Fourth of July: Idaho Style

I absolutely love the Fourth of July. It is one of my favorite holidays and I have so many awesome memories of the Fourth from growing up. We'd head over to the neighbors, have barbecues and always launch the traditional fireworks. I'm a huge fan. Marriage, however, has led me to compromise on my holidays. 

Phil's family lives too far away for us to spend holiday weekends with them so we headed up to good ol' Idaho Falls for our Fourth this year. Apparently it's the biggest fireworks show west of the Mississippi, so I conceded to make the trip. Phil was so excited to see his old friends and the families from his ward. We left on Thursday after work and had a gorgeous drive up. It was absolutely beautiful.

Ignore the Dirty Windshield. 

We stayed with Phil's family friends, the Avondets. It was a madhouse because they had all of their kids in for the weekend too. I felt bad because we had a bed and some of them slept on a couch but they were so gracious. We were up bright and early Friday morning for the big Independence Day Parade. It was so cute. Plenty of cheesy floats and bulk candy. Totally American.

USA Pride!

We hung out with Phil's friends' families. We had two barbecues (with homemade root beer) on Friday and lots of fun. Somehow, every holiday in the US revolves around food. I'm not complaining.

Phil Making Root Beer

Eventually, it came time for the fireworks. Everyone heads down to the river hours early and we went too to save our spot. Since we had some extra time, we walked around the banks of the river and got to meet up with one of Phil's favorite mission companions who's up in Rexburg for school. It was hot but so worth it.

THE Idaho Falls

IF Temple from Across the River

Phil and Eddie

Once we walked back, the fireworks started. They didn't disappoint. Everything was choreographed to music and I loved it.

Boom!

Saturday was amazing too. I told Phil that I wanted to see all of the sights from Idaho Falls and he was an excellent tour guide. He took me on a chronological tour of his life in IF. We started at his house (which is now owned by a family that rents it out. That was disappointing) and then met his Chinese neighbors, Rita and Henry Chu. Oh my goodness, I love Asians. Rita was truly delightful. She sat us down and pulled out pictures she'd saved of Phil on his mission and from our wedding invitation. She wouldn't let us leave without bottles of water and gatorade, Chinese dishes and scarves and a bamboo painting. Loved her.

The Crepeau Home

Phil and Rita

After stopping there, he took me to his old elementary school (which was under construction), his junior high, and high school. We then went by the pool where Phil used to work and stopped at the IF Temple. The Visitor's Center was awesome and the missionaries were cute. The temple was magnificent. I fell in love with the fountain in front and the beautiful stained glass.

Edgemont Elementary

Taylorview Junior High

Go Tigers!

IF Pool

IF Temple

From the temple we went on to see Papa Crepeau's old office and headed out to get ice cream at Reed's Dairy. The ice cream was delicious and their Gorilla Crunch flavor did not disappoint. Yummy swirls of chocolate and peanut butter... I was in heaven! The baby cows were a fun addition and we found out just how long their tongues are. Crazy!

The Traditional Phil Pose 

Gorilla Crunch!

The Tongue!

After the IF tour, we came home and had dinner with the Avondet family and played some yard games. I was a master at bocce but "Mexican Golf" was not my strong suit. I did get a point, after the game was over but still felt the need to document it.

Phil Playing Mexican Golf

I Can Score Too!

The weather was so beautiful so we decided to head with the Avondets to a minor league baseball game across town. Go Idaho Falls Chuckers! They played the Ogden Raptors and lost, but it was still fun. Baseball is my pace because it allows for plenty of chatting between the exciting plays.

Oh Baseball...

Aviator Twins

We Love Erin!

We left the game a little early to head over to the drive-in. I'd never been to one before and it was on our summer bucket list. The weather got a little chilly but we still enjoyed ourselves.

Drive-In 

Needless to say, we came home super tired today. It was a busy and exciting weekend but we loved every second. We're so grateful to live in this amazing country and feel so blessed to be surrounded by amazing friends and family. Happy (belated) birthday America!