independence day

We had a very unusual 4th of July this year. Normally Joe and I find it a good time to go to Utah to visit my family each year. Last year we brought the kids for the first time to meet everyone. They had a wonderful time. This year we had decided to stay home due our upcoming trip to Florida. Frankly we had no idea what to do in Colorado for the 4th. We were pretty sad that we were here for the holiday and it felt very strange and different. I thought I would do a comparison of our two very different 4th's and prove to ourselves and the world that the two celebrations were not that different after all...

last year we were able to spend time with my Grandma Peters' dog Missy.









this year we were dog sitting for our neighbors and got to hang out with their dog Choncho.











Usually we attend the parade in Provo, which is full of fun and extremely patriotic, with my cousins and their families.




















This year we attended a parade in this little podunk town called Wellington that my brother Matt happened to be in. It was also patriotic and we went with my mom and dad. That's Matt in the white shirt.





















In the Provo parade there is sure to be some allegence to the Republican party proclaimed. There is also a small float sponsored by the 5 Democrats in Utah. This man standing up was the only person along the parade route, beside Joe and myself, to cheer for the Democrats as they rode by.














Although the Wellington parade did not have any mention of the Democrats there was a defining moment of political controversy when this car sponsored by just about my least favorite person in the world, Marilyn Musgrave, proclaimed that "Republicans protect America". We were not sure whether we should bow down in front of the car or not.















While attending the parade in Provo we are in close proximity to about 4 temples and 40 churches. Here is us at Temple square in Salt Lake.





















At the Wellington parade we were standing on a street corner in front of an old gas station that had been turned into a hip new church.












Last year we spent time enjoying mother nature at arches national park.

























This year we spent time enjoying mother nature in our local mountains.



























Last year we had fun lighting off our own fireworks in front of my cousins house. except for the part where Felix got burned and had to go to the emergency room




















This year we opted to watch the fireworks that were being lit off by our city. However, we forgot our camera.







At the end of both celebrations Anais fell asleep in the car...





normally we have her in a shirt but she got soaking wet in the water and mom only brought a change of shorts for everyone.












We did not have nearly as much fun this year as years previous, so we have learned our lesson and will never forgo our annual trip to Utah. We missed our family and friends out there dearly. To them we say, we will see you next year...