4th of July 2017

I love the 4th of July. Someone pointed out recently that it's a "no pressure" holiday. Meaning, no gifts need to be purchased and handed out, no grand meals need to be prepared and elegantly executed. Just fun in the sun and BBQing, throw in some fireworks and the day is perfect!

We made the drive from CA to UT on Saturday and it was honestly such a pleasant drive. Our kids are such good little car travelers. It was nice to just sit all day, too. We had plenty of snacks and water and movies to watch. Tanner and I each listened to our perspective books. It was wonderful.

We pulled into the Provo Marriott at 8pm and unloaded before heading out to watch the Stadium of Fire fireworks from my old work. Rayleigh was absolutely ecstatic about the fireworks and kept screaming and giggling, "Fireworks! Fireworks!" She's my little firecracker. No one does it better than Utah when it comes to celebrating the 4th of July. The entire state is so patriotic and everyone is so friendly. I just love it here.

This is what happens when I ignore them while I'm trying to pack...

Parker's craft creation

I honestly didn't think we would sleep well in our hotel room because it was so small. The room that we were hoping for was being renovated and the entire hotel was booked solid. So we had to make do with just 2 double beds. We brought the cot for Parker and made a big, comfy bed out of pillows and blankets for Rayleigh and Jack on the floor. Everyone went to sleep at the same time and stayed in bed all night with not a peep! Of course, I was up 6-7 times a night to use the bathroom and check on everyone. 'Tis the life is a pregnant woman, I guess. But I still felt great and so rested every morning!

We had our favorite Two Jack's Pizza for dinner the night we arrived!

Sunday we all woke up around 9:45 (I know, right?) and got some breakfast burritos and milk shakes on our way up to Sundance to spend some time with my parents up at the beautiful Cottage. They have been here for a few days and have really enjoyed their much deserved R&R! We chatted and the kids played and we went for a little "hike" to the stables to see the horses. It was SO hot! I was dying! The heat combined with the altitude really took it out of me! But we saw a little snake which was exciting and Tanner played with his drone. It was nice to be up in the clean, quiet Mountain's. Rayleigh would have spent all day running around chasing butterflies and picking wild flowers if we'd let her.

She kept telling this little fairy princess that she loved her and giving her kisses. The kids spent a lot of time exploring the fire place, looking for hidden animals. 

After we left Sundance we decided to cool off at the movies. Taking a 3 and 2 year old to the movie theater is just the worst idea ever. But we had low expectations and figured a movie on a Sunday in Utah would mean we'd have the place to ourselves. And we did! There were a few other people there and the babies did NOT sit. Like, at all. But Parker loved it! We saw Cars 3. Tanner loved the popcorn and I loved the air conditioning. Ha ha

Monday was pretty much spent at the Provo Recreation Center. We got there around 11am and the kids had a blast swimming in the indoor area. Rayleigh loved jumping off the high rock! Jack just wanted Tanner. He pretty much just wants Tanner at all times. At noon they opened up the water slides and then it was all over- Rayleigh and Parker were hooked! They went up and down as many times as they could for an hour. But Jack was getting super tired and we needed lunch. So we took a drive and picked up some food and let Jack take a little car nap. We stopped by the hotel so Tanner could run in and grab something from the room. He left his phone in the car but took the room key and he didn't come back for over an hour. I had no idea what to do. I was in my swimming suit and didn't want to take the kids inside the hotel and just wander around looking for Tanner (I sent Parker to find him TWICE). Obviously I couldn't call him. I was beyond upset when he finally called me from a hotel phone and said he was trying to move us to a bigger room (which didn't end up working out anyway) I mean, I was sobbing. It was horrible. It was bad. Can we say "COMMUNICATE"? Anyway, we pulled ourselves together and headed back to the Rec Center where we met up with Jon and Cami and their families at the outdoor pool area. It was blazing hot so I told Tanner to please take the kids and let me just sit in the shade for a second (remember, I was "cooling" off from being so upset, too) That lasted 20 minutes before he brought a kid to me. So I waddled into the kiddy area with Jack and kept an eye on him while he played. It was insane. I think every single Provo resident and their friend was at the pool that day.  But it was fun and the kids LOVED it and I'd take being outside in the water over pretty much anything. Plus, it was fun to be with my siblings. By 5:00 we were done and dragged the kids away and back to the hotel. I took a much needed shower while Tanner took the kids to the hotel pool (they can't get enough). We ordered Indian food take out and enjoyed a nice little picnic in our room before bed. Tanner set his iPad up and we made little plates for the kids on the floor and Tanner and I ate on the bed. It was sooooo good and totally hit the spot. We are a foodie family. Jack devoured our Indian food. Mmmm. Makes me want it again just writing about it! We all collapsed into bed at 8:30 and slept for a solid 12 hours.

I was bummed that we slept through the balloons the next morning but thank goodness we didn't sleep in through the parade too! (Like we did last year...) Tanner took the kids to Chick Fil A for breakfast while I got ready and I met them downstairs so we could walk over to the parade together. Nothing beats the location of the downtown Provo Marriott. We found a little shady spot and watched the parade for about an hour until the kids lost interest. It was so fun though! I used to not like the marching bands but now they are my favorite! Rayleigh danced and waved to all of the "princesses". It was so cute.

Bed Head

My earring got stuck in her hair while we were snulgging 

We didn't see Jon at the parade but they were there too!

Cami's family took a pass on the parade this year and opted for a mini hike

We cooled off with some smoothies and took a little excursion to Bridal Veil Falls. It's such an easy little hike and the kids loved walking the short trail to the waterfall, picking leaves and flowers, and looking for bugs. When we got to the waterfall, everyone wanted to dip their feet in the water but it was freezing cold! We are not used to ICY cold water! Ha ha Parker was brave and charged through the melted snow and Rayleigh was trying her best! But every party has a pooper and ours was Jack. He needed to take a nap and he wasn't so into our little hike.

So we got back to the car and headed over to JoAnn Losee's for our Bullock family reunion. Jack did indeed fall asleep and i sat in the car with him while he took a little nap. He woke up just in time for fried chicken! It was so wonderful seeing some of my cousins (Rick and Stacy and Jon, Kristen and Steve) and getting to hear more family history. The kids ran around and played and had a blast. But it was HOT. After we all did our family introductions, we loaded up the kids and headed to Carole's for swimming and more fun!

Like an idiot, I didn't bring my swimsuit but Tanner did. So he played in the pool with the kids for a while. Parker was off and running with the locals. When my parents arrived, my mom was NOT feeling well. She was over heating and I was worried about her. She never wants to make a fuss or complain but the woman needed to cool off. So we brought her inside and I got a damp cloth for her neck and we visited for a little while so she could relax a little bit before heading back up to the Cottage. She felt much better after a couple hours in the AC. I loved seeing all my Christensen/Andrus "family" and getting caught up with everyone. I just love them all so much. Tanner played with Jack who wanted nothing to do with me and everything to do with Tanner. We ate some good food and even better desserts before we headed to the Cul-de-Sac for a candy parade and dancing. Rayleigh spent most of her time in the center of the big red star singing and performing for everyone. She is adorable. There was a poignant prayer and flag ceremony. We were lucky enough to have the Utah State governor, Gary Herbert, and his family there too. (He lives in the neighborhood)
When the sunset sufficiently set, we watched a beautiful and very touching tribute to James. It was very hard not having James around for this most celebrated holiday. His smile was severely missed. He is everywhere and yet he's not here. But everyone had high spirits and it was a wonderful day spent in his honor. We donated all of our left over fireworks to the Cul-de-sac of fire and it was a HUGE show! So huge that we were kind of scared. Ha ha Last year we had some misfires, so we were a little anxious this year and kept moving further and further back. But my glow stick clad, forever forwork loving daughter was ALL about it! She was SO good all day! She was so happy and so well behaved, she danced and sang and played her way through the day. I just love my little adventurer. Parker was completely independent and mostly helpful. He never complains. Jack is 2. End of story.

To say we slept well that night is an understatement.

Everyone slept in the next day and we grabbed some Waffle Love for brunch before packing up and heading out. Our drive home and slick and easy. We really enjoyed our car time. Tanner and I actually had a conversation and I thoroughly enjoyed the AC. The kids were great and kept happy with snacks and movies. Parker just listened to his book on CD. We saw a beautiful sunset coming out of Vegas (sad not to stop and see Josi and some friends- we have so many tender connections there). We arrived home safe and sound around 9pm.

Sleepy heads

She is so beautiful

Someone did NOT want to wake up

Playing table games

Watching some stupid YouTube video probably...

I think they all like hotel life. Bunch of happy kids right there!

PSA: Don't give 2 year olds Red Vines in the car.

We stopped at Andrea's to pick up the stroller she is selling to me. She was at work but it was fun to run into her cute house really quickly and see her pretty girls. Jack is smitten. "It's Lia!"

I am so thankful for this beautiful country that we are blessed to live in. We enjoy so many freedoms and liberties that we take for granted. I know the Lord prepared this land as a land of promise and that we must do all we can to uphold it. God bless the USA!