July 4th Festivities

I love the 4th of July. It is my favorite holiday. Most like Christmas. Nope, not me. Mainly because all the family gets together but also because I don't have to give presents to everyone like at Christmas. Don't get me wrong. I love giving presents to others. I give presents to my kids all the time. And I usually have Christmas all bought for by July but what I don't like is my kids expecting a present when I wish they would realize the true meaning of Christmas. I guess what I don't like is being forced to give my kids presents when they might not have deserved a present. I don't like to reward my kids when they are rotten. But I do love to spoil my kids when they are good! Whew, I got off on a tangent.
The 4th of July festivities started on Sunday, June 27th. We went to the Patriotic Service at the Marriott Center. Besides the Glenn Beck patriotic service a couple of years ago, this one was my favorite one. I loved the music, singing, stories, and saluting our soldiers. It made me proud to be an American.
My brother and sister in law came into town and stayed with us. We had so much fun. Kailene was in heaven to have her same age cousin, Davis, to play with. Viva (3) was a doll and could talk your ear off (especially around bedtime). She played on our loft for hours alone. We were able to go swimming, go the Cedar Hills park and tube down the stream, watch the World Cup (my brother is a fanatic!), and BBQ's. We loved the company!!
Saturday we went to Stadium of Fire. I love Stadium of Fire. It brings back so many memories as a kid. It is a tradition and we make it so much fun. Carrie Underwood was great as always. She has the most incredible voice! I love her new songs, Undo it and All-American Girl. The fireworks were spectacular. Preston would ask me everyday if we were going to see the fireworks. He loved them which has not always been the case. When he was little, he would hide under the bleachers. Now he can't get enough of them. Brad was even in Stadium of Fire this year as a scout. He and his 3 other cousins held flags on the grass and got even better seats than us! And of course we love going to the after show in the Cougar room for food and mingling with extended family and friends. We were able to see the Lowe family. I grew up with them. They even named one of their daughters after me (Karalece). The dad just kept hugging me over and over. We hadn't seen them in 15+ years. It was pretty amazing to see them. They are a great and amazingly talented family.
Monday we went to the parade. Nothing is better than the Provo parade. We are spoiled because we always have reserved seating on the bleachers in the shade (with my dad being on the freedom festival board) but his year we were cold in the shade! The kids loved the parade. That night we went to my parents and had a BBQ, baseball at the park and fireworks. I love having my parents home (they have been on a mission for the past 18 months). It was the perfect end to my favorite holiday.
BTW: We have a new camera and took a ton of pictures but don't know how to shrink them yet and get them uploaded. Pictures to come...