Fourth of July 2011 

Arizona Style

Kimball got a little carried away with the fireworks and personalized our patio of pavers. He was able to lighten the color with a scrub brush, bucket of water and some cleaners.

Our first 4th of July in Arizona, away from family, and the fun festivities of Utah seemed a little anti-climatic, but we planned some activities and enjoyed the day together. 

After a big breakfast and some household necessities, we went to the movie (funny I can't remember the name just now...maybe it will come to me later). On the way home we stopped at Walmart to buy some fireworks. Kent and I spent some time reading a fun book together (our first and maybe only, by Carla Kelly) while the kids did a pre-firework show for themselves. 

After dinner and some cleaning (that caused a little grumbling), it was dark and a little cooler, so we went outside in the backyard and had our own firework show. Kenzly had fun trying to carry on a tradition started in the Andrews' family, by lighting a sparkler then trying to run around the entire backyard before it died. Kimball was mostly interested in lighting the fireworks and I'm pretty sure he didn't even watch most of them. Our backyard has a nice view of the city lights in the evening and tonight we had the added bonus of being able to watch several other fireworks, including a long production put on by the city of Gilbert that was entertaining.  Karsten thought the sparklers were fun, but the fireworks were too loud for him and he either covered his ears or buried his head in mine or Kent's lap.  He was the best sport about cleaning up the remains afterwards and helped Kimball.  

The night ended perfectly with the Monsoon Season's Nature show of lightening, thunder and a sudden downpour.