A different Fourth of July

The Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays.

     Growing up, my dad would always s wake us up with Neil Diamond's " They're Coming to America" blasting from the record player( yes, I'm that old!😂😂😂)

 Followed by several more patriotic songs.

        It was early, too early to be up on a summer vacation morning!

    Looking back, I realize that this was pretty much the only day during the summer my dad would take off from work.  He owned his own remodeling business so if you didnt work, you didn't get paid.

       My mom would fix breakfast, usually pancakes, or at least something different from the usual oatmeal that we had.

     The parade was usually in the morning.  It was a big deal in our little town.   Lots of cheering for the military.  High school bands playing their marches.  Horses and riders all sparkles in red, white, and blue.  

     And of course, candy thrown to the crowds!

      We would wear red, white and blue.   Sometimes we would go to a craft fair, but usually, we would go home and play with friends all day.

       Dinner is hot dogs or hamburgers and then.....fireworks!

      I didn't go to an up close fireworks show till I was in highschool.  Living in Utah, the land is pretty flat right before the mountains.  So we would sit in our front yard and watch the fireworks from a distance.  

    You could usually see three or four different firework shows at a time!  Sometimes we would do some sparklers or small fireworks with our neighbors.

     The sense of community that surrounds the Fourth of July is something that I really look forward to every year.

    I love taking my kids to the parade.  Shopping at or participating in a craft show, blasting patriotic music in my house, and wearing red, white, and blue with my kids!

     I love fireworks, BBQ,  and friendship!

    The Fourth of July will look a lot different this year.  Any towns ( including ours) have canceled the parades and events.  People are mad for many different reasons.  

   Our country seems more divided than I have ever seen it.

    But, I have decorated my front porch with red, white, and blue.  We will be wearing our hand-painted tee shirts and if you drive by, you might hear us belt out Neil Diamond's song.

    Happy Fourth of July!

~Chris & Carrie