Saturday, July 5, 2008

Let Freedom Ring!

We love the Fourth of July!


This is how we spent the day...
We rode our bike to the park for a picnic. (there were five bloggers there and none of us took a picture!)

After the picnic we rode our bikes to the parade.

The Parade

The Guys


The Girls



The Kiddies


After the parade we took a much need rest.

Then we headed over to the Sampson's for a BBQ and a "camp out". We started the festivities as only you can in our state.... with POP ITS and ROCKET STREAMERS!

The Dads handled the grill...

(notice the football cradled in Aric's arms, now that is called multi-tasking man-style)


Aric and Mike playing catch.


Mike killing the ants with his mini air compressor.

Setting up camp...with lots of helpers.

S'mores for dessert of course!

Edee playin' catch with Aric.
(She can actually throw a spiral!)

After the fun we watched the fireworks and then headed back so the kids could get to sleep. Aric and Mike slept (sorta) in the tent with the kids, while Amy and I were cozy in our beds.


We had a GREAT fourth of July!

I recognize that all the freedoms that my family and I enjoy have come at a price....and still do. I am so grateful to have been born in the United States. The rights and privileges that I experience on a daily basis are not the norm throughout the world. The opportunity that I have to raise my children in relative peace and safety is such a blessing. I am so glad that we have a day that we get to celebrate our freedom and teach our children why we have it, so they won't take it for granted.


My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.

Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims pride, from every mountain side, let freedom ring!

13 comments:

Lindsey said...

looks like SOOOOOOOOO much fun. Ours was.. .well, boring. However, we did go to a BBQ at some new LDS neighbors house! She is SUPER crafty, so I think we will get along great! :)

AMY said...

The kids did have a great time, didn't they? Camping Out was a fun idea, however, I'm glad we were comfy indoors. The food was great, the s'mores were the best. Wish the fireworks were longer.

Thanks for sending me pics.

Melissa-Mc said...

Looks like you had a PARTY of a 4th of July :)

Meghann said...

I sure wish you hadn't posted a picture of those smores. They look soooo yummy.

(smores are a HUGE weakness of mine. It's the only way Adam can entice me to go camping.)

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a very fun 4th! Ours was well...hot (and fun, just not that fun:)). THe last part of your post was very well said. I appreciated it!

Melissa said...

okay, you guys have the cutest family, the cutest couples to hand out with, and the cutest little area to live it! Seriously! What a lucky fun family you have!

Cynthia said...

I cry (and I'm not a cryier) everytime we sing My Country Tis of Thee in church. Glad you included it here too.

Alison said...

Looks like SOOO much fun! I love fourth of July!

Rachel's Journal Pages said...

It's so great to see such fabulous photos with sunshine and t-shirts. It's the dead of winter over here (Australia) and I love looking through blogs with summery fun pics in them.

Erin said...

That looks like so much fun! Everyone was dressed so festively too! :)

Ilene said...

I'm crying because I wasn't there. You girls are still so stinkin' cute!

"Intentionally Katie" said...

I just stumbled onto your blog and have to know...HOW do you combine your pictures in a four-block like that? It looks like blogspot recognizes it as one picture. If you're willing to share, my email is ktksu@yahoo.com. Thanks and CUTE family!!!

Lauren in GA said...

My husband would be so impressed that little Edee can throw a spiral!

I love the pictures. :)

I love the Fourth of July, too. It really is amazing all of the freedoms we enjoy in this country. I really feel blessed and need to remember them always.