Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Our Fourth of July


This year our Fourth was pretty low-key. It wasn't nearly as exciting as last year's Red, White Trash and Blue Fourth of July.

Remember how Easter fell on General Conference Sunday and none of us Mormons knew when to dress our kids in their Easter clothes? That's kind of how it felt having the Fourth of July fall on a Sunday. Nobody in Utah really knew when to celebrate so it kind of got stretched over three days.

My family did all of our celebrating on Saturday morning. We woke up early and went to the East Millcreek parade. It is the perfect small town parade where the floats are small and kids ride bikes and throw candy. The best part is, you don't have to get there early to get a seat. My kids usually ride a float in this parade but since my Grandpa Poole (who makes the floats every year) passed away a few months ago, we just went to watch. Being at the parade really made me miss my Grandpa.


Sam had already ran 15 miles that morning...I hadn't.



My kids got more candy than they do at Halloween (yes, that is a guy walking his dog in the parade--I told you it was small-town!):


After the parade, we went to Kneaders for breakfast. If you haven't been there for their all-you-can-eat chunky cinnamon french toast, you haven't lived. They serve it with fresh strawberries and cream and it is to die for. I never go out for breakfast so this felt very decadent to me.


My only complaint is that Kneaders has started doing what the OG has done for years with their bottomless salad and bread sticks--You ask for more, and they bring you one more tiny slice. You ask for more again, and they bring you one more tiny slice. If I have to ask for more 15 times, I don't think they should be able to call it "All-you-can-eat." They obviously don't want you asking for more. Drives me crazy! Luckily, the diet coke was flowing and I was able to drink to my heart's content.

We came home and Sam and I both spent the rest of the day trying to sneak off to bed for a nap without the other one noticing. He won.

11 comments:

The Mostess said...

Sweet! Logan and I will be in the parade next year. I will walk him in a hat from Target, and that will be our shtick.

The weekend was totally weird! I had to teach on Monday, so my holiday weekend felt all jacked up. Party on Saturday, work on Monday. I feel ripped off.

Kneader's sounds sooo tasty. I'm not even jealous because I have been noshing on gluten free cinnamon rolls for the last 2 days. Mmm.

Ashley said...

1. Sam's spandex look great. Did he run 15 miles and not shower before the festivities, or did he run 15 miles, shower, then put on spandex?

2. I think that picture of Sammie eating french toast is the most Brookie-like she has ever looked.

3. We will hopefully be at the parade next year to get candy and see Kaari and Logan.

Denise said...

I LOVE the nap comment. We do that too, our house is too small so I ALWAYS know. You should've won since you have a wee baby, though.

Heather said...

I love the small-town parades! And I love French toast! I think that sounds like the perfect holiday...except for you not getting your nap...

Jill said...

I thought it was funny that we didn't know which day to celebrate the 4th this year, it made for a weird weekend.

Really, Sam ran 15 miles that morning? Why didn't I get any overachiever-type genes?

I haven't been to Kneaders for breakfast before, but this systems sounds like it could prove embarrassing.

Linde said...

Don't you love getting a nap? Sorry you lost this time. :) Your turn for a nap during the 24th of July celebrations!!

Anonymous said...

I swear all that Sam does is sleep. zzzzz ... zzzz ... wake up Sam!

Sam said...

Ashley, I’m flattered by the comment but I’m not wearing any spandex in the photo; Dri-FIT but not spandex. Woke up at 4:30 a.m., drove to Emigration Canyon, ran up and down Emigration, purchased beverage, went directly to parade route in Millcreek and secured seating. While I changed shirts, there was no shower until I returned home. Upon request, I can provide split times.

It is true I took a nap that afternoon. What can I say? I’m spoiled and pampered. I’m just an old fashioned husband who does very little around the house and leaves Brooke with the kids on a daily basis. Naps are sacred time to me; I take one every Saturday and two on Sunday. I have heard about husbands who cook, clean, do their own laundry, get up with the kids, take kids on bike rides, take kids to baseball games, take kids camping, do home renovations, all while providing for their family. But I have no respect for such men, who are so emasculated they probably get “action” every time Halley’s comet flies overhead.

Some might view Brooke’s subtle jab about the nap and previous posts about hard motherhood is as a cry for help from a non-supportive husband—for me to become one of these modern day co-equals. But I am a man who believes in traditional family values and respecting the roles as outlined in the Proclamation to the Family.

sarahw said...

Sam, why are you waking up at 4:30am? Your comment is hilarious. Sounds like you all had a fun 4th of July, even if "fireworks" were not involved (according to Sam). Brooke you are looking great.

Heidi said...

Kneaders french toast is to die for and I hate french toast!

Ashley said...

Next year the kids (hopefully ALL of them) will be throwing candy again instead of getting it. . .we had big plans for a little float this year, but what with all the babies and collapsed lungs and such, it just didn't happen!
And we're changing the tradition from the pancake breakfast at the park to Kneaders!
(this is MOM -Linda)