Kanab 4th of July 2009

July 3, 2009

While I was growing up in Cedar City, Utah our family would often go to Kanab around the 4th of July. You see my Grandpa Jameson's birthday was on the 6th and we would help him celebrate. In the beginning we would go to Lake Powell around his birthday, boy did I look forward to those trips! As the years went on the the tradition changed a bit. When I was about 15 years old, my grandparents decided (actually I am not exactly sure how it all came to be, this is just my version) they were going to drive my Grandpa's 1950 something Chevy in the parade and the grandkids (most of us anyway) would follow beind in a golf cart type vehicle (it was bigger than a golf cart, but I'm not sure what to call it. At the time I called it a "Surrey" because it reminded me of the song from Oklahoma where it talked about a "Surrey with the fringe on top". The only similarity was the fringe:)!). That one time in the parade has taken on a life of its own and now nearly every year we go to Kanab for the 4th of July and participate in the parade. This year we had over 70 people there. It has turned into a reunion and we love it!

This year we got to Kanab on Friday, July 3 and we jumped right in! My dad will sometimes take everyone on a hike around the beautiful red hills of Kanab and this year was no exception. An hour or so after we arrived, Dad got us all together and we went hiking! We went up the canyon near where they shoot the fireworks off from.

Here we are at the base of the hill, getting ready to go. We had all ages and abilities come along.

As we were headed to the top we took a moment for a picture:).

What a beautiful view!

Here is Dad pointing out some "famous" landmarks.
I think he is showing us one of our former hikes.

You couldn't ask for a prettier hike:). We got started a little late and still needed sunlight to work on the float, so we headed back down sooner than we would have liked. Another year we will spend a little more time.

We all headed back to Uncle Richards house and started helping put together the floats. It is a good thing that the Lea Family head this up...or it probably wouldn't happen!

Me, Christy (Karl's wife), and Jamie (1st cousin...she designs our t-shirts every year!)

The kids were busy making their own masterpieces while
we worked on the floats (mostly we just did what they told us to do!).

Lindsay LOVES to draw and color!

We had a fun evening visiting and then headed back to the motel to get some rest before the BIG day! We stay at the Perry Lodge, which is a whole story by itself!

The 4th of JULY!!

The morning starts out with a few shots from the cannon at 6am to let everyone know that the day has started. Then the town hosts a 2 mile "fun run". Dave and I decided to run this year and guess what, we both took 1st in our age divisions! That was a first for me! Of course there were only 5 women in my age group of 40-49 year olds. In Dave's age bracket there was a whole page of names! Nevertheless the victory was sweet, even for me!

1st Place!

This is a long day to say the least, but very fun too. We start out pretty early. We have to get in line for the parade. So once we get there we have some time to hang out and wait for the start of the parade. It was really hot this year! Sometime I will remember to bring something to entertain us while we wait!

Lindsay loves sucking her thumb and twisting her hair with her other hand. She claims that she doesn't really suck it anymore, but it is such a habit...she does not even realize it is happening.

Those that can, bring bikes to ride in the parade. Some even get decorated!

Here is most (we are missing my sister's family the Wagner's) of the Hugh Family.
We (the Garners) are on the left.
Kent (my oldest brother) and his whole crew are next.
Then come Grandma & Grandpa Hugh (where it all started:)).
On the right is Karl (my other brother) and his family
with a cousin (Christy's nephew from Indiana).

Wow, my girls are getting taller. Next year I am sure that they will pass me up!

Grandma and Grandpa Hugh make this such a fun event! We hate missing out!

Lindsay and a couple of cousins.
Just waiting....

Samantha & Paige...more waiting!

Kent has his spot picked out and he stuck with it the whole time!

Karl explains the finer points of life to Dave...more waiting.

Jamie and I thought that Kent had a great idea...so we copied...more waiting!

Yeah!!! We finally get to go!

There is the big float!

We did win "Best Family" again this year!

We even had a little competition.

We had our own drum brigade!

Dave captured the parade from the street view.
I got to ride and capture from my comfy seat:)!

We went for a cool treat to Denny's Wigwam and a little shopping after the parade.

Later in the day it HAILED!!! It was CRAZY!

Then the weather cleared up and
we had a fun evening just eating and enjoying each other's company!

Dave and Samantha went shooting with a few others.
Aaron Jameson, who is in the Marines,
brought some of his guns and took a few out to check them out!

Uncle Kent, helping Samantha get the right feel!
Man that is a big gun.
It is probably good that I didn't go with them.

Of course we have to have the family "talent" show!

The fireworks were great! Lindsay wasn't even afraid this year!

Sparklers and our own fireworks ended the evening and
we were all thoroughly exhausted!