4th of July 2011

I love the 4th of July. I always have. Growing up in Northbrook we always had a wonderful 4th of July. We would decorate our bikes with streamers, etc. and go to the Northbrook Parade, ride in the parade, ride our bikes home and play, and then in the evening we would go to the Taylors home for a big picnic dinner and fireworks. The Taylors had this huge tree swing that the kids would take turns swinging on. Lots of great memories.

This year we went to Victor for their little community parade. The kids love it because they throw out lots of candy. After the parade they have a 4th of July fair in the town square. There are booths set up and yummy food. After the parade we came home and played with the kids. That night we had brats (a must on the 4th) for dinner. That night we decided to have our own fireworks display. Actually we thought Irwin, the little town right next to Swan Valley, had fireworks, but they must not have had enough money this year. We didn't have time to drive into Idaho Falls, so we just did our own fireworks. This is the first year we have participated because Cruz kind of wanted to be a part of fireworks. He liked the sparklers, but once Uncle Russ started lighting the bigger, louder ones, Cruz was done. I talked him into watching them, but from just inside the house.


All the kiddos. My cousin and his wife Wendy and their kids Miller, Collin, and Dawson were in Swan Vally for the 4th too and they joined us at the parade.