Unpaid Vacation # 6 - Fourth of July Weekend

July 2-5: This time our unpaid vacation fell on a holiday weekend; meaning we already had Friday off + taking Thursday unpaid = 4 day weekend! We had so much fun! Lyndsay and Aaron came into town on Thursday night. Then Ashley, Kyle, Gage, Brigg and Holly, Bill, Will, Lucy came up on Friday. The Anthem Firework Festival was Friday night (3rd). So we set up every kid toy we own in the backyard and bbq'd before heading over to the park for fireworks. It was by far the BEST weather ever on a Fourth of July in Phoenix! A monsoon storm rolled in late afternoon and cooled things down (100 instead of 107 degrees). Then there was even a breeze! This is the first year I remember not sweating to death while waiting all night for fireworks to begin! Anden had to literally be dragged off the bouncers, specifically the Lightning McQueen slide, in order to watch the fireworks. Jeremy came back laughing and showed me this picture. Seriously, what's wrong with my kid? Nobody eggs him on. He does this for his own amusement.

Gage wanted more than anything to ride the apple/tomato/strawberry/scary red thing. So Kyle waited in the long line and Jeremy/Anden graciously cut in line with them once they were at the front. Jeremy must have somehow forgotten he gets extremely sick from spinny rides (and even more so after that last skull fracture!). Upon entering the ride, we had but one prayer for the little kids...that they wouldn't get struck with flying vomit from the adult. Jeremy definitely payed the price and therefore was lucky enough to spend the rest of the night on a mental carousel.

Poor little Taylee had a fever ALL weekend and was so sick. I felt bad even dragging her to all the events. But she was a good sport and tried to have fun. You know she doesn't feel well when she actually stays in the same spot for more than 2 seconds!

Finally it was firework time and we anxiously awaited back at our blankets. Then the spectacle began! As usual, my kids were bored 5 mins into the firework show.

The kids were exhausted by the time we got home at 10:30pm and crashed right to bed! Ash, Kyle spent the night since they live an hour away! Of course the adults all stayed up way too late laughing and telling stories all night.

On Saturday (4th), we headed to the waterpark! It was lots of fun and suprisingly not too crowded!

It wouldn't be a 4th of July celebration without the Flag Fruit Pizza! We let Anden help this year. He was so excited that he couldn't contain himself and smooshed the whole case of raspberries in one swift fistful motion. Uh, jam anyone?

On Sunday we finally had time to break out our fireworks!! We were so excited. Lyndsay and Aaron busted up laughing when they saw what we had.

Ok so Arizona doesn't trust you with anything more than glorified New Year's noisemakers. This is seriously all they sell. Good thing Anden doesn't know how pathetic these are in the fireworks world. He was absolutely thrilled.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July! We're so thankful to live in America and for our freedom. Thank you to the troops and all those that have served our country which has allowed us these blessings!