Red, White, and Boom...plus a little more.

On our last night before everyone left, Cory and Ryan got an itch for fireworks. Growing up in Sugar Land, Texas, we could never set off our own personal fireworks, but in Spartanburg you can buy and set off any you want! So cool.  After spending over $100 between the two bros, we set off around the block from our home. Jason, the expert, gave us the crash course on Fire Works 101, and we had a "blast!" 

My mom was brave enough to try ONE firework!

Well, after a sad goodbye to my mom, Ryan, and Cory (who is leaving for a 2 year mission in Cordoba, Argentina in a couple of weeks), my lovely sister, Devin, was able to stay with us for a few extra days.  She was such a blessing to have around. She worked really hard, except when it was time to set up the closet.  I didn't realize how much she disliked putting clothes away. Funny, funny.  Oh well.  While she was here, we got to spend the 4th of July together. Devin did some research and found out that Spartanburg had a fireworks show and carnival type thing called Red, White, and Boom.  We went to the store and got some chicken salad sandwiches and fruit for a fun picnic. We headed to the venue and found out that we couldn't have picnics inside of the park. Bummer! So we had a picnic in the parking lot of a church. :) Fun times!

When we got inside the park,we set out our picnic blanket.  There was live music and, drum roll, please... SNOW CONES!! I love snow cones, so, of course, I got my usual coconut flavored one. Yum, yum! The evening was so entertaining.  Not only was the music fun, but the people were the best to people-watch.  Interesting folk out here in Spartanburg....Devin did find a cutie, and the rest of the evening she was bent on getting his attention. Ha!

Once the sun went down, the fireworks show began! I have to say that we picked one of the best places to sit. The fireworks were beautiful.  Towards the end of the show, the fireworks were slowing down, and Devin and I were sad, thinking that there wasn't going to be a Grand Finale...but, boy, were we wrong! The Grand Finale went on FOR-E-VER. It was great! I tried to get some of the fireworks....

The Fourth of July was a little different than what we are used to. We missed the home made icecream and cherries, but we made it fun here in Spartanburg.

On our last evening here with Devin we decided to drive into Greenville.  It was such a cute city! We had dinner at a place called Trio. We had some yummy pizza, calzones, and roasted chicken.  We will definately go back there again.  After that we decided to hit up a fun cupcake shop named Chocolate Moose.  It was a sweet ending to a wonderful visit.  We loved having Devin here with us. We love you!