Independence Day

We spent the 4th of July up in St. Anthony, Idaho this year. It was a short trip, but we managed to pack in plenty of activity. It was good to see Grandma Tibbitts and be back at her house, the river, etc. now that the snow is gone (the house itself was almost covered with snow when we were there a few months ago).

Somehow our trips to grandma's house have always seemed to coordinate nicely with my cousins' visits. This time they were on their way back to Missouri, so we got to spend some time with them. Our kids did well having other kids around with whom to play.

Our visit included a trip to the beloved "Horsie Park" around the corner from Grandma's house (somehow not as magical as it once was, but the kids had fun), tubing the Snake River, trying out the rope swing, playing kick ball, and shooting off fireworks after dark. Our $10 firework show may not have stretched as far had we not been sharing the driveway with Evan's more elaborate supply, though the kids were just as entertained by good old fashioned sparklers. SCC was not so sure about the fireworks (maybe some to do with it all occurring way after bedtime); after asking to go inside and enjoying the show from Grandma's front window, she finally did try out her very first sparkler on Dad's lap.

On Saturday morning, we drove out to the Eastern Idaho sand dunes and played for a while. Then we headed over to the Sand Bar for a swim in the river. I couldn't get over all the fabulous things there are to do in St. Anthony--all the small-town summer activities I never did much growing up because we were usually visiting around Thanksgiving. Anyhow, it's definitely one of my favorite places to be.