FOURTH

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I don't know what the rest of the country did, but here in southeast Idaho, the Fourth of July was a Third of July event. Too many darn Mormon Sabbath Day observers.

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It was okay with us though. We're a couple of darn Mormons ourselves.

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Keeping with tradition, we watched community members parade down our small-town main street. Here, little ones anxiously await the candy tossin' floats.

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Sweet Land of Liberty
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.We all showed up in our shorts and flip flops, but were taunted by unexpectedly chilly temperatures and overcast skies.
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I took this picture in honor of my first-ever red toenails. I had never been brave enough before.
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.Here we are on our claimed curb.
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I was a fan of this group's solution for parade comfort.
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Entire outfits made from newsprint. Check out those adorable dresses and tuxes!

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We saw some fun things...

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But nothing compared to this display of patriotism.

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Anybody got any tots?

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An annual highlight is the free milk. The adults swarm that truck worse than the kids do.
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The extent of our holiday home decor

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Celebrating the freedom of a day off.

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Flag-lined fence.

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Country pride.

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Lemonade Stand.

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Peaceful afternoon.

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I love old barns and American Flags.
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For the firework show, we drive half an hour to Idaho Falls. We're always shocked at how much we forget about city life.

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The show draws as many as 100,000 spectators every year.

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We all sit along the river near the Idaho Falls Temple.

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Here's our especially reserved grassy knoll. And there's the rest of the bishopric all bundled up. I couldn't believe how COLD it was!

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I had to laugh at this couple's perfect set-up for the show.
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I guess it's the "thing to do" to bring a couch into the great outdoors in celebration of the 4th.

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Or the 3rd. Whatever.

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And as always, the show was AMAZING. I love the star-like sparkles in this shot.

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I hope everyone had a happy Independence Day! Hooray for America. We live in a great land.

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