There are 2 kinds of people in this world

Those that like parades

 And those that really, really don't.

Justin and I have yet to establish our own 4th of July traditions. We've been to Lake Powell, watched the fireworks at BYU, been camping, watched fireworks over Niagara Falls, watched neighbors' fireworks from our front yard, camped again, Sidewalk of Fire at my parent's. Since we both grew up doing the exact same thing every year (watching fireworks from the Marriott Center for me, camping for him) it's been slow coming to establish our own traditions.  So this year we again tried something new and went to Logan to visit my brother and his family and see what they do for Independence Day. But we didn't tell our kids we were going. Going to Logan is like going to Disneyland for them. They just thought we were going to the airplane museum. So Wednesday morning I had to pack bags for all of us secretly and it was very hard to do.

First we stopped at Hill Aerospace Museum. It was free and the patriotic thing to do. Henry loves planes and helmets so this is the perfect place for him.

  "Hey guys, look at this!"

 Making their own scary faces.

Coolest helicopter ever.

I love that they have picnic tables under the shade of the planes.

Then we continued north to Logan but let the kids think we were going back home. Sarah knew something was up when we got to Brigham City.  She recognized Sardine Canyon as the canyon to Logan. I told so many lies from there to Matt's house.  I finally gave in once we were on their street. Sarah and Henry were so excited. It was worth the lies.

Thursday morning the boys went fishing up Blacksmith Fork Canyon and the rest of us met them for lunch at a park up there. The park may also be home the last merry-go-round in all the state. My kids had never seen one before.

 It was a hit.

 Peyton and Henry are buds.

That evening we got some dinner, stopped by the house we lived in when I was born then played at a park nearby then went to campus to wait for the fireworks.  I always get super nostalgic when I go to Logan. Between it being my childhood home and my favorite year of college, I have a deep, abiding love for the valley.

 This is the Fourth for me.  Just hanging around, being silly, eating snacks, playing games, watching people. Too bad it was really the 3rd.

 Sarah and Henry "practicing running".

Henry had to copy the way Peyton wore his hat.  And yes, those are my parents back there. They have a little break before they take on their new mission assignment in Philadelphia.

 Gotta love a baby and glow sticks.

 Gotta love a grown man and glow sticks.

Friday morning we went swimming at my parents' hotel then went to Hyrum to see my niece Jaana in the parade. I'm not sure who plans a parade at noon in July because it was hot.

Erica keeping cool in the shade.

 There's Jaana! She's the beauty queen on the left.

All-in-all it was a very festive 4th. We packed in all the 4th festivities we could.  Picnic up the canyon, fishing for the boys, playing at a park, fireworks at USU (complete with rice krispie treats and salt water taffy) swimming, small town parade, barbecue hamburgers and hotdogs with watermelon, yummy Oreo dessert. Needless to say our kids were all asleep minutes into our drive home.

Saturday we joined Justin's parents up at Payson Lakes. We ate lunch and paddled the canoe around. They did a little fishing and Sarah and Henry both caught two fish. They kept their dad and grandpa so busy they didn't get their own poles in the water much. That evening some friends came over for dinner and our kids finally got a much needed shower.

Erica also turned 5 months old.

 She's just getting cuter. And laughier. And rollie-pollier. And slobbery-er. Very slobbery.