Fireworks, Freedom, and Food!

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays...actually aside from our Savior's birth and death at Christmas and then Easter...the Fourth is my favorite.

What more could you ask of a holiday? Beautiful weather, special memories with your family, and the best food in the entire world!! I thought since my love for the Fourth is so strong I would make a top ten list of my favorite Fourth of July memories. Here it goes...

10. This memory actually occurred the day after the Fourth of July when my brother, sister, Josh, Mandi (my other brother and sister), and I would stay home from the pool (sometimes even skip swim practice) to pick up all the tiny army men that were strewn across the Epperson's yard from a few of our favorite fireworks. What did we ever do with those things anyway?

9. The line of lawn chairs that spread across the Epperson's entire yard {and driveway} ready for people to take in the sights of the best firework show in Lexington is also a favorite memory! I hope one day my kids get to sit with people that they love and enjoy this incredible holiday too.

Adam, Mandi, and Kari enjoying the view (with a few broken bones in tow)

2008

Sawyer, Koti, and Josh also sitting in their lawn chairs preparing for the fireworks

2008

8. Homemade ice cream is something I will never forget about our Fourth of July celebrations. We had everything from butterfinger to banana and if your bowl didn't contain heaping helpings of at least two different kinds you were really missing out on one of the best desserts our Fourth party had to offer.

7. Some of my favorite memories are the times I just got to spend time with my family. The Fourth of July is just a good excuse to have a party {AND} hang out with the family.

Kari and I taking a break from working on the house last year to enjoy dinner and fireworks!

2010

Johnny being a good sport and playing the Minute to Win It games we randomly thought of on our deck

2010

Mandi, Kari, and I waiting for the family to go see the fireworks in downtown Lexington

2011

The Eppersons, Humkeys, Wades, Gesenhues, and Carrolls...our family has expanded just a little since our first party!

2011

6. I love running in the Bluegrass 10,000. If we weren't working that day we would run/walk this race almost every year or at least go downtown and cheer on some of our favorite runners. This year I ran and had the privilege of representing Team Momentum.

My time: 59:59 (under ONE hour...small victories...)

My race number: 2003 (This is year I graduated high school.)

My place: 1521 (This has no significance and really isn't that great but I was happy with it anyway!)

Team Momentum getting ready to run in the Bluegrass 10,000

2011

Philip and I with our hands on our hearts {with love for our country}

2011

My Bluegrass 10,000 time posted in the Herald Leader

2011

5. Hot dogs are one of my favorite foods along with baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and ANY and EVERY appetizer that graces the counter on the Fourth of July. I love the Fourth food and remember many parties where the spread on Debbie's kitchen counter was enough to feed an army! I am sure Debbie and Keith felt like they were feeding an army too when we all showed up without fail EVERY Fourth of July!

4. Now that the Fourth is over I can officially say this is a memory. John and I bought our first house last year and have loved decorating and making it our own. This year we put flags on the front porch and I love them! What do you think?

Our First Home decorated for my favorite day!

2011

The Gesenhues and Humkeys walking to the fireworks at the Fort

2011

3. Since I have been rambling on about why I love the Fourth I thought I would ask Johnny what he thought. He answered quickly with, "The Fort Thomas parade is one of my favorite things, next to the Epperson's party of course." At the parade we normally find a seat in front of the fire station and eat tons of candy that is thrown from the floats. I obviously love it too...but you probably already knew that!

John and I in our old apartment waiting to leave for the parade

2008

Mitch McConnell in the Fort Thomas parade

2008

2. I gave him one more spot in my top ten list {not because I couldn't think of any...just because I thought it would be more interesting that way...). He said, "I also love getting steak sandwiches in Lexington with you..." He is a man of many words...can't you tell?! Oh, and let me clarify, I have never eaten a steak sandwich and this only happened once in all of our Fourths when we were walking around downtown Lexington after the Bluegrass 10,000 in 2005! It is funny what he remembers...but I am not judging because ALL Fourth of July memories are worth reliving! We had a lot of fun looking back at pictures too.

John and I at the Fourth Festivities in Lexington

2005

John and I at the Epperson's Fourth Party

2006

1. My favorite memory every year no matter where I end up {Lexington or Fort Thomas} is watching fireworks with my husband. Johnny knows that I think there is something magical about fireworks and he always makes sure he is close when the show begins. It is like experiencing our own fairy tale ending every year! Speaking of fairy tales...

Fireworks

2011

Kari, Philip, and Little Baby Carroll enjoying the fireworks display

(Yep, I said it...Kari is pregnant! I can't wait to share the Fourth of July, my favorite holiday, with my little niece or nephew next year! How exciting!!)

(Oh, and congrats you two love birds!)

2011