The 4th of July Marathon...or so it felt!

We decided to make the most of the holiday weekend and take advantage of all that the Freedom Festival has to offer. No regrets, right? We started off at 5:30 a.m. by going to Balloon Fest. We go every year and it never seems to get old. We get there supper early because you get to watch them blow them up and get really close. Miguel's sister and her family met up with us and Gabriela soon disowned us and became an honorary member of their family. She loves her cousin Raquel and tells me, "she wants to live in their family." It makes me feel great that she loves us so much. I thought that wasn't suppost to happen till she's like 13. She ended up going to IHOP with them and I came home with the girls. I hit up a yard sale down the street and got some awesome deals on things that I've searching for for a while. That made my day.

Miguel and I were able to go on a date on Friday night so we went to Center Street with all the booths and vendors to walk around. We ate this scruptuous funnel cake smothered in whipped cream and strawberries. Yummy! It was so sweet in fact that we had to go hit the taco shop for some spicyness. If you live in Provo, you've got to try the tacos al pastor at Chunga's on Freedom Blvd. and about 600 N. So, so, so good. They'll burn your lips, but they are the perfect blend of roasted pork flavored with grilled pineapple topped with cilantro, onion, and a spicy chipotle salsa. My mouth is watering all ready. After indulging ourselves we went and staked out our spot for the parade. A friend of a family member has a house on center street so we left some our chairs only to have to wake up at 4:30 A.M. to go and put them on the street curb. It almost got ugly folks. Miguel and I kept our composer and we ended up with a spot to rope off. I'm sure you're thinking blah, blah, blah, but I'm writing this for me and my familia out East.

I had to go to a baptism that morning so Miguel took the girls and I met up with them later, just in time to run across the street as the cop goes by to start the parade. Whoohoo. Nice timing.

I got the girls all geared up in their red, white, and blue , duds and I thought they looked great.
Julianne thought the parade was pretty good. Can't you tell by her face.

It got pretty hot as the sun came up over the mountains. You just can't resist those sweaty, greasy cheeks. A mix of sunscreen, cheetohs, gummy bears, apple, chips, popcicle, and sweat.

She had ants in her pants the whole time and just wouldn't sit still. She down for about five minutes. Enough time for me to pull out the camera and get a shot.

Sophia gets the best parade goer award. She sat and waved to everyone that passed by her. Then she gave us all a side show as she danced around and pulled up her dress. That kid looks hot,so we gave her grandpa's hat for her head.

Julianne seriously is an eater. She kept herself entertained with food. Everytime I turned around she was eating something.

After the parade we headed home for about a half hour nap to head over to Miguel's brothers house for a barbeque. I made this festive treat and Miguel actually liked it. I was so excited, because he is usually not impressed by my culinary creativity.

The kids got to swim and have a good time.

At about 6:00 we headed home and the kids crashed until we woke them up again at 8:30 to go see the fireworks. We rode our bikes and Miguel had Julianne in the baby carrier on his back, while I pulled the girls in the bike trailer. They got to play with sparklers while we waited for the show. Sophia was hesitant, but good ole Gabriela was giving everyone a show with her interpretive sparker dance. I kept hearing people around me wispering about it. That's my girl...a true entertainer no matter where she's at. I actually thought she had some good moves. These omminous dark clouds were overhead and could hear thunder and just knew we were going to be soaked and have to huddle under the small blanket we brought, but it held off. The show was great and I just sat there thinking how thankful I was for my cute little family, for this great nation, and that I live in Provo and have so many great ways to celebrate just blocks from my home.