4th of July Shenanigans

For the 4th this year we planned on going to the parade, having a few friends over for a BBQ, and doing a few fireworks at home. The parade was the only thing that went as planned. Atreyu and Cambria rode on the ward float and had a blast throwing candy.

The "few friends" that we originally planned on coming for the BBQ ended up being around 20 people. It was the plan but I was so glad to have so many people over and to be able to visit with everyone.

John and Kristina Olson invited us to go to his parents' house for fireworks that night. They had a huge group of people turn up and we got quite the firework show.

Almost every year I get caught up in the excitement and busyness of the day that I don't always focus on the real reason we celebrate the 4th of July. I am truly grateful for all the men and women who fought so hard for us to be able to live in a free country. I constantly take for granted the wonderful blessing it is to live in the United States but I can't imagine living anywhere else.