4th of July in Arizona

I love the 4th of July - I love the fireworks, I love the barbeques, I love it all. Living in Arizona, it just wasn't the same this year. We couldn't even have sparklers, understandably so with all the fires in the area, but I just miss going to the firework tents and loading up on explodable goodies, and I miss sitting under the stars watching the sky light up. I know, I know, it's not just about the fireworks - I do love why we celebrate this day (I promise!) - but the other stuff is just so darn FUN! :) I have so many wonderful memories of my dad blasting apples with firecrackers in our backyard when we were young and going to Goddard to watch the fireworks each year with my family, and I want all of this for my kids, too. I keep reminding myself, they will have different 4th of July memories than mine, different, but still memorable - like the Benson parade we attend each year on the morning of the 4th, and the water fight with the local firefighters in the Benson park, and the barbeques with friends and their kids. And you know me, I also had to throw in a 4th of July craft and an America puzzle (which Carson has done about a million times this past week!) He loves the fact that the capital of Nevada is Carson City. He's so proud, (like he named it or something, hah), but I think it's secretly because he has something Owen doesn't have because I overheard him tell his little brother the other day, "Sorry, there is no Owen City. Just a Carson City."

Our "Salt-Absorbing Fireworks" craft, from one of my favorite blogs, I Can Teach My Child. We made glitter fireworks, too.

My crafty little boy!

This is what happens when mommy looks away for too long. Someone gets a hold of the glitter and dumps it everywhere. I think I am STILL cleaning up glitter around the house!

Owen trying to sweet talk me into not being mad. :) Since the mess was already done, I just let him go at it for a while.

Grumpy Carson before the parade.

I think he's finally awake!

Me and my O!

He stole Carson's chair. One thing I have learned - they automatically want what the other brother has - no matter what it is! The joy of siblings! :)

So happy!



My sweet boy waving at the firefighters and police officers. I love Ethan's face (Owen's friend) in the background, too.

I'm sure Carson is thinking, "Hurry up and take the picture so I can go get more candy!"

Jason, Carson and his friend, Tyson, watching the parade.

Water fight in the park. I didn't notice Owen was in the picture until I uploaded it to the computer. He looks so tiny! And cute! :)

Soaking wet!



We hope all our friends and family had a fun and safe 4th of July weekend!

It's the small things...

Since we live in Arizona, fireworks are not sold in the state (boo!), so the only thing Carson and I could find this year were pop-its and poppers. They were all of shapes and sizes, but after a few I am done with them and the excitement is gone.....unless you're Carson. I think he went through 6 packs in 10 minutes! The joys of being a 2-year-old. =)

Setting poppers with confetti off int he house.....and guess who ended up cleaning it all up?! =P

Owen sleeping during the popper madness; this kid can sleep through anything!

4th of July Festivities 2010

We decided to check out Benson's 4th of July festivities this year and ended up having a really great, fun-filled day. First we hit up the parade, and although it was extremely hot and the parade was extremely long, we really enjoyed it. It was actually Carson's first parade, and by the end of it his arm was tired from all the waving he did, but he had a bunch of candy to show for it. At one point during the parade, they had a big truck full of water, and they were splashing everyone. Jason took Carson and lifted him up right when the truck came by and they got drenched! It sure cooled him off though! Owen fell asleep halfway through the parade, even with all the honking, blaring music and heat. That Owen for you!

Next, we headed to the park for the water fight. We missed this last year, so we didn't really know what to expect. Now we know to expect to get soaked! I don't think there is anywhere in the park that is safe, which Owen and I quickly found out. When we got there, there were a bunch of fire trucks. One firetruck had its ladder extended all the way up over the park. Another two were positioned near where they water fight was going to be held. Two sides each try to push a barrel to the other side with water shooting from their hoses. But before this occurs, they all decide to drench the audience. Of course, Carson loved it and he and Jason were right in the middle of the action. He, along with all the other kids, splashed in the puddles in between sprays. Owen, on the other hand, wasn't too thrilled, as you can see from his picture. I thought we were far enough away, but we still got hit with waves of mists.

After headed home for an afternoon of napping and hanging out as a family, we headed back out to the park that evening with our friends, Dan and Autumn, to listen to some music and watch fireworks. Jason bought Carson a light-up sword, so I think he was more interested in that than the fireworks this year, and Owen fell asleep during the fireworks somehow. But it ended up being a beautiful night with a really great firework display to end our fun-filled day.

Carson in the car headed to the Benson parade.

Owen at the parade.

Me with my two boys waiting for the parade to start.

It finally started.

Carson waving at everyone for candy.

Carson and Jason

Carson picking up some candy

Waterfight in the park

Jason and Carson right in the middle of the action getting soaked

All wet!

The actual waterfight between firefighters; Owen and I kept our distance. =)

But we still got a little wet, and he was NOT happy, haha.

Carson with his beloved light-up sword

Benson's 4th of July

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite days of the year. I have wonderful memories growing up of barbequing with my family and setting off an abundance of fireworks in our backyard. Unfortunately Arizona does not sell fireworks, so that was out of the picture for us this year, but we did end up having an enjoyable 4th here in Benson.

We decided to have a more laid back 4th of July this year and just chill out in Benson because although we live in Benson it seems we are always driving to other cities. It was nice to not be in the car for once. Although Benson is a small town, they really have an abundance of 4th of July activities. I was pleasantly surprised, and we didn't even get to partake in all of it. The morning of the 4th they have a parade and a water fight with the fire fighters, which we missed because a certain someone decided to sleep in. During the day, they have food booths, bands playing, jumping castles, and a big water slide for the kids at the park. We went and picnicked at the park and let Carson wear himself out. Then we all went back and took a much needed nap. By the time we got up, it was about ready to head back to the park and get settled for the fireworks. Benson put on a great show!

I was really excited to watch fireworks this year with Carson because I wanted to see his reaction. Last year, he was too young to really care about them and fell asleep 10 minutes into it. However, this year he stayed awake throughout the whole show. As with everything new, at first he wasn't too sure about them, but about 15 minutes into the show, he started to enjoy the show by "ooing" and "ahhing" and saying "big one!" At the end, he broke out in applause with the rest of the crowd. Overall, it was a lovely 4th, even if we couldn't set off our own fireworks here in AZ. Here are a few pictures from our day.

Carson enjoying some corn on the cob!

Playing in the mud left over from the water fight.

Waiting for it to get dark...

There was actually a bat flying around in the sky...kind of creepy, although I'm sure the fireworks scared him away.

Me and Carson and his beloved glowstick

Chowing down on some hot dogs before the show

He's actually pointing at a kite here.

Still waiting....

The one picture I get of Carson actually smiling and the lens wasn't fully open!

Carson watching the fireworks.

Fireworks!