Independence Day

This is by far my most favorite holiday! I love being outside. And this is the only day of the year where almost everyone is outside almost all day. We started the day by going to the hot air balloon contest and launch in Provo. There are about 15-20 hot air balloons that set up in the field next to the hospital, and they all launch at once (6:30 am). The pilots play games like trying to pop little helium balloons tied to strings way up high above the field. They get points for each one they pop, and do it to win some sort of prize at the end. Luke's favorite (and of course mine) was the flag balloon clad with stars and stripes! We got this great picture when we were on our way to Gandolfo's for breakfast after the balloons. This balloon had landed RIGHT on the sidewalk off of University Ave! Boppers pulled over real quick and we posed as they deflated their balloon.

Then we went to Galdonfo's (what is tradition in our little family of four) for4th of July breakfast. My dad had never been there, so I ordered him an Upstate and he was thrilled. I have created yet another upstate fan! After that we headed over to the parade where we got pretty good seats. It was nice and cloudy which made sitting on the concrete more bearable! We got to see our favorite bands and everything, it was just enough with three little kids in tote.



Then we went for a BBQ at the Davies house. My aunt and uncle and their kids, and my sister Heidi and hers, were all there. It was so much fun. The kids all soaked themselves in Brennan's new slip and slide and the adults got to catch up with one another. The day was not over yet...though! We headed on over to the Crosby's house where all the Garcias were. Luke and Kaiya got to play and swim together. The young and crazy boys then out on a firework show for everyone in the cul-de-sac which Luke loved and hated all at once. We then took our two exhausted children home where they hadn't been for about 18 hours...phew! ...only to wake up early the next morning for wedding festivities and another whole day away from home...