Everyone was home for the July 4th holiday-we picked up Sarah from EFY early that morning, and the boys had gotten home from their rafting trip the night before.
July 4th has traditions, attending the same activities every year. We start off watching the parade. We park in the same spot, sit in the same spot. Our stake had a float in the parade this year and that was fun to see. Of course, it is like Halloween for all of the kids with all of the taffy they get. I am happy that none of the kids like black licorice taffy. Yum, yum!
We head over to Murray Park afterwards-the best activity is the money scramble. All the kids look for money in the wood shavings. I couldn't believe how much the kids were each able to find-it was substantial enough to have to pay tithing on the next day... After they had let all age groups look for money twice, they let everyone have at it. One boy was smart and had his metal detector. He never looked for moeny, only helped others to find money. He was officially named "Metal Man." William was the most interested in lookin for money with the metal detector.
Tim won the balloon toss with an old missionary companions (one of his favorites) who now lives in Murray, and the kids also got squirted by the fireman's hose. It hasn't been nearly as hot as normal years, but it was still plenty hot to get wet.
After a BBQ at home, we packed up with some yummy treats and headed to the softball fields. Every year there is a live band to listen to until the fireworks go off, synchronized to music. The best band was Ryan Shoope and the Rubberband, but this year was equally as good. A bluegrass band performed, and I decided after that performance that it is some of my favorite music to listen to. The kids ran round the field (dodging other families there) while the music played, and then we had a spectacular show of fireworks.
And, in memory of all the many years of doing fireworks with Carole, we did a bunch as a family after we got home. We always think of Carole the nights we light off fireworks, only hers were always in a much grander scale. Happy July 4th!

Nathan helping the Youth Chamber of Commerce with tattoos.