I Love a Good Fireworks Show

I love a good fireworks show. I really do. Every year, there is a big one at Weber State University on the Sunday before the 24th. It is a crazy event with thousands of people putting down blankets all over the campus the day before. This year, we watched the fireworks from a grassy area across the street and still had to park several blocks away. That's how crazy it is. It was fun to go early in our pre-kid days and hang out on a blanket at the campus and see pretty much everyone we've ever known from Ogden milling about.

We got home from Bear Lake late last Saturday night. It was our third trip to Bear Lake in two weeks. This time, a family reunion with my parents. My dad bought a camp trailer this year, and my mom decked it out in a Mickey Mouse theme (super cute). We usually stay in a cabin near the lake, but, this year we camped out with the new trailer. Brian, the little kids, and I slept in our new tent and it was fun being under the stars.

I swore off camping for a few years. It just wasn't working for me with pregnancies, newborns, pre-schoolers who never slept through the night, etc. I wasn't sure if I would ever be into it again (sleeping on the ground just ain't what it use to be). But, it made me sad for my kids to miss out. I grew up camping all the time and some of my best childhood memories include exploring in the dirty mountains.

Brian bought some sort of pad for me to sleep on, and, although I was skeptical, I gave it a try. I am totally amazed that I slept soundly through the night and woke up without a single ache or pain anywhere! Even after two nights! Camping -- I'm back. I've missed sleeping outside.

We had three amazing days on the lake. North Beach was a crazy zoo (almost as crazy as the WSU fireworks). But, I didn't mind the crowds at all. The beach was lovely. The lake is so high this year. The water is beautiful. It was even quite warm. We cruised around on the boat and pulled all of the kids on the tube. Katie loved it most of all. She is such a little adrenaline junkie.

After three beautiful sun-filled days at the lake (and one amazing windstorm in the late afternoon of the last day), we returned home late Saturday night - happy and completely drained. But, that couldn't stop us from the fireworks show on Sunday. We snatched up my niece and nephew who are visiting from Arizona and Brian and I hauled all six kids to a grassy spot at the top of a very tall grassy hill (which, the kids rolled down and ran up about 100 times). When it got dark, I busted out the packages of glow bracelets that we've been saving ever since we forgot to use them at Disneyland. The kids had a riot seeing how huge of loops they could make by connecting them all together and throwing them like giant glowing frisbees through the air.

Then the show started. And, although it was short, it did not disappoint. Some of those fireworks were so enormous, they seemed to fill the whole sky. I love the new colors they come out with each year. Remember when we were kids and they tried to spread them out? So, it was like one firework . . . wait five minutes . . . then, one more. Until, the grand finale (which was the only part worth watching anyways). Then, people finally got smart and made the whole show into one short, sweet grand finale. So much better this way.

Fireworks are so romantic.

(my kids with their cousins wearing the m&ms shirts my mom bought them)

We didn't get to bed until almost midnight, but, I still think it was worth it. On Wednesday, my mom and I took my kids and my brother's kids to Dinosaur Park.
And, on Thursday, we went to Lagoon. It was a really big day in Nicholson history. You must know that my kids are big scaredy cats when it comes to rides. I use to think, "It's fine. Just let them be kids and they will ride the big rides when they are ready." But, now it's getting a little ridiculous. So, Brian and I were giving them a lot of pressure to try something a little more daring than "Puff the Little Fire Dragon" this time.

It took a lot of coaxing, but, Sophie finally rode Bombora - the new roller coaster. Incidentally, Katie is just barely tall enough to ride this roller coaster too. She was adorable. The whole time we were standing in line she would have a huge smile on her face and repeat over and over, "This is fun!" Then, the whole time we were riding, she would look really scared and say, "This is scary." Then, as soon as the lap bars were released at the end of the ride she would say, "This is fun!" And, "Again, again!" What a character!

So, maybe Bombora isn't the biggest thrill ride in the park given that our two-year-old enjoys it. But, it was a big step for Sophie and I am proud of her.

Isaac would pretty much go on anything and everything he was tall enough to ride. This included the Wild Mouse (he was a little too short, but, the guy was being nice). He was laughing his head off each time we whipped around those sharp turns that were scaring the pants off of me. What an adventurous little man.

The biggest event was that Ian rode Colossus! First it was Bombora, then, The Bat, then, he graduated to the Wild Mouse and after anxiously considering it for most of the day, he took the leap and rode Colossus. I was so proud of him! Do you remember the first time you rode Colossus? I totally do. It was a huge deal (and, I was about his age).

He's thinking about riding Wicked next time.

What a stud.

Isaac and Izzy wanted to ride the Music Express. They needed to be accompanied by an adult and no one in our group would step up. Finally, I decided I would do it. I haven't ridden that ride in years because rides like that started making me throw up about 15-years ago. I was really nervous that I would get sick, but, guess what? I didn't! It was so fun!!! We even did it twice. Then, I started to wonder if I was over motion sickness. I decided to ride the Centennial Screamer just to see. Brian and I were going to take Izzy and Isaac, but the Nazi ride worker wouldn't let the kids on because they were barely under the height requirement.

She probably saved me from barfing, so I should be grateful.

(Music Express)

Friday we went to Bountiful for their Handcart Days Parade. Brian is running a marathon Monday morning and I'm sorry but I'm not taking four kids to a parade by myself. Brian's parents set up chairs early in the morning, so we had a perfect spot in the shade. Ahhhh . . . We were planning to stay for the fireworks show that night. But, sometimes you just have to draw the line on late nights with the kids.

(I was sad to miss it)




It has been a really fun week with my kids and I'm grateful we've had this time to spend together. I miss my stay-at-home mom days when we could have these adventures all the time, but, I also feel like working is the right thing for me and my family right now.

Let's see . . . fireworks show? Check. Parade? Check. I guess on Monday, we can sleep in!

Happy Pioneer Day!