24th of July Bountiful Parade

So...every 24th of July, we go up to my parents house in Bountiful to watch the Bountiful parade come down main street. It is a huge tradition in our family and for Bountiful. My Aunt Jenna (My Dad's older sister who is in her mid 80's) lives along main street. In fact, she lives in the same house that my dad and all of his siblings were born and grew up in. Anyway, back on the parade. My aunt's house is located near the beginning of the parade and is in the shade during the parade. She has a huge beautiful and very green front yard always full of the prettiest flowers. So sitting there for the parade, we really have the best seat in the house!

Growing up we used to wake up at 3 in the morning to rush down the street with our chairs and blankets to put along the perimeter of my aunt's lawn. We never had a problem getting up because we knew that afterwards, my aunt would give us pop and cookies. It was the best breakfast to a little kid! Anyway, Bountiful has since changes their policies on how to save spots. Now, you can't put anything out until 6:00 am. So my aunt wakes up really early and stands guard on her front porch. She sends away anyone who dares to even park in front of her house with the intention of waiting until 6:00 am and lay their stuff out on her private/public property. Is it legal for her to send away people who want to sit on the public owned strip of lawn in front of her house? Probably not, but she does it anyway and has no problem with it. Who would argue with an 80 year old woman anyways. ;) She has even gone as far as to turn the sprinklers on getting their blankets wet. As you can see, the Bountiful Parade is a big deal to my aunt. Mainly because, she knows that she will have a group of 70+ family members spread across her lawn watching the parade so she wants ALL of her yard saved. She is so sweet and provides, along with my Mom, several folding tables full of treats and snacks for everyone. There is also always 4 or 5 coolers full of bottled water, fruit drinks and pop. We have a great time at the Bountiful parade and look forward to it every year.

After the parade we drive up to my cousins house, also there in Bountiful, and watch the best fireworks in the state. They are seriously the best I have ever seen. We did't watch them last year, but we did this year. Millie loved them and kept shouting out, "Oh Wow!" It was cute watching her lay next to John, completely adorned with glow sticks, enjoying the fireworks.

The next day, we headed over to the Bountiful Carnival with my parents and my brother Anthony. We all had a great time watching Millie on the rides, getting her prizes from the fish pond and eating yummy food! It was a great Pioneer Day weekend!!!