We love Independence Day!

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Every year our small town of Moapa Valley holds wonderful traditions honoring Independence Day. I've lived in Moapa Valley for the past 22 years and I don't think I have missed one year of fun. The valley starts the morning off with a flag raising by local Veterans and the local scout troops. This is such a special and solemn event. Our biggest little love is now in cub scouts and has been able to participate in the flag raising the past couple of years. I love watching him with the veterans and watching him learn from those special individuals that have served this great nation. Thank you to those that served our country that are reading this blog. 💙
He wanted to decorate his trailer too! 
Following the flag raising is a {free} community breakfast served and prepared for by the local Moapa Valley Rotary club. This is a special group of individuals who do so much behind the scenes for our valley. I have enjoyed speaking to them on many occasions for 4-H and helping at a variety of service events. These folks really are something neat! The breakfast is delicious and is so fun to see so many local community members. After breakfast the real action begins, especially if you have kids (or a kid at heart)!  Local community members take the time to arrange a fun bike parade for the youth of this valley. They didn't do this event when I was growing up but I am so thankful they added it now that I've got these little loves. We spent the day before the event decorating the boys bikes with items found at Target. I seriously love that store! I don't make it there too often due to the distance but we had fun finding these items (and more) while we were there last. The fun is still going after the {adorable} bike parade filled with kids of all ages displaying their festive bikes/strollers/wagons.

The big little love is proud of his bike and patriot spirit.
Watermelon eating contests are always a fun addition to the days festivities! The Big Love got in the action of this contest but definitely didn't win. He then complained about a belly ache the rest of the day, but that's neither here nor there! 😶 "Back in my day" or rather when I was growing up after the breakfast activities they actually did a candy drop which included candy being dropped from a small airplane. The 4th of July committee and local Parks and Rec has since changed this and instead spreads out so much candy across fields for kids of all ages. I don't think any kid went home without candy! They are so generous and so wonderful to our youth! After the candy drop is the fun water fight! Our local volunteer firefighters come with their fire trucks and drench the kids (and adults) that are ready to be cooled off! Once the kids have been cooled off and are officially cranky tired, we head home to stay out of the heat and rest up for the evening activities.

The parental loves with the middle love. So much family traditions.
"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.”  – Abraham Lincoln
It was great spending the morning with the Big Love's Step-Grandpa. He is such a special man. Don't mind the messy outfit of mine, I went to the local High Fitness for the holiday and had so much fun! Those ladies kick my butt but I sure appreciate them! 
The evening activities don't slow down much to say the least. The evening starts of with the flag being lowered by the local Veterans. Followed by a delicious dinner that is also free and served by local community members. The past three years we have been asked to serve and clean it up with 4-H and it is my favorite. I love seeing the members of the community and serve them. We weren't asked this year so my loves and I got to enjoy the dinner and fine company. From there the community has many talented members display their talents while we wait for the fireworks show.
This year was especially special to me because I had been called a few days before the holiday to ensure I was going to be at the evening's event. I said I will be there and the person on the phone told me, "Good, you have to be there by 8:30 pm." And that was it. I didn't have much more information other than I needed to be there and that the Big Love knew it and had strict orders to deliver me to the stage?!. 
After dinner and the "show" of talent my husband did just that, he delivered me to the stage at 8:29 pm. From there the wonderful committee members started an award ceremony honoring community members. This was so sweet to be thought of in that regard. I received the Spirit of Moapa Valley Award, 2019.  Receiving this award or to be even thought of in that regard was the most special way to be honored for. We live in such a wonderful valley with many amazing people who I could think of that deserves this award. I appreciate those that nominated me and the committee for even considering me. I seriously love this valley and have so much pride for it and the people within. 💛💙 Here is a sweet article done by one of our local newspaper reporters Moapa Valley Progress

The award that I was given. Seriously so blessed. 




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