2026 Fourth of July: America 250

This morning Rick and I packed up the grandkids (Everett and Callan) and headed to the parade! It was PACKED!! I don't think I have ever seen it so crowded! They changed the route this year to start on Main Street on 100 South and go to 900 East. Jenna was in the parade with the Santa Clara Royalty and so she met her group at 8:00. We also arrived at 8:00 (the parade started at 8:30) but it was really difficult finding an open spot. We ended up in a sunny area and it was HOT!! I wished I had brought the cooling cloths that I got for our Tuacahn show. 

The kids just care about the candy -- and there wasn't much. But there were people passing out apples and otter pops, which is even better. They did get a little candy. I'm okay with them not getting a lot, except for having to listen to, "where is the candy! I want candy!" It was fun to cheer on Jase and Ellen with Liberty Village and Jenna with the Santa Clara Royalty. The parade was over 90 minutes, we left a little early to help put Jenna's casseroles in the oven before all of her friends came over. 

Jenna was SO excited for the Fourth of July and very sick of being home bound after getting her tonsils out on the 23rd. So she planned a FULL day of activities for her and her friends. She sometimes says, "If I don't plan something then nothing will happen!" Her plans included the parade (all her friends came to cheer them on) and then brunch at our house. She was planning on it being brunch, but it was noon before everything finished and so it was lunch. She had spent the whole day cooking yesterday. She made three breakfast casseroles -- two cinnamon roll/french toast casseroles (one gluten free and one regular) and a casserole with sausage and eggs. We were the recipients of her efforts because we got to eat the leftovers, haha! 

All of her friends came over to eat (I forgot to get a picture) and then they went to Andrew's house for swimming, games, and croquet. Then some of the kids volunteered for the flag unfurling at the pre-show to the Russell Dickerson concert at Utah Tech University (in exchange for free tickets) and then they all watched the concert and the firework show. Then they went back to Andrew's house for glowstick swimming! She had a GREAT day!! Here is the album with lots of pictures!! 

The one below is a re-creation picture from a picture taken at last year's Fourth of July at Lake Powell! 

Fourth of July!!

 Click HERE for the Fourth of July Google Album!! (I will add more details when I have time!) 

Fourth of July in CHICAGO!!!

After the church history trip with the cousins our family continued on to Chicago for a couple of days to see the sites. Jared was excited because he served his mission in Chicago and we thought it would be fun to spend the Fourth of July there. We were nervous on the long drive from Nauvoo to Chicago because the rental car had to be turned in before the place closed and we were cutting it VERY close! We made it though!! 

We dropped off the rental car, pulled out our luggage, and walked to our hotel. We were right in the city on an extremely high floor! We walked to a restaurant for dinner. 

We thought that there would be a lot going on in Chicago for the Fourth of July, but there really wasn't much, except for fireworks the night before. We wondered why they had fireworks the on July 3rd instead of July 4th. The fireworks were going to be set off at the pier and so we walked over -- along with thousands of other people. It was SO crowded!! Jenna had her cell phone in her back pocket and I thought for sure someone would swipe it. I kept taking it from her and putting in my sling bag since it is worn in front of me and probably a much safer option. We walked over and found a place to sit on the grass. We didn't have blankets or anything to sit on and our view wasn't very good since there was a tree partially obstructing our view. 

We had headed out in the morning and saw what looked like a parade going on, but it turned out to be an anti-Israel, pro-palistinian protest!! There were cops everywhere! We went into a store only to see a cop apprehending someone in the store. The whole atmosphere made me on feel on edge. I could never see myself living here, haha. 

We walked over to the bean and took some pictures. It was pretty cool! It was also really crowded in spite of the light drizzling rain. It was also very hot and humid!! 

After the bean we went to a nearby mini golf course! 

We walked around the city and went to Chinatown and got something to eat. 

We went to lunch at a Chinese Restaurant! 

Jared really wanted us to experience Chicago deep dish pizza and so we tried out one of their pizza places (that had gluten free options). It was really good! 

July 5: Rick learned that there was a Deaf Expo going on just a few blocks from our hotel and so of course he couldn't resist going and throwing a little work in to the trip so that we could make part of our expenses tax deductible. The kids opted to stay back at the hotel and sleep in. I first I was really resistant to going to the Deaf Expo on our vacation, but it turned out fine. We even ran into some friends of ours there! (Billy Kendrick) 

We went back for the kids and checked out of our hotel and checked in our luggage in the hotel's secure facility and then did some more sight seeing before heading back home to Utah! 

I put this post together on July 4, 2025 a year after it occured, so if there are any inaccuracies to the information, that is why! It is as correct as I remember it though! 

Fourth of July (Church History Trip)

 Jenna - July 4th Overview: 

The Fourth of July was a very exciting day. Me, Josh, and dad left the day before for Vegas and stayed the night in a hotel. Then we woke up that morning at 4:00 a.m. and we were so tired, but we left for the airport then got checked in and waited for the plane to come. After we got on the plane to Texas. I slept most of the way, which felt so nice, haha. 

Then we got off in the Texas airport waiting for our next flight, but here is where we met up with the Westras and we got some cheese cubes then went back on another plane headed to New York. When we got there it was so weird. It did not feel like a new state, but the difference was that the humidity was way stronger then in St. George, and I didn't like that feeling. We ate at Olive Garden that night for dinner then headed over to Canada and it was so pretty and green, but with such tall buildings. 

We got a hotel for the night and then we went to Niagara Falls and saw the waterfalls and they were so pretty. We also looked around the gift shops and stuff and then once it got dark the fireworks started. It was nothing that crazy, but still fun to watch. I think that is a great place for tourists to visit, though I wouldn't want to stay for more than one day. After the show was over we walked home and it felt great outside, but a little cold because we stopped for ice cream and the deals were horrible on the ice cream. I got a small one for $8.00 but it was still good haha then we left for the hotel and we all just went right to bed because we were all so tired from the day and that was the first day of the tour so far it has been great!! 

Fourth of July

The Fourth of July was kind of the pits this year. Jenna tested positive for Covid the Saturday before and so she was in isolation and then I tested positive on the Fourth of July and so I was in isolation also. We were supposed to have a BBQ with the Williams and then watch fireworks with them later that night, but we had to miss that. Jenna had a pretty good attitude though. She got dressed up and painted her whole body with red, white, and blue paint and did a few sparklers and then went on the roof of our garage to watch the fireworks that were going off around the neighborhood. I didn't do too much -- just hung around the house and watched the newish movie, West Side Story." Josh worked at Wendy's during the day and then did something with friends in the evening. Jaiden went over to the Williams in the evening to watch them do their fireworks. 

Rick was in Florida to prepare for teaching FSY (For the Strength of Youth) on Tuesday and Wednesday. He went up a few days early so that he could meet with the Bishop of the Deaf Branch and his wife on Saturday and then attend the Deaf Branch on Sunday. He also was able to meet with the principal of the School for the Deaf in St. Augustine, who gave him a tour of the school. Rick was able to talk with them about the resources that were available for those students who were interested in attending seminary. He was also able to meet with several of the youth who had gone to FSDY (For the Strength of Deaf Youth) and interview them about their experience. He said that he received a very warm welcome and was glad that he could make those connections. 

Janika and Brandon spent the holiday at home with Everett, who wasn't feeling well, and Jared was at FSY at Snow College in Ephraim. Jase and Ellen were able to spend some time with Ellen's parents who had flown out to Maryland that weekend. They all went to New York and Jase and Ellen and Ellen's mom, Suzanne, went to go see the Broadway show Wicked, while Ellen's Dad, Dean, watched Evan. They were able to celebrate Evan's first birthday and so see the sites while they were in town. 

Fourth of July!!

Lighting a few leftover sparklers that the kids happened to have on hand was pretty much the extent of our Fourth of July celebrations this year! We joked about how Josh looked like the "The Angel of Music" with the shadows making wings behind him. He and Jaiden blessed us with a rendition from the Phantom of the Opera to heighten the effect! 

Fourth of July!!

The usual festivities at the park were cancelled due to Covid-19 and so we did our own thing for the Fourth of July this year! (The city still had a parade and a road race, but we weren't thrilled with the parade in the past and so we passed on that.) Janelle's friend, Porter Radley, is starting his mission in a few days and so he wanted to go do something with friends. So Janelle, Jaiden, Emily, Tanisha and Porter went bowling for a few hours today. Emily creamed them all.

Janelle went to a work BBQ and then spent the rest of the evening with friends. The rest of the family (and some friends) had a rousing game of pool volleyball -- boys against the girls (girls lost) and then had a barbecue. Jaiden and Emily went to a work party at Dixie pool (even though Jaiden hasn't officially started her job yet) and then they joined up with the rest of us at the Williams for rootbeer floats and fireworks!

Allison sent me some pictures she had taken of the girls with the big box of fireworks along with a picture from 2014 of Jenna and Clarissa standing in front of a big box of fireworks. The box is probably about the same size, but the girls have sure grown! Jenna and Clarissa used to be the same height, but look how tall Clarissa is now! 

Fourth of July at EFY!!

Jaiden's write up: 

On Thursday (Fourth of July) we did the devotional, breakfast, and gospel study, and then we split up for the young mens and young womens activity. We learned about the book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. It was really cool! Then the young women went to the morningside which was also super good! After that, we had lunch and then the variety show!! It was really good!! Then we had free time, and then dinner. After that we had the musical program and the fireside. It was super good! Then we sang the EFY medley and went to our testimony meetings. It was good! Then, because it was the fourth of July, we got to watch FIREWORKS!!!! It was soooooo much fun!! They were like playing music and we were just all having a party! But then by the time we got to bed it was probably almost one in the morning! Because our dorms were closer to the fireworks they had to close them all off. And then once we got ready for bed, Emily and I had to plan our devotional.

Wendy's journal: (Rick and I were Session Directors this week)

Thursday 4: Happy Fourth of July!! This morning we had the Young Men and Young Women's devotionals. Unfortunately during lunch I had an allergic reaction to the gluten free sandwich I was eating. They have a separate food table for people with dietary restrictions. They had received my e-mail about being gluten free but not my second e-mail explaining that I was also allergic to flax seed and almonds and almond flour. I asked if the lady at the table if she knew the ingredients in the bread and she said she didn't know. I should have asked her to call and find out. Instead I took my lunch and ate two bites and waited. Sure enough I started feeling sick and ditched the rest of the bread and took two allergy pills. Sometimes I can nip it in the bud, but it didn't work this time.

I went back to the lady at the food table and had her call and get the ingredients. Sure enough there was flax in the bread. Rick had to take me back to the hotel and then came back for the variety show. I love the variety show and felt really bad missing it! But it was a good thing I stayed back. I felt worse and worse and was in so much pain! It was horrible! I kept praying for relief and trying to throw up. Finally after lots of prayers I was able to throw up. I had been sick for three hours. I was finally able to fall asleep for a bit. It still took some time but I gradually started to feel better after that. Rick came back and picked me up and we headed to dinner (ugh!) I ate very light -- just some fruit. It helped me to feel better though and I was fine the rest of the evening, thank goodness!!

After dinner we met for the musical program and Brother Jensen's fireside. They were both great! Then we split up for testimony meetings. Brother Jensen and I attended separate meetings and they were both amazing meetings. After the testimony meeting everyone changed their clothes and then headed to the big field to watch the fireworks! It was like a huge party! Music was playing and kids were playing games, passing footballs or Frisbees, socializing and just having a great time.

It took quite a while for the fireworks to start. Unfortunately Rick and I left at the wrong time and got totally stuck in traffic. It took us almost an hour to drive the normally 8 minute drive back to our hotel!

Fourth of July

This morning my kids (Jase, Jared, Janelle, Jaiden) and I got up bright and early to set up flags (along with Brother Douglas and several of my young women at 6:30 a.m.!  The younger kids and I then went to the parade and free activities at St. George Town Square. Then we checked out a new park across from the rec center. Normally it is always crowded, but since everyone was at the Town Square we pretty much had this park to ourselves!! Tonight we lit fireworks and had rootbeer floats with the Williams!

Jenna did her own Fourth of July make up with colored pencils. She put the tips in hot water to soften them and then drew it on! Pretty cool!