Spectacular 4th of July!!

I have loved the 4th of July since I was little.  My dad would play his cornet as we would "raise" the flag.  Neighbors would come out of their homes and place their hand over their heart.  My dad and aunt Ruth would go down very early (5 am) and set out chairs and save our spot for the BIG Provo 4th of July parade.  Around 7-ish my dad would come home - raise the flag - and then take me, Alan and my cousin Margaret back to save the chairs until parade time.  Afterwards, we'd have a BBQ and some water play (basically running through the sprinklers).  Then off to the carnival we'd go.  Later we'd all watch fireworks together.  I never realized, until I tried to do all these things with my kids, how incredibly tired my parents must have been at the end of that day!!  But ohhhhh what great memories!!

I love the patriotic music at this time of year.  My dad had an awesome reel to reel stereo.  On the reel tape he had recorded all kinds of patriotic music from the Tabernacle Choir singing the 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' to John Phillip Sousa's 'Stars and Stripes Forever'.   The 4th of July reminds me of my dad, mostly.  Mom's birthday was July 3rd so we'd have a big party for her.  Dad loved the 4th.  He was very patriotic - loved this country.  He rarely spoke of his time serving in the Navy during WWII.  War was a difficult thing especially for a man as kind as my dad.  He did, however, have a great sense of pride for his service and for the military.  I can't help but think how proud he would be of his son and his grandsons (in laws included) for their military service. He was proud of this country.

I love celebrating the 4th of July.  However, last year was a little solemn.  I had found out the day before that I had cancer.  Utah was in a blaze of wildfires and all fireworks state wide were banned.  We did, however, go to the Oakley Rodeo with Jenni and her family. 

We started out a little quiet this year...  but then YaHOO - the fun started!!  We had a big BBQ and  FIREWORKS!!  Randy, Annie and kids; Jenni, Lynn and kids; Pam, Cale, Cat and Dan - all came for the fun!  

And fun we had!!  

Scott's patriotic cake

BBQ fun with Pam, Cat, Dan and Cale

Lennon and Lynn

Hank, Colby, Max (hidden) Annie, Dan, Scott 

Cale, Pam, Cat, Jenni and Dyson

A little ball playing before fireworks

Sparkler time with Randy supervising

Max decided to dance with his sparklers

More sparklers

Hank's sparkler was RED but I'm late on the picture

Sitting on the curb before fireworks

They each took turns choosing which firework to ignite

Sam started out on the curb but ended up on the blanket with his mom.
 He didn't like the loud noise of the fireworks

Hank was right there with Lynn and Dyson to light the fireworks

Everyone had a great time!
  Next BIG family outing is July 26, 27 and 28th at the cabin!  Jenni and Randy and their families are coming up for a weekend of 4 wheeling fun, smores and more!!  If I could just get Rusty and his family along with Rick and Anna to come.......

Happy July!!