4th of July 2009

Melaleuca (Ben's employer) puts on a firework show that is pretty darn impressive here in Idaho Falls down by the river. We have gone every year since we moved here.

That first year, we headed down to the river - knowing it was going to be crawling with people - worried we wouldn't be able to find a spot, and ended up finding the perfect place to enjoy the spectacle. A family from our ward just happened to be there that first year and introduced us to the PERFECT spot (thanks Bliesners!). We go to the I-15 on ramp and make camp. We always bring cardboard, and the kids slide down the hill while we wait for the fireworks. It doesn't get too crowded and there is something for the kids to be doing - which is nice.

Here are some pictures of us having fun before the show began.

The Bess Family came with us this year. The girls had a blast hiking (make that running) up and sliding down.

It's always been "Ben's business" to mind the kids while they were playing - because why would I hike up and down that hill:). . .
Well, things changed this year. I think I went down more than Ben. What was I thinking missing out on all that fun?
Ashland was her adorable little self. She finally just started sliding down without a box - less work. She's saying "CHEESE" in that middle picture - I think it's adorable!
Here's our little family posing for a 4th of July picture.

Here's the picture of us that first year in 2005 and this year. Things have sure changed since that first year huh? Cadence was a few months younger (15 mo) then than Ashland is now(18 mo).

And a few shots of the light show in the SKY!! It sure was a fun time!!

(Grandma and Grandpa Burton were here too. They weren't in any of the pictures because they opted to go to a movie instead of watching the action on the hill. Their loss. But they did show up just a few minutes before the fireworks. Thanks for coming and spending the 4th with us - we had a blast! - literally ha!)