Fourth of July

The night before the 4th we went to a tumbling gym and had some fun there, then we just hung out and watched a movie, played games, etc. After curfew we weren't quite ready to go to bed, so a group of us decided to check out University Avenue and see all of the crazy people who were camped out along the street to keep a spot for the parade the next morning. We were just having fun walking around and seeing the craziness that was happening there because it is one of the only nights out of the year that Provo hasn't gone to sleep by like 1 or 2 in the morning. It was pretty interesting, until it started pouring rain on us and then it was just crazy! It was kind of funny to see all of the people that were camping out trying to find ways to hide from the rain. So then we turned back toward home and walked/ran home in the rain, which caused us to basically be soaked by the time we made it back. The weather kind of reminded me of monsoon season except it was really cold rain, so I spent a little time in the rain before going inside. Then I stayed up even later to paint my toenails cool colors to go with the holiday (red and white stripes) I finally went to bed way later than I should have and then woke up just in time to start off the day bright and early at 6 am.

Our first plan for the day was to go see the hot air balloon launch. It was really cool to see, I don't think I have ever seen hot air balloons take off before so it was pretty cool, even though it was way early!

Tony the tiger!


After the balloon launch we all walked over to Macey's along with a ton of people from Provo, for a free breakfast. So we had a delicious breakfast of French toast, buttermilk syrup and juice. After the breakfast we headed back to our apartments to get ready for the parade. What should have taken like 10 minutes or less (a car ride from Freedom St to 2oo E about 4 or 5 streets one way and maybe 3 the other) ended up taking us almost an hour due to all of the traffic blocks that they had for the parade. It was ridiculous!! We tried almost every street and got denied even though the parade wasn't starting for like another hour and a half, crazy!

Then we went to the parade and the Princesses (among others) made an appearance. (I only went after a short nap) And after the parade we went back to our apartments and got a little more ready for the day than we had to begin with (due to the horribly early hour) and then a group of us got together and played guitar hero for a long time along with playing other games, and watching an episode or two of Burn Notice (the show of our summer here the BC)

Then around 4 we got together and started planning for our hike to the Y. We planned a picnic and did the shopping, and put our lunch/dinner together.

Around 5 we got all our stuff together and got all ready to go hike the Y and we left. This was the view from the Y, of the sunset, it was really a neat contrast of light and dark and I wish that I could paint it or something because it was really beautiful!

After a picnic of chicken salad sandwiches, cookies, and grapes, JD was in the mood for some yoga type movements so he did that for a while while we waited for the fireworks of the night to start.

We also played some Phase 10 as we waited, which showed me that people really enjoy skipping me for some reason. Then we watched the fireworks and just talked and had a really good time spending time together. (Amy, me, Jeni, Joshua, and JD)

From the looks of this picture by the end of the night some of us were sick of the others, and tried to push them off of the mountain... but we all survived in one piece.

The view from the top!

JD thought the blanket would make a nice cape... or he just thought it might be more fun to carry it this way... I'm not really sure.

Jeni and I waiting for everyone else to get to the base of the Y

And the end of the hike. We survived, even in the dark, with only one or two little flashlights, and a scary climb down the face of the Y (which I aborted as soon as possible)