The Schauerhamers: July 4th 2011

We had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend this year. It started last Saturday when we decided to go to the Huntsman Springs Celebrate America in Driggs, ID.

This is a picture I took on the way to Driggs and though this is very pretty, I still think the view from Ashton is by far the best in all the surrounding areas.

There were tons of people there so we hurried and set up our blankets and chairs for the show later in the evening and then headed up to where all the food booths were and other activities.

There was an air show, very loud and very cool.

Of course any outdoor activity from now on must include bouncy houses. so of course Leah and Lily took advantage of that, notice Lily and her backpack she wore all day.

I don't know why Fourth of July must always include a car show but it does, Leah chose this one to be her favorite, though I'm sure if there had been a pink one then that would have been her favorite but she liked this one for it's bright orange color.

Can you tell I said, "pose"?

While we were looking at the cars I noticed a familiar face, not because I know him personally but because I see him on a regular basis, mostly when I go over to my parents house since Fox News is on 24/7.

Yes, there was Glenn Beck checking out a very nice Corvette? I think it was anyway. I don't know cars.

There were several other activities, we saw a little of it all, dog trick show, hypnotist, BMX bikes, air show. It was a very warm day so it was nice when the sun started going down, when it did we decided to head back to the area with the stage and where our blankets and chairs were set up.

First we listened to a band from BYU-Idaho that played several patriotic songs as well as a Sound of Music Medley. Not sure why that was included but I enjoyed it just the same. The Huntsmans spared no expense on this event, I really enjoyed it all.

After the band we heard a great talk given by Glenn Beck. It was very inspiring and reminded us that America is Great because we are Good. I will try and remember to be my part as an American and to be thankful for the freedom and opportunities that we have here.

The girls were pretty crazy during his talk or I probably would have even got more out of it than I did. I still enjoyed it and was happy to listen to someone express their love for our country.

I think I'll start collecting pictures of Lily eating Lays potato chips and make a collage later. She sure does love her potato chips!

After Glenn Beck we watched the MOST AMAZING fireworks show I've ever seen. It wasn't just the fireworks but all of the extra stuff they had with it, massive speakers playing some of my favorite Fourth of July songs including Rodeo by Aaron Copland. They also had large screens where they played short clips of people expressing love for their country. It just was great!

I know most of you know this but I'm a baby and so of course I cried through most of the show, I love the Fourth of July, after Christmas it's my favorite holiday. I love being outside on lawn chairs and blankets. The smell of sulfur in fireworks, and of course all of the great songs that we play at this time of year. This fireworks show just brought back all of those memories of my childhood. It was just such a magical experience and will most likely make that a tradition of going to the Celebrate America in Driggs, ID.

Sunday we had a day of rest, we needed it!

Then Monday morning we made it just in time to see Ashton's Fourth of July parade.

The girls got tons of candy, they went crazy running out into the road grabbing huge handfuls of candy, running back to the blanket and tossing it down into the pile then running back for more. It's the first time they really got into it so it was pretty entertaining.

After the parade we went to the park along with the rest of Ashton to listen to the Allens sing, rest and let the kids play. It was very relaxing and fun to visit with friends.

Leah has a new BFF, it's Hailee Stegelmeier. She loves hanging out with Hailee and enjoyed the Merry Go Round, many a times a round.

Later that evening I planned on having the Stegelmeiers over along with my parents and Grandpa Baum but soon found out that my cousin Julie and her family were in town so we had them come over too. We had planned on having a nice BBQ outside with Shish-Kabobs but the weather decided not to cooperate so we had a nice BBQ inside out of the wind and rain. Fortunately it didn't last the whole time so we were able to go out later and light off fireworks and then go to see the big ones in town.