Growing up, this was one of my absolute most favorite holidays. It was full of tradition, boating, parades, ward flag raising and 5000 calorie breakfast, cousins, firework shows, fireworks after the show, and everything in between.
I have always loved the feeling of patriotism, and reflecting on how blessed I am to live in a free country, and how thankful I am for those who made that possible.
It was really fun to go back to Pocatello this year, and let my children get a taste of all of this as well.
We got in to Pocatello really, really late Thursday night, so we opted out of the ward breakfast and flag raising.
Mary did go to the parade though, with some of my family, and had a great time.
After the parade, we got out the pool, and let the kids have a blast playing in my parents amazing back yard and water toys.
The Tyhee ward I grew up in was having their 100 year celebration, so we headed over to the church for lunch, and games.
They had the traditional greased pole climb. They have done this every year I can remember. I have lots of memories of my brothers and numerous other children trying over and over and over again to climb the metal pole completely covered in grease, with envelopes of money taped to the top.
We sat and watched numerous kids and teenagers of all ages try and try again. The grease was so slippery, it was crazy! Then, Mary and Sam asked if they could try. Why not?
Sam gave it a good solid effort. We have a picture of him, but I don't have it on here yet.
Next, it was Mary. She got further than anyone had up to that point, and received lots of cheers, exclamations of shock and applause.
Then, she tried again...and made it! She got the $20 envelope, and lots of people very surprised that a 9 year old little girl could do that. I was not surprised. I have seen Mary climb a 40 foot rope numerous times in gymnastics.
After more people tried, and finally got the other envelopes, they decided to let Mary and the other kids who made it to the top, try it again, to earn $100.
Mary made it, and the others were too tired, but they let some boys try it, and 2 of them made it, so they split it 3 ways. Mary walked away with $56! Pretty cool!
Fort Hall is an indian reservation, so we can get the really "cool" fireworks there.
The kids also got some fun rides on Bop's new motorcycle.
Then it was off to the firework show. It was the best one I have seen so far in Pocatello, and the kids thought it was awesome! Luke could hardly stand it, he thought it was so amazing. He yelled, and hollered and clapped through the whole thing. It was adorable.
William actually slept through it, but he did like what he saw.
We came back after the show and had our own firework show in my parent's backyard. This is always a favorite of mine, and I was happy to see that the kids loved it as well! William and Ben slept through it. Two peas in a pod.
The next day was boating! We loaded up all sorts of yummy food and headed to the reservoir.
Luke and William loved the boat, and Mary and Sam got more and more brave on the tube. In fact, they actually went all the way out, went faster, and even hit waves hard enough to fall off.
No tears, just lots of laughing and shouts of joy!
We all came home from boating and crashed. Some of us crashed before we even made it home.
We had to wake up very early in order to get back home to Heber in order to fulfill church callings.
Pretty packed, fun filled weekend! It was awesome.
Happy 4th of July!
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