Prescott Frontier Days- Happy 4th of July!

As much as I love the 4th of July in Idaho Falls, and trust me, I do love the 4th of July in Idaho Falls, this year I wasn't able to go with Bridget, Brad, Ariana, and Tyler (for their experience, see Bridget's post). Although I get a lot of Paid Time Off, I'm going to be cutting it close this semester by taking off 3 full weeks for school. BUT... I have an aunt in Prescott, AZ. John has an old mission companion who lives there. So...off to Prescott!! 

First, we went and picked up our Jeep Patriot. John is very responsible and decided that renting a car would be very good and safe for this drive (yes, it's only about 90 miles. Whatever. He gets a good deal at the resort where he works) :o) ) But a Jeep Patriot was the only car they had left. Turns out John hates Jeeps. Especially, perhaps, ugly bright blue ones that make weird noises even though they only have 26,000 miles on them. Turns out that when you put the two of us with 3 hours of sleep each in a car that one of us passionately hates we get a little frustrated with each other. I must say (forgive me for this one) but it felt very "married" to get so frustrated and have to get over it so fast for the sake of each other and a fun weekend. And we did. And we had a blast. But we will never rent a Jeep again!! :-) 

Anyways! We stayed at the Close family's house. They knew I was coming and decided the best way to welcome me was by a giant "Hello!!" and a group hug. You would have thought I just got home from MY mission! They were so cute and so excited. They even got John & I matching America shirts to match the rest of the family.
In reality, I didn't know other families got as excited as mine did, but this family could have put mine to shame a couple times (well, almost)!

The first night, we got in kinda late and just ate and talked. And played Balderdash, which I haven't played in forever but turns out I still love. (oh, and I won.) :-)

I slept in a little office that they got all ready for me downstairs. They were so so sweet to me. Grandpa even took me on a tour of the house. I know all the plants in this beautiful backyard!
The next morning we got up at 6-ish (did that sink in?) to be ready for the parade. The 2 1/2 hour parade. Ok, it was long, but random and fun. It included such awesomeness as:

a random family with a baby in a car seat, the worst bald eagle EVER, Miss Rodeo Gilbert, a cute post office float (Love the Mail!), Little Leaguers, and a very cute little girl!

AND THEN THERE WAS THE BOOT RACE.

How I didn't think it was necessary to pick up boots for this weekend kind of escapes me. I actually plan on bringing my entire family to Prescott just for this event at some point in my life. The Boot Race is a 100-yard dash performed entirely in cowboy boots. There is a 3 and under wave (so cute!), a huge 4 and 5 year old wave (the best), and progressively up until 55 and older. I would never want to race in the guys one; they are way too fast, but the girls one is so small and looks so fun. Everyone in every race duct tapes their boots so they don't fall off and takes off. Here's a glimpse at the 5-year olds. Loved it. 

The rest of the day was spent in  a marshmallow fight, a kickball game, visiting my aunt, and the fireworks. We were the very last people to get our hot dogs before the fireworks started (thanks to the flashlight app available on the iphone). And they were beautiful fireworks. I missed the Idaho Falls narrator from the radio station telling about the pioneers crossing the plains, and Nana crying, and "I'm Proud to Be an American." That is now ingrained in me; but it was a gorgeous Prescott night, and I loved every minute of it. Happy Birthday America!!