*The Rhoades*: 4th Of July festivities!!!

I can't believe it's July already! Where is this year going?! Well, for the 4th of July weekend we both had the 4th off so it was a fun but very busy weekend! Thursday night (the 3rd) is the traditional South Salt Lake fireworks. And let me tell you! That show is by far the best firework show out there. It compares to Sugar House (even news people have been saying that) This year, they made the firework budget bigger so the show was noticeably better than last year! The finale was no lie, probably close to 10 minutes long! It was awesome! So awesome that it about burnt down the football field. They had some ply wood up on the bleachers that was next to the announcers box that got caught on fire. But of course they have like all of South Salt Lake fire trucks there so they got it out in no time! It was so fun to see everybody. It's a mini high school reunion. I saw a bunch of friends from High School (who I MISS, and if any of you are reading this, let's get together!) It made the night so much better when I saw my best friend from Sophmore year and partly into Jr year there. She has been living in Hawaii for about 5 years now and last I talked to her was about 2 years. We just lost contact. Well, she's back here to live now with her husband and her cute little boy! I have missed her and it was so fun to catch up and see her! My friend who used to work with me, Candice, and her husband and adorable twins came too! And of course, all of my family and Preston's family. My brother was working on his Eagle Project there and had a booth for Donar Awareness. It was a big success and it was fun helping him! He is still going to do a Bees game or something to get more hours in and more awareness to be a donor out there! Well, enough of my rambling, here are some fun pictures of the fun night!

This is myself and Sophie-Jo... my friend that moved back from Hawaii!

Chase and Preston!

Lili stabbing Preston! Can't you tell it's hurting him? haha

Here we are baskin in the sun, saving seats, people watching and saying hi to friends who come by!

Mom and lili... Love them both!

Preston's awesome family! His sweet grandma, her boyfriend Bill, his fantastic mom and dad and the one and only, Jess!

On the 4th of July Preston and I got up bright and early and met up with my dad, my brother and Jacob (who is pretty much a kid in the family!) We went up to Brighton and went on a nice hike. It was a short 1 mile one way hike! It was SO nice up there. Everything so green and the temperature was probably 20 degrees cooler than down in the valley. We found out that while we were up there, The place we hiked at was the first Pioneer day when Brigham Young and the pioneers were here. On the plaque it told where Brigham Young's campsite was and the games they played. It was cool to find that out! There was still snow up there. So we played in the snow on the 4th of July! We would throw snow balls at eachother throughout the hike and it felt so good! After the hike, we went home and took a nap and then went to Preston's parents for a BBQ and then met up with some of Preston's friends and went to the Clearfield fireworks. It was a fun but very tiring day! Saturday we had a "relax" day. We slept in, then we went to the Bountiful temple and after the temple we came home and got Papa Murphy's take 'n bake pizza (the best ever!) and watched Casino Royale. It was nice to just relax that night. Sunday we went to a baby blessing for my friend Brianna's baby! Then after that, we went up to Preston's grandmas house for her birthday and ate lots of food and played Signs with everybody, that game is so fun! Well, That was our eventfull weekend! I'm still worn out from it haha but it was awesomely fun! I'll put my patriotic part in... I love America! Proud to live here and love all our freedoms! Preston and I have such a great life and great families who we love SO much and the most amazing friends! And Preston is THE BEST EVER!!! I couldn't ask for a better husband! Alright. I'm done! Except for the couple of pictures of the hike! I hope you all had a great holiday!