Pioneer Day/Pie and Beer Day

I am trying to post semi-often since we are not using Facebook much for baby pictures. We know there are a lot of wonderful people out there who love our baby and want to see her grow up but living far away makes it difficult.

Eating knuckles is her new thing

This past weekend was a big one for Utah. They go all out on celebrating the Mormon pioneer heritage. I have never lived in a state that is so into celebrating it's past. I mean, this stuff is as big or bigger than the 4th of July in most places. There are events periodically throughout the summer for "Days of '47" culminating with July 24, which is Pioneer Day. It marks the day Mormon Pioneers arrived here, July 24 1847. This year we checked out the local parade. I don't have a lot to compare it with, other than Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. It wasn't to that scale by any means (where is the giant floating snoopy?) but some people camped out for TWO nights to get front row seats. That evening there were lots of fireworks. We skipped out on that bit to go to bed. Most native Utahns really love all the celebrations and are so proud of this holiday. There is also the counter-cultural Utah holiday called "Pie and Beer Day" for those who aren't so into the pioneer spirit. We like the enjoy a little bit of both.

This year Davis got off work a little early and we went for a hike up in the Uintas. So our Pioneer/Pie-and-Beer day consisted of the parade (for me and Eden), a hike, and some delicious pies and beverages with friends. Perfect for us!

Fehr Lake

Adventure pup admiring flowers

Adventure babe resting by Shepherd Lake

Sunshine in our eyes!

On Saturday we ran errands and had a date night! A dear friend of ours watched Eden for a couple hours while we went for dinner. It's strange how just two and half months ago, we could go out for dinner whenever we pleased just the two of us. Life is more complicated with the added baby but we definitely would not change it. It has definitely expanded our joy, especially in the little mundane moments that once past unnoticed.

pie and beer day

I imagine most states have some sort of holiday significant to them... or maybe they don't since I've never really heard of many state holidays. But Utah has it's own state holiday and it is taken quite seriously. In fact, it's right on par with Independence Day celebrations in Utah, though you could argue Pioneer day has better fireworks. Pioneer Day is celebrated in Utah every year on July 24. It signifies the day B. Young brought the Mormon pioneers into Salt Lake Valley in 1847 and proclaimed "this is the place". And it's not just any old pioneer day since lots of different folks were pioneers, this is really in honor of the first Mormons making the trek to Utah in search of religious freedom and etc.

However, there is a portion of the population happy to have a day off work but does not fit into the pioneer and/or Mormon category. Davis and I fit neither. So what are we to do? We had our time to celebrate freedom on the 4th of July. So, all of us non-pioneer day residents celebrate Pie and Beer Day. It is definitely not meant to stir up strife or create negative feelings, we just want something to celebrate too. On Wednesdays we usually have small group anyway, so this week the theme was pie and beer.

peach pie

quiche

a fourth of the beer selection

There was a great turn out. We had quite a selection of beer, way more than we needed. We also had several dessert pies, a cheese cake, three quiches, and two types of pizza pie. We sat on the warm front porch talking and celebrating with our food and beverage. When the sun set, the fireworks started. A few people brought a variety of fireworks to enjoy. So we set those off on our street. Our neighbors came out to enjoy them as well. Ingrid did not enjoy the fireworks at all. She hid under the bed inside most of that part of the evening. She did enjoy all the plate licking earlier though.

these look like we are casting spells
in harry potter :)

she refused to enjoy the fireworks but wore a festive glow stick

When the city's fireworks started, we walked down a couple blocks where there is a large hill and less trees with our friends and a few of the neighbors. We had a great view of the Salt Lake valley and all across town fire works where going off over the lights of the city. The best, biggest and the brightest were coming from Liberty Park which are the official city display.

happy pie and beer day!

We live in a area where a fair amount of people were opting to celebrate pie and beer day. After the grand finale, we all hoorayed together for pie and beer day and went back to our own celebrations. Over all, it was a successful and fun first pioneer/pie and beer day for us.