to Oregon. Because of my sister's wedding, I had a 2 week layover in Utah and ended up being here for all of the festivities. Brian had flown back to Oregon to resume work, planning on joining us for the tail end of our trip. So, while he worked away, we enjoyed ourselves at the Davis City 4th of July Parade. Now, this is no ordinary parade. First of all, it is so small scale that all the floats go the route twice. Secondly, the handouts were amazing! We had stuffed animals, ties, candy, candy, and candy! Plus, they even had free rides to go on and a giant water fight at the end. If I am ever in Utah again on the 4th, this is a must see event.

One of a couple of floats.

The family basking in the shade. My mom's sister introduced us to their favorite parade on the 4th. They made believers out of us.

The kids ready to load up on the free give-a-ways. Also a few adults making sure we got the "good" stuff.


Those oxen were amazing and awesome. This pic was for Brian and Roger. They would have loved being pioneers.

The free events included a giant slide. Andrew was fearless upside down.


Lizzy literally toppled over and over all the way down.

A little martial arts action (Lizzy won).


Then the big girls had a turn (Chelsea and I called it a draw).

Then the parade ended and all the floats lined up for a 3rd time on the route, this time with water ammo for the most amazing city water fight I have ever been a part of...well...I took pictures.


This is my mom and her sister Kathie. A happy day for both of them. My aunt has terminal cancer and this was a great day for making memories.


The crew happy and dry...


Then the water fight began!


I continued to move further and further away from the street.


Nettie was not holding anything back. Watch out crowd, she has a bazooka!

The crew after the fight and very, very, wet.


As if this whole event wasn't enough, after all the floats had gone through the parade route, they loaded all the spare candy onto a helicopter which then dispersed it all over a baseball field. Then it was mayhem as kids rushed the field to get more goodies!

After the parade the festivities continued at my Aunt Kathie's house where my cousin Mark entertained the kids with a homemade slip-n-slide.

All the grandkids loved it.


Even Ethan who fearlessly went belly first.

What a memorable 4th, complete with fireworks at my parents house that night and then a race around Provo, trying to find the best view for the Stadium of Fire fireworks show. Happy 4th of July!