Independence Day: Part 1

Fourth of July is one of few holidays where we truly have no traditions as a family.  When I was growing up it always involved lots of family togetherness with barbeques, swimming, parades, and fireworks.  Somehow in my married life, this has not transitioned over to our lives.  As a nurse I am expected to work a certain number of holidays due to being employed at a hospital with 24/7 service.  Because of that, I have worked many Fourth of July's in the 8+ years in my career.  Then the few years I have had off, have found me at girls camp twice and then finally driving home from a family wedding in Colorado last year.  This year I was intent on being able to spend quality family time together since I knew we were going to be in Arizona for the holiday.  Unfortunately Jesse was gone for his summer internship in Baltimore so we knew he wouldn't be able to join us.  The only thing that was a little downer was the fact my parents had already moved to Austin, Texas by the time we came to visit so we really hardly saw them and definitely weren't able to spend any time with them on Independence Day.  

Despite that, we planned a fun day with the Toronto grandparents and Aunties. 

 First thing on our list was good old fashioned ice blocking at Freestone Park.  Ice blocking is the sport of using large blocks of ice to reach relatively high speeds down a grassy hill.  The only required materials that you needs are large blocks of ice, towels and a grassy hill.  You sit on the block of ice (with a towel covering it) and slide down the hill, quite simply you let gravity do its thing.

 When you grow up living in a city that literally NEVER snows you have to be creative with ways to experience sledding.  The kids had a blast and thought it was hilarious to head down the hill on a block of ice.  The only downer was the fact it was overcast in the morning and started to rain, but we didn't let that stop us from enjoying ourselves!

 Robby clung to Esther as usual and they made quite the team down the hill.

The kids especially got a kick out of watching Papa ride down the hill and Maggie {the dog} even joined in on the festivities and ran down the hill several times.  She was exhausted after a few of these runs.....she is getting old after all and not used to the endless energy my kids have.