4th of July

My first time watching a small town 4th of July parade. I'm spoiled on it now. I can no longer simply BBQ and then watch fireworks when it gets dark in the extreme heat of Vegas knowing that in some small town somewhere they are throwing a party like this one. It just simply will not do.Awards were presented for the best horse, best bike decorations, best float.

The local beauty queens rockin' out to Sweet Home Alabama.

Here comes our float. The Stewarts decorated the float and it looked so cute. It was dressed up with candy, lollipops, and sweets.

"America, home sweet home."

Okay, so our girls didn't win for best float but they were definitely the "sweetest" girls at the parade.

Trippin' all summer long

When the invitation to spend a weekend in Kanarraville,UT arises I will ALWAYS say YES!!

YES! YES! YES!

And Fourth of July weekend, no less. One of my MOST favorite holidays.

The beautiful home where we spent 4 glorious days and 3 incredibly restful nights.

There is nothing more calming than sitting on this porch in this town.

One of my most favorite escapes.

When I'm old and my wrinkles are deep and I can barely walk I want Dustin to find me a porch just like this one, a similar porch in a similar town. He'll wheel me out to sit on it every morning and I'll sit there all day and enjoy the birds chirping and the wind in the trees.

...because my kids (well, Scott) won't allow me to get a picture of all the kids together I have to take them individually.

Madison relaxing on the porch (see, you just can't help yourself)

A rarity ... me and my girls in a photo... together.

The little guys playing in the water fountain...

...and sharing a candy necklace.

This is what happens when you're minding your own business(watching fireworks) and your husband takes a picture in the dark. The flash can KILL you!

More sitting on the porch.

Seriously, it's the highlight.

I love it!!!

I could sit there forever.

forever.

By now you can probably tell what my favorite thing to do in Kanarra is...

...besides enjoying the cutest parade ever
followed by the patriotic and tear provoking town talent show, the funnel cakes, the food in general...all the food, the hike through the Kanarra narrows, the dreamy sleep, dancing at the cobble crest, letting the kids run free, watching Dustin reenact his youth at the playground, the evening walks(except when I got my heel nipped by a dog), the great company, the cutest houses ever, the perfect weather, and I guess the water fight was OK now that I'm in dry, fresh clothes ( that was fun too!)

On the way home we stopped in St. George and had lunch at pizza factory(a huge hit) and toured the grounds of my favorite temple.

Spe-Chell blanket

Scott asleep in Anaheim when we went to see Dustin play water polo. He was exhausted after the game. He's worn holes in this blanket he loves it so much. We can't take a trip without it. Good thing he's made himself a hole for breathing.