We had a wonderful day! We started it off watching a 5k race that took place on our street. We watched the crew first cone off a section of the road, and set up drink stands (there was one right in front of our house). Then about 10 minutes later runners started to trickle by. Pretty soon we were yelling at a few of them we recognized! :)
While all this was going on, James was decorating his bike for the big parade. Our ward was having a holiday breakfast/parade and the kids were suppose to decorate their bikes/scooters for the main event. He was SO excited! After he was satisfied with the amount of streamers, we quickly dressed in our festive clothing and headed over to the church.
French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and fruit made up the breakfast menu. It was delicious!! And so fun to be with so many friends on the morning of the 4th. Stories of patriotism were shared, and good times were had. When everyone was stuffed and things were winding down, it was time to start the parade! James hopped right over to his bike, and lead the kids around. We all clapped and all the kids just beamed. One little boy had even constructed a float!! :)
One quick run to the grocery store to pick up a few things I had forgotten on Saturday, and then back to the ranch. We were stopping traffic at the store. Apparently if you dress your adorable children up in 4th of July clothing, EVERY person in a grocery store will stop you and tell you how fabulous they look! It was kinda fun to talk to them all about my cuties!
Back at the ranch now and it's time to stoke up the fire and start the smoker. Once the ribs are on, we all relax in the sweltering 100 degree heat. It wouldn't be the 4th without extreme temperatures. The only sad thing this time around: it's been this way for MONTHS and it's way too dry for fireworks this year! How can you have the 4th without fireworks? It is a little odd, but we made it through ok. The kids asked about it some, but we just explained it to them and they handled it rather well.
By dinner time, the 5 of us were ravenous! JL had been smoking the delicious smelling meat all afternoon, and I'd been preparing the desserts and the drink and the salad all afternoon. Food was all around us!!!
What we pigged out on:
1. JL's salsa
2. Creamy Jalapeno Dip
3. Smoked Ribs
4. Smoked Chicken
5. Corn
6. Green Jello Salad
7. Raspberry Lime Rickeys
8. Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
All weekend long we'd been listening to the top 500 country song countdown. By now, we were getting close to the end. Just as dinner was going on the table, we heard it:
The #1 Song of the 500 top country songs countdown was:
Amarillo By Morning - George Straight
(PS - the #2 song was Luckenbach, Texas)
After we were stuffed (again) we relaxed in the house and watched Secretariat. (That is my new favorite movie! It's so heartwarming!) The kids enjoyed it too. James found the horse racing parts to be so exciting!!! Isabel hung with us through most of it, but when it was over she was zonked completely out!
Fun, fun day! We're so blessed to live in this wonderful country! And I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful family. :)
1 comment:
What a fun, fun day and what cute, cute kids you have. Your menu sounds scrumptious and your entire day sounds truly wonderful!!!
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