Day 5... 4th of July!

We had quite the surprise when opening the hotel curtains in the morning!

The hot air balloon festival was at its peak and we got the best seat in the house!

The football field where they were launching was just up the street.

We had heard it was worth going to, but we had so much on our plate that day already

I decided to let that one slide.

I am so glad it snuck its way in our day!

They were so close, you could see the people inside of them.

I wonder what we looked like to them?

Our faces smooshed

up to the glass window with awe in our expressions.

Probably made them chuckle. 

Driving to the parade route we got another glimpse of them.

It was the 4th of July and I was super excited to see this grand parade Provo

is known for. 

People camping over night for a spot, say what?!

I knew it would be pure chaos but I still wanted to go even though I had no 

experience (or knowledge for that matter) on where to park, sit, and what not.

I surveyed my friends who have lived in Provo on what to do.

I googled the internet.

I asked the hotel front desk.

Everybody gave different answers. 

I decided I wouldn't stress about it and if we had to walk a mile to get there

or stand in the way back, I would be alright with it!

One tip we took was that it would be best to park in the 7 Peaks parking lot.

It would be towards the end of the parade and less congested. 

That was our game plan.

But the plan was getting squashed, fast!

Every time we would turn down a street, it would be closed off half way 

down the road. We couldn't find a way to get to 7 Peaks.

A few times of that happening we ditched that idea and decided to park in

a random paint store parking lot and figure it out on foot. 

We could see people walking in a general direction so we followed where they were going.

After a short 3 minutes, voila!
We could see people sitting along the parade route.

Was it that easy?!

Right in front of us was a huge shady spot thanks to Zions Bank across

the street blocking the sun.

People were sitting but I saw a perfect spot for our little family to squeeze into.

We asked a man who had a huge canopy set up with tables, fans and the whole nine yards

if we could sit there. 

He said sure, no problem!

Really, was it that easy?!

We started chatting and found out that him and some
other families had camped overnight to get front row seats!
They camp every year and this was the first time they were able to snag
front row.
We were shocked that we walked right up about 45 minutes before it started
and got the same seats as them.
What a miracle!!

Thank you huge bank for providing the most appreciated shade:)
I felt bad for the people sitting in the sun.
It would have been miserable, that day was a toasty one.

I took pictures of the street signs so that if we ever went back, or tried

to tell somebody else where to sit in following years, I could remember!

And funny how we thought we were going to be at the end of the route.

We were pretty much at the start!

 Thousands of people!

We sat next to a family from Gilbert.

Small world:)

Another man asked if we were from AZ.

We looked at him with a puzzled, how did you know, look.

He said our Freedom shirts gave it away, lol!

He was also from Gilbert.

My cute American Girls:)

We got nestled into our VIP seats...more like VIP viewing spot.

We lacked the seat part, but it didn't matter.

I was just happy we could SEE!

Pre parade was fantastic!

We got some pretty good swag!

My favorite was a car detailing company throwing out

packaged wet rags for your dashboards.

The dads went wild for those ones:)

Restaurant coupons, beach balls, BYU T-shirts, candy, otter pops... it was like Christmas!

The parade itself was fun!

A few of our favorites:

BYU basketball team doing stunts

More BYU 

I cant remember what these princesses were for but Lindi

was sure smiling from ear to ear.

Time to take her to Disneyland!

Cute baby intermission!

What would a Utah parade be without a Nu Skin flying eagle!

more 4th of July babe intermission:)

Hands down my favorite was when

the missionaries had their own section in the parade!

It was so appropriate and you could see how happy

they were to be a part of it.

I noticed Lane start inching his way up close and watching intently.

I can't believe this will be him in 8 years!!!!

I was busy video taping when I noticed that this girl

was taking a picture with her missionary!

How lucky was she?!

Totally breaking rules, but sometimes its worth it to be a "rebel".

It could have been her brother... lets just think that:)

She was wiping away tears when he had to keep walking on.

I should have found her so I could send my video to her.

Oh well.

Excuse the screen shot!

We made the 3 minute journey back to the car and 

jetted to the hotel to quickly pack up and check out.

The rest of the day was all Provo stuff, but we were starving!

Our "on the go" dry cereal bowls were wearing off and we had a big hike ahead

of us.

Sandwiches sounded good so we hit up Even Stevens!

Gotta carb load, wink.

Instantly I was a fan of this place.

Hallelujah, a place catered for kids.

Games for them to play while we waited for our food!

Why, WHY can't every restaurant take note and do the same???

Delicious food.

The pretzel and cheese fondue was superb!

I'm glad downtown Gilbert has an Even Stevens... now how 

to get a Cubby's?

None of us have ever hiked the Y before.

We actually despise hiking so I found it ironic that I really wanted to do this!

When in Rome?

I don't know.

But I was a tad nervous.

I had no clue how long or strenuous this hike was.

I knew families did this all the time.

But embarrassingly, this was our first family hike to date.

So I had no idea how the kids would do.

We loaded up the back pack with water.

Strapped on the babe, and away we went!

*side note, I can't even tell you what a good baby this girl is!!
Seriously, she was such a trooper and never got cranky over anything.
She was more than happy to sit in that pouch for hours and take it all in.
Bless you Della!!

It didn't take long before the whining began and had the first of many drink breaks.

Lane was slaying it and could have ran up the mountain.

Rusty surprised me, he did NOT want to do this hike.

Lindi was kind of feeding off of Rusty's complaining.

  It was a STEEP up hill climb and a pretty warm day.

I didn't want anyone passing out so we walked about 5 minutes (sometimes 2)

and would find a sliver of shade to hunker in then we would continue on!

What a hunk.

Part of me wishes I could have fit on his back along with them!

We made it about 3/4's up the mountain.

We had half of a water bottle left and Rusty got to the point of not budging .

We were almost to the top, ugh!

But I couldn't risk running out of water and I couldn't see myself dragging Rusty the

rest of the way.

Casey stayed back with the 3 younger kids while Lane and I went to the top.

You could see it getting closer!

It took about 15 more minutes for us to get the top!

What a glorious view!

I love the rewarding feeling you get after accomplishing something hard.

I was proud of Lane for not complaining once and being patient with us slow pokes.

He carried the backpack full of 5 big water bottles

(including Casey's 64 ounce hydro flask!) the whole time.

Even when I said I could carry it, he insisted that he was fine!

I'm glad I have 2 men that can take care of me:)

The bright sun blinding him while forming a Y, on the Y:)

Of course he RAN down the mountain without stopping.

I felt like an old woman inching my way slowly but surely.

Memories of Fossil Springs and losing my big toe nails.

I didn't want that to happen again!!

Casey ended up just chilling with the kids so once I caught up with them we

walked together the rest of the way.

That's where we put it together that Rusty is afraid of heights!

I guess once he knew he didn't have to go to the top, he let his guard down.

He ran down to 

the bottom and back to where Casey was waiting with no problem!

He COULD have kept up with Lane, he was just scared.

Funny how you figure things out as they are unfolding.

Stinker should have just told me!

It would have saved me lots of frustration.

We stopped to check out the Provo temple!

Rusty was our temple photographer

while Casey stayed in the car with a sleeping baby.

We drove by the MTC

They have it well guarded so we didn't even try to get out and walk around.

We rewarded ourselves with more Creamery goodness!

So crazy to drive by the Y and to think we were right up there minutes ago!

I am so glad we did it even though I was sad we all didn't make it to the top.
They still got a good feeling for what it was like.
And props to them because they made it pretty far and it was WAY harder

than we all thought it was going to be.

I wanted to go to the BYU bookstore but it was closed for the 4th:(

Instead we drove around campus and pointed out the Wilkie

and other big buildings and dorms.

We stopped by the Provo tabernacle temple.

The gates were locked so we couldn't get in, boo!!

From a distance it looked beautiful!

Next up was Bridal Veil Falls!

I was told by numerous people to make sure to do this.

If not I wouldn't have made the effort, but so glad I put it on the agenda!

Kids and climbing I tell you.

This rock was 10 feet from the entrance and

it captivated them for a while.

Can you say, SQUIRREL! 

You walk a mile on a paved path in this lush greenery with

the Provo river running next to it. 

Until you reach the magnificent water falls!

Instantly shoes were off and away they went!

The cold water felt good on our tired, dirt caked feet and ankles

from the Y hike.

At first they were trying to find the big rocks to stand on

Then just threw caution to the wind and plowed right in!

Washing the dirt off her legs

Della started making smacking noises with her mouth.

I was wondering what she was doing until I noticed this

guy was standing next to us with shaved ice and she wanted him to share!  

He started talking to her and she really amped up the lip licking hints, haha!

Pure torture for a baby!

Provo Canyon was just up the highway so I turned into my mother for

a brief moment and made Casey take us on a scenic drive.

Here is the Aspen Grove bridge!

Boy did the memories start flooding in!

You can barely see the swimming pool and blue slide on the bottom, left corner

Snow still on the mountain.

Utah is amazing in the Summer.

It was past dinner time.

We struck out with 2 of our google look ups being closed for the holidays

so we pulled into the first open place.

It turned out to be AMAZING!!

JCW's, you won my heart, especially for being a fast food place.

The kids meal chicken tenders were the size of our heads!

I 

We upgraded our drinks to ice cream... of course:)

Cheers!

I put ice cream on my lips to get a good smooch!

We were exhausted, and still needed to drive an hour to Salt Lake and

check into our hotel and get settled.

We decided to forgo fireworks and just hit the hay!

Nobody was complaining.

Maybe it was because they got to watch some TV after being deprived from it for awhile??

But it was a wonderful, busy 4th of July!

I laid in bed that night with my heart full of gratitude.

We were exploring a part of this wonderful country together as a family.

We live in such beauty and luxury.

How I love the freedoms we have and that I can take my children to different parts of

this world without worry.

That they can learn and experience new things.

I could see the twinkle in each of their eyes that day.

I will cherish this day forever!