Ain't No Fourth of July like a Huntington Fourth of July

There is nowhere else to be on the 4th of July than Huntington Beach. It is the be all, end all of Independence Day. I really think the city of Huntington Beach exists solely for the purpose of Independence Day. I was so enamored with HB the first year we lived there when July came and everyone decorated their houses for the holiday like it was Christmas. People go crazy decorating their bikes, strollers, and bodies. It is so awesome. Seriously, before you die, you have to be in HB for the Fourth. There's no where else to be.

Since everyone knows HB is where it's at on the Fourth it is crazy town down there. Normally we ride our bikes everywhere that day but since we actually had to drive there this year, the Morphy's came to the rescue and saved us a spot behind their garage. Bless their hearts. They saved our lives. Love them. Honestly, people start moving their cars down there the day before just to get a parking spot. Told you, CRAZY TOWN. It's so cool. We loved walking down to the parade with the Morphys and Preston said he decided he wants a daughter after holding cute Emmy's hand.

Our old ward, HB 7th, takes the Fourth very seriously and every year the Hixsons (who we love more than life,) have a bomb bbq at their house right on the parade route on Main Street. It's seriously the highlight of our year. We were so glad to be there for the last bbq at the Hixsons since they're moving to Utah :( We loved seeing all of our old friends and it was so fun bringing the boys. They were pretty overwhelmed with the parade, noise, people (and drunks!) so they were the quietest I've ever seen them. Kinda funny.

This is a picture of our whole gang at the bbq. Johnny Beutler from our old ward took it from the float he was on in the parade! (You can see me and Dex under the blue tent on the left side.)

On top of getting to see all of our good friends that morning, we got to see our fam too! Damon and Shannon and the kids were in Newport so hightailed it there right after the parade to play on the beach with them. Can I just tell you how much I love having brothers and sisters and niece and nephews now? It's the best. I love that we're close enough to almost all (minus the Utah Rosenhans!) of Preston's siblings that it feels like we get to see them all the time. I love that the boys have cousins...and cousins that are old enough to take care of them for me ;)

This was the boys' first time at the beach! Neither of the boys had napped all day and it was slightly cold but I think, overall, they were fans. Davis really loved the sand. We had the best time hanging out and eating tacos on the beach. The day was officially perfect.