Let me catch my breath because it was a hot, fun, and memorable Fourth of July weekend. In fact, I am sure it packed more energy than even the craziest fireworks package you spent way too much money on. So, if you are interested, let me roll back the past four days for the Reser Fam…

We had an awesome Fourth of July weekend. This photo was taken inside River Park Square in Spokane as we made our way to Riverfront Park on July 4, 2024.

Explosive July 4 – I think it was the busiest Fourth of July I have ever been part of. We woke up on Thursday morning and drove out to Coeur d’Alene for the community’s Fourth of July parade. It was the first Independence Day parade I have ever witnessed in-person and it didn’t disappoint as it put us in an authentic red, white, and blue spirit for the rest of the day. We then left Idaho and drove back to Spokane where we visited Riverfront Park. A traveling carnival had set up shop near the Looff Carrousel that extended to the red wagon playground. I cringed at the ticket ride prices but because it was a holiday I allowed Sloan and Beau to have fun on several of the attractions.

We spent the Fourth of July morning at a parade and a carnival.

From Riverfront Park we headed out to my parents’ house in north Spokane for a Fourth of July cookout. In addition to my siblings and their families in attendance, our friends, Dylan and Fidela, also joined us. It was such a good vibe as we enjoyed each other’s company and celebrated America’s birthday the right way. After the cookout we drove to Pavillion Park for fireworks. We re-joined Dylan and Fidela and ate freeze pops as we waited for the show. At a little before 10 p.m. the pyrotechnic arrangement started as brilliant colors and effects filled the sky. The perfect way to cap an amazing Fourth of July!

Our Fourth of July afternoon/evening was a lot of fun. We had a cookout at my parents’ house and then we headed to Pavillion Park for fireworks.

Chill July 5 – Needing to recover just a bit after a jam-packed Fourth of July, we took it pretty easy. Our main event was spending the late morning/early afternoon at the Southside Aquatic Center. This place is our favorite pool/water park in our region and we enjoyed taking a few hours to just splash in the water and go down some slides. After we finished up we cooled off with a round of Italian sodas.

We spent time at the Southside Aquatic Center on July 5.

Wet July 6 – I have written before about the sparkling pool oasis owned by Ms. Kathy, the longtime next door neighbor of my parents. Well, on Saturday, we had her entire pool to ourselves as we visited for our own private swim session. Sloan had a blast jumping off the diving board and flying down the slide while Beau played with toys on the pool steps. We later ventured to Q’emlin State Park in Post Falls, Idaho. This beach area was great for the whole family. Sloan swam in the water, Beau built sand castles, I sipped refreshing beverages, and Sid relaxed in her beach chair. Afterwards we had a family dinner at Red Robin.

Our Saturday of the Fourth of July weekend was spent at a private pool and Q’emlin State Park.

Restful July 7 – After three days of sun, fun, and water, we tried to take it easy for the final day of our Fourth of July weekend. We attended our usual 9 a.m. mass at St. Mary and then came home and watched “Back to the Future.” I then took the kids to Browns Park where they had too much fun with the splash pad. They made friends with some other children and made a game out of soaking themselves and then zooming down the slides “slip ‘n slide” style. We then capped the night off with grilled burgers.

The kids playing at the Browns Park splash pad in Spokane Valley on Sunday night.

——————

I would say we had an all-American Fourth of July weekend. Thanks to my children and wife for going on such a fun four-day ride with me. Let the summer continue! Don’t Blink.