Fourth of July

Most of the time the weather is just grand on the Fourth of July. It's Idaho. We live in a desert. Who would have guessed it would rain all morning?

This was the first (and maybe only?) time we had three girls participating in the parade with the BHS band. (The past few years it's been the combined Bonneville and Hillcrest High Desert Marching Band, but the HHS band was in Washington, D.C. over the Fourth.) Miriam played bass drum; Rebekah played tuba; Winnie played trombone. Everything was fine when the girls met before the parade, but before it was time to start, it started raining. And it kept raining. And the band wasn't sure that they were even going to participate any more because of the rain (they were toward the end of the parade). But they persevered, and they marched the entire route while soaking wet.

Meanwhile, we had packed up our usual accoutrement for going to the parade: chairs, maybe a jacket, a hat for the sun. What we didn't pack was (1) umbrellas, (2) blankets or (3) enough jackets. We sat with everyone (Uncle Tyson and his family, Aunt Jessica, Grandma and Grandpa Scott), but before the parade even started, the rest of them decided they were going to go home. In fact, many of the onlookers gave up on the parade due to the rain, which opened things up on the sides of the road. Jessica left us an umbrella, and T and Grandma each left us a blanket. Seth, Ana and I huddled up and waited and waited for the band to show up.

Miriam on bass drum. I bet she was glad she had that silly hat.

Rebekah on tuba; Winnie on trombone.

Walking in the parade.

As soon as the band passed us, we booked it out of there. Later that evening, those who were interested came with us to Menan for a picnic dinner, treats from the vendors and fireworks. 

Seth, Andrea, Ana and Winnie playing Phase 10 as we wait for it to get dark. Rebekah and Miriam opted to stay home.

Eating our dinner.