Utah July 2008 Part 2 - 4th of July

Ahhh, the 4th of July in East Millcreek, Utah! Nothing could be better...seriously. I truly think the 4th is my favorite Holiday. Of course I love Christmas, but it gets too stressful. The 4th is kick back with family and friends, eat good food, and be grateful for God and country. Here are some various pictures throughout the day with captions.
The morning always starts with the annual Millcreek Parade. The kids decorate their bikes, scooters, pogo sticks, wagons, and skateboards, to head down the parade route. So many community helpers turn out for this small part of SLC, UT. I've always said I grew up in Salt Lake City because that is more familiar to people. The truth is I grew up in East Millcreek, Ut...the greatest place on earth. It is right between Sugarhouse (north) and Cottonwood (south).
I was so impressed with my niece Sarah who did her pogo stick the entire length of the parade route.
One of the best parts of the whole parade/breakfast/carnival is seeing old friends and family. I was blessed to grow up next door to President Gordon B. Hinckley's daughter Kathy and her family. One of his other daughters - Jane - lived down the street. These people are just as amazing as you would imagine. East Milcreek is where Pres. Hinckley raised his family and they obviously loved it. The above picture is of many of his children, grandchildren, and great grand children. They put together this banner and float in his honor. I told you East Millcreek is the greatest place in Utah!!
Here is a cute picture of my old neighbor Kathy Hinckley Barnes Walker. It was fun to give her a hug. I hadn't seen her in years.
We were also able to run into our friends the Dalton's. Elaine is the Young Womens General President. I went to High School with their kids and even dated their son Zack for a while. They are amazing people. I actually have to credit them (along with my dad) for getting me into running. I remember one spring that their whole family was going to Moab to run the 1/2 marathon there. I thought that was the coolest thing. I decided then and there that I would run a 1/2 marathon someday!

Of course there were many other friends and family that were fabulous to see, but these were a few of the faces I thought people might recignize. I think I'm looking like a name dropper. I just want my kids to know how great it was to grow up there, and how it produced so many fine people...not just their relatives!!
Here are some fabulous relatives though. This is my sister in law Tee and her Henry. Such good people!
My cute Mom and nephew Zack with his new haircut. Very handsome I must say.
Poor Ella had a bad tumble on the scooter while we were making our way to the parade, so she walked the rest of the way with me. I felt so bad for her because both knee's, elbows, and her back had some pretty mean road rashes. She's a trooper. Here she is having a great time anyway!
Because we were so preoccupied with helping her we didn't realize that Max had taken off on his scooter without us. I figured he was with one of my siblings and their kids. When we got to the bottom of the parade route we realized no one had him. I started to panic when he walked up to me and said, "Mom, I won the race!" He had no idea he was lost and just took off. I cannot believe I ran into him like that. There were swarms of people going in all directions. I'm giving credit to divine intervention for that one!
My sister Shauna and her awesome hubby Brian saved me by taking care of Nora the whole morning. They said it was good practice for getting their little Mary Grace from China (look for a post about that soon). I think they are just plain great! Paul was on a brother's overnighter in Park City, so I needed all the help I could get.
Once we got to the end of the parade we headed to the traditional pancake breakfast. It always hits the spot with bacon, sausage, fruit, and eggs.
There are also a ton of little carnival booths set up for the kids to play. They LOVE THAT.
Because of the carnival games I spent my morning doing this...handing out tickets.
The snowcones are always a favorite. I think we each had three!
Nora kept herself entertained with Grammie's hat!
Later that evening after all the naps, we headed down to Highland Utah were my sister Shauna lives. This is a picture Paul took from her back yard to the back of her house. Isn't this setting gorgeous?! There was plenty of room for the kids to run and play, and the weather was great. I love Utah summers.
The trampoline is always a hit. I need to just get one of these. I know it'll be a matter of days though when one of my kids breaks a bone.
We put the kids to work on the corn. I always remember this being the kids job when I was young. I love seeing my kids do it now.
After dinner we gathered around their awesome fire pit (I told you it was a great backyard) for some SMORES!!
Jack was eager to roast the perfect marshmallow and was very patient waiting for it. That is SO JACK!!
Max and Ella were more worried about how fast they could get them in their mouths. How they are all related is beyond me.
Once it was dark we decided it was time to set off some fireworks. My kids LOVE THIS.
I promise Nora does too, she just prefers them through a filter. It is so funny because this is also how she watches Scooby Doo. She begs for it though! Go figure.
Here are Paul and I with our assigned cameras.
I was trying to see if I could figure out how to keep the shutter open long enough to get my niece Sarah's whole name with the sparkler, but I could never get more than this. (it's backwards) Any of you photographers out there...I'd love some tips.
I might have been able to get it on this one if I had a tripod!
I know I've said it before, but my kids have the best Aunts and Uncles. They really try to get to know them, love them, and take care of them.
It really just warms my heart to know that there are so many good people right here in my own family!
I love this great country of ours and am so proud to call it home. Every July 4th that conviction is strengthened.