Utah Trip 2013: Mexican Feast, July 4th, and Goodbye

The day before the 4th of July we headed back up to Utah. While we were driving, our new brother-in-law, Jordan, was slaving away in the kitchen making an authentic mexican spread for us. When we found out that he loved to cook we asked him if he would show us his skills. Since they were back from their honeymoon and we were about to leave for Maryland, there was no better time!

The juice was made from cantaloupe. And then there was a bean soup, awesomely smoked meat, and deliciously fresh pico. What better way to celebrate the birth of America??

That night I had a few birthday surprises that I wasn't expecting.
I'll take birthday presents any old time! Thanks Brooke and Tyler and Mom and Dad!

Then we sat on the lawn and watched a few fireworks.

On the morning of the 4th we went to a neighborhood breakfast and the kids decorated their bikes and scooters and did a little neighborhood parade.

My dad decided he wanted to be in the parade too so he took his car and drove next to the kids.

What is it about being in a parade that makes a kid feel like a superstar?

After the parade Steve and I took the kids down to Orem to visit his grandparents. I wish we had pictures to prove it, but we ended up just visiting and having fun.  First, we stopped by the Farnworth's for a little visit with Brady and Raquel and Rylee and then we all headed over to a park for the annual Cramer family picnic. It was great to see so many people that we probably wouldn't have gotten to see otherwise. While at the picnic I picked up a few quilts that Steve's Aunt Cathy had quilted for me. It was so fun to talk about quilting! I have yet to find anyone here in Maryland that quilts. It would be so fun to live in Utah and talk quilting all the time since I'm kind of getting hooked on it.

After hanging out in Orem we headed straight up to Clearfield to eat dinner with my Grandpa and Grandma Bush. It was fun to spend some one on one time with them.

We ate fresh raspberries from their garden and lots of other yummy stuff. I also got to talk quilting with my grandma...why couldn't I get into quilting when she only lived an hour away??

Cody and Kylee started a game of tag with Grandpa before we hopped in the car.

That night we watched big fireworks that were going off in my parent's neighborhood in every direction all from their front yard. How cool that Utah legalized all fireworks!

The next morning we had to say goodbye for reals this time.

We had such a great time and we were able to do so much!

Thanks to everyone who made our trip awesome!!