We were not planning on a fourth in Provo this year, but due to some last minute scheduling snafu's, our weekend opened up two weeks before. It was a good thing because we had some family events we were able to attend. Scott's close cousins were all in town so there was a last minute Leaver/Hawkins reunion planned on Saturday. It was so fun to reconnect with everyone. Also, my brother Marty (& Jess) had their second baby girl recently so they blessed her on Sunday and we had a big family lunch afterward.
And, of course, amid those fun 'must do's', we played.
We hit the balloon launch early Saturday morning:
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The kids "helped" my Dad feed the birds in the Aviary by playing with the food:
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Gross. This entertained them for a long time.
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We made paper rockets (in my parents beautiful yard! I love UT in the summer):
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And launched:
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Sunday night we cruised the hopping downtown in the scouts- good times until Marty got pulled over by a grumpy cop. boo!
We also attended the parade with the masses. There was a perfect cloud cover for the first half. That's when it was awesome. Then the sun came out and we kept wondering when it would end. Ha! Gotta love it:
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I think my favorite part was the huge march of Star Wars costumed troops and characters. Sweet! High five.
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A theater group passed by and my kids got excited for Harry and Ron ("...but where is Hermione?!" was Sadie's distraught comment)
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After the parade, we have a customary BBQ with more extended family....in a way. It's my family and my brothers in-laws. And it's so fun. We play and swim and eat and visit. I am glad we do this every year.
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That afternoon we packed up and drove home. We arrived in the LV valley as all the evening fireworks were going off. The entire city was puffing sparks- it was cool to see.
So grateful for family, our great country and freedom- we are truly blessed!