And this is the exact reason why I never have any good pictures of us, because someone (who cannot be named) has issues taking a normal picture without doing something weird! Bad babe!
The last few fourth of July weekends we have gone camping up in Heber to watching an AMAZING firework show. They shoot off the fireworks in the bottom of this valley and everyone that is watching them sits higher up on the mountainside on the baseball fields and stuff. So when they go off they seem like they are literally right in front of you and the sound just booms through the canyon. It's pretty amazing and anyone is very welcome to come with us next year! But this year the fireworks were cancelled due to the fact that half the state of AZ was on fire :( Despite missing the fireworks show this year, we still had a blast camping in Payson! On Saturday morning we made breakfast burritos in camp and then packed up to go hike down Box Canyon which is a really really fun water hike that has natural slides and cliff jumping. As we were hiking out the monsoon rolled in over the canyon walls and it was gorgeous!! I bet you wish I had pictures right about now... me too... but sometimes it's just more fun not taking pictures. But I googled box canyon and found this picture:
There now you can kinda feel like you were there... almost.
But we did hike down the salome jug canyon a few weeks ago and Devan managed to take some pictures on this hike! We had a blast and there were luckily no accidents to report!!
The Fourth of July is one of my most favorite holidays ever! It doesn't get any better then bbq's, family and fireworks. No presents, no stress, just family. And to make things even better... it's my Grandma PJ's birthday! What an amazing woman! She had such a strong love for her country that was apparent to everyone that knew her and you couldn't help but absorb some of the patriotism that she radiated. EVERY fourth of July we would bbq and swim at her house (which was DECKED OUT in red, white, and blue) and she would make us homemade ice cream :) I feel like I understood the importance of being an American at a very young age thanks to my grandparents. My Papa Althoff can talk for hours about all of his war stories and was very proud to serve his country.
THIS website gives a little tribute to my grandma and grandpa:
The couple had five children who P.J. often raised single-handedly while David was off on military duty. His 20 years of active service included 1,080 combat missions in Vietnam. During his second tour to Vietnam, he received the 1968 "Marine Aviator of the Year" award. He has flown 26 different types of aircraft, earned 76 medals, and was shot down four times. He's been inducted to the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame and the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame.
