Our fourth of July trip....finally!

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. With it brings family friends, the smell of a pool, the taste of BBq in my grandmas yard, homemade icecream, parades, warm night air, and the fun of fireworks. But the whole experience can only be complete in UTAH. Where most of my loved ones live.

For as long as I can remember we have been going to the parade in Provo, every year someone sleeps or goes early and saves our spot. We always get bagels and cream cheese and eat breakfast and hangout, For sure we have bee doing this for the last 14 years! It is always so much fun. This year was no different.

We did so much while we were on vacation for 10 days so I will just run you through it with pics!! aren't you LUCKY!

Before the fourht we took a little drive up the canyon to Sundance. The mountains are so beautiful. Truly one of the reasons I miss Utah. Sundace is so fun this time of year. We took the kids for a hike, had a little picnic and just enjoyed the beauty.























Fourth of July fun!!!! here we go....


Corey ran the 10K in the morning for the freedom festival. And my sis ran the 5 K
I was so proud of both of them.

I could see the morning hot air balloon launch from the runners place and took a pic. I love that too. My Dad is a hot air balloon pilot and I have memories of going to that as a kid. it is so fun!



THis photo I did with a slow shutter speed to try and capture the movement of the runners. I thought it would be cool...And it is!!! Corey is the Orange blur, HAHA!



The kids waiting.



My sis Kristee finishing the 5K {you GO GIRL!!}



Corey finsihing the 10 K





WOOHOOO! we are so excited!!!



We even had a celebrity siting...and got a pic with Steve Young.




Then the parade. Here is our big ol' group!



Brodey with Great grandpa Dewey



Then a birthday party for my nephew Jaxon, My sis made him this ticeratops cake! isn't it so cool!











After all that you would think we were totally worn out! but NOPE we were off to the stadium of FIRE! And saw the Jonus brother in concert. While we were there they did a special thing and burned (retired) the huge flag they have used for years
and hung in Salt lake city during the olympics. It was so fantastic!





















One Day we hung out with our fun friends the Nydeggars. But first stopped to see My Son Ethans favorite Artis Andrew Smith. He does kinetic art and is Amazing. My boys watch the video of his art ALL the time. He gave Ethan some old pool balls from one of the things he is creating for the childrens hospital.

see his website at: http://www.andrewsmithart.com/



Kurt is the life of the party.









We also went to seven peaks wich I did NOT take pics of..but before we went we visited grandma and grandpa Richmond (great grandparents to my kids) This is a rare picture. I NEVER thought I would get a pic with my kids and both of them. They were divorced since the time I first met corey and just recently got back together.



Corey went mountain biking at Deer vallye with his brother Kevin while I visited with old friends :)



Utah was a blast and very successful funfilled vacation.

GOODBYE! UtAH this pic was taken out of the car window on the way home.