The 4th Of July!

In the morning of the 4th we woke up to some of the cousins that had slept over. Cache obviously loved it! It's been fun for the boys to get to know them again since they don't remember from our last trip. The girls were really good to take care of them both all day long.

After the 5K run we gathered at the street. Most of the people in the front of the frame are members of my family. The rest of the street is filled with neighbors and friends that just live around the neighborhoods.
 This is my favorite time of year. I remember many years of parade watching, playing in the street with no shoes, and candy, lots and lots of candy. It's fun to come back and show this to my kids. Something that has always been so special to me. I hope to keep doing this in the future. I also realized as the fire trucks drove by and the flag was presented, how important it is to teach our children to be patriotic. We have lost a love for our country. It's been lost in the shame of mistakes made by our politicians and citizens. But, there are men and woman that gave their lives that we might use this land as a place to be free. Free from tyranny. Free to worship as we see fit. We need to remember why this country was founded in the first place. And show respect for our country and those that still serve.  (Off soapbox now)

Cache loved the parade. He took all the freedom given (and then some) to catch candy and walk in the middle of the street. (Something he still thinks is ok to do.) Here he is waving and saying "HI" to the people passing.

Can't you just feel the excitement in the air?? And there is no mistaking the looks on their faces. We really had a good time.
Cache was especially in love with the candy. He would walk out in the middle of the street to pick it up. He got pelted in the head a few times with flying taffy. He would scavenge it from the gutter. He would eat it out of the wrapper with one hand and suck on something else in the other. He would eat it, and share it, then eat it some more. 
I think we are all still on a sugar high. The kids are strung out from exhaustion. It's dry here so Ronin has also lost his voice. They are awake early in the morning playing in the yard and up late till they drop to sleep in the car or in someone's lap. It's everything a summer trip to Utah is supposed to be. Can't wait until tomorrow!