Happy 4th!!!

I hope everyone had an amazing 4th of July. John, Matt and I went with Kendall & Andi to "The Taste of MN." Basically the best vendors in the state come together for a week long celebration of the 4th. We ate ourselves sick! First we started with fried cheese curds, which might possibly be my favorite thing about MN! They were delicious! Then we had "dinner" which consisted of roasted corn on the cob, a corn dog and bratwurst. Next was the "spiral spuds." It's a whole potatoe that they cut in a very thin spiral, deep fry (of course), and top with seasoning etc. For dessert I got a waffle cone of ice cream and John had a bag of mini-doughnuts. I was hoping to squeeze in deep fried cheesecake, but my stomach just couldn't handle it.

Our plan went off perfectly. We arrived at the "fair" in St. Paul around 4:00 and staked out a place to sit near the stage that had live bands & faced our chairs over the city skyline where the fireworks would be. By night fall the place was PACKED. The fireworks were great and corresponded with the music in the background. I couldn't help but think of all the different type of people around that were watching the fireworks together. The different economic classes & family dynamics that sat together and focused on our country as patriotic songs played in the background and fireworks lit up the sky.

Now, I'm not and don't claim to be someone "in the know" about politics. I don't have near the passion for them as many close to me do, but I have to say this particular year has enough drama to capture every one's attention. I thought about this upcoming presidential election and the direction America will go as I watched the fireworks. I have to admit this is the first time I've not really been thrilled with any of the candidates. I was still filled with that overwhelming pride to be an American that gets a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes, but in the back of my mind I was thinking about our candidates. I was thinking about the future of our nation & for the first 4th of July in my life I had concern for our future. I wasn't overwhelmed with this invincible American high like nothing could ever happen to our nation. I think it was a little of everything...the oil prices and economic issues combined with the fact that we are at war with a presidential election around the corner. This 4th was heaver than before....another wonderful part about adulthood I guess! :) I'll just say this and shut up.....I laughed out loud at all the Obama shirts I saw. Let's just say they were not your typical Presidential t-shirts. My favorite was an all black one with Obama's face in silver metallic & the words Hope & Change written in graffiti font. It reminded me of a 2-pac shirt I've seen before. I'm not going to get on a soap box here, but it's amazing to me how far he's gotten with the words "change & hope." Apparently that's all you need to become a candidate for the most powerful nation in the world. Calm down...I'm done.

Overall this has been a great weekend & the highlight was by far our trip to St. Paul. It's been an amazing summer and I have no complaints about the weather! I'm looking forward to more cook outs and fun times with friends. I hope summer never ends!!!



I have a firework setting on my new camera!

Yum! More fatty food!

The whole gang ready to claim our spot!