Celebrating on the 4th of July

The 4th of July is a special day filled with fireworks, BBQ's, parades, and family. I love this wonderful summer holiday, but not just because of those things mentioned above. I love this beautiful country that I live in. I love having the freedoms that I have. Heavenly Father made it possible for this land to be free in the sense that His church would be free to be established. Sadly, I think many people mistake their freedom as a way to misuse their bodies and mistreat others. This land was established so that we would be able to enjoy the freedom of obedience. To follow God's will. I feel so blessed to live in the United States of America, where I can have joy through living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you to all those men and women who fought for our liberties in the past, who fight now, and who will fight in the future to maintain freedom for my children. God bless the U.S.A.

Jared's brother, Dusty, and his wife, Megann, always save a spot on the parade route and we usually join them every year. This year, I got to have my sister, Rebekah, and her two little girls, Baili and Kristen, join us as well. They are on their way down to our Weber family reunion in Utah this weekend and stayed with us along their way from Washington. I just love when my family comes to visit!

Jordyn,Jared, Eli, Courtney, and Rebekah watching the parade go by.

The kids managed to get a spot right on the road for the last part of the parade. They were always cheering when they saw the "Princesses" go by. I love it when the school bands go by. They also got to do the chicken dance with Jared. He jumped right up and led all the kids in the chicken dance right in front of everyone. Good Man!

After the parade, we walked back to Dusty and Megann's house and enjoyed a delicious BBQ. Dusty and Megann are always great about hosting lunch afterwards, and we all reap the benefits.

Eli, Lainey, Lexie, and Kristen hamming it up for the camera

Huh? Dusty hamming it up for the camera? Or, the pirate side of him is just bursting through while he cooks the chicken. Either way, it was fantastic food and fantastic company!

 Ohhhh...sistas!

(I don't know what I am doing with my hand...weirdo!)

After the parade and bbq, we went home to rest and relax for a while. Then my sister's, Sharon and Shavonne, came over for a bbq at our house. Hey, you can never have enough bbq's!

Afterwards, we decided to go to Jensen's Grove to swim and enjoy the fireworks show that they do over the water. The kids just ran right in even though I thought they would be slow due to the water being cold, but they were completely gun hoe and jumped right in!


(We do feed Eli even though he does look like a skeleton there!)

The Boy Scouts of America retire our GRAND OLE FLAG!

 Eli wasn't wet above his waist and I think Kenzie told him to pour a bucket of water over his head. I don't think he anticipated the coldness of the water.

 There was a hill behind us that the kids enjoyed sliding down, rolling down, and penguining down. What do I mean by penguining down? Well, the kids got on their tummies and slid down face first just like you see penguins do. It was hilarious. Rebekah's little girl, Kristen, did it the best. You should go to her blog and see how funny it was. She has video. Anyways, Jordyn really liked to climb the hill.

 At the top of the hill.

Alexis, Jared, Jordyn, Kristen, Mackenzie, Eli, Baili, Rebekah, and Courtney

 Once the sun began to set, we got ready to do our own fireworks before the show.

 Jordyn was fascinated by the sparklers.

 All of us watching the fireworks shoot off. It was so fun. I had a blast this 4th of July.

I am proud to be and American, where at least I know I'm free, and I won't forget the men who died to make the country free!