4th of July

Happy 4th of July.  My dad always says "Happy Independence Day!"  I think he does it so we remember what the day is actually about.  We try to stress to our kids what this day is about.  Hopefully one day, it will actually stick.

Until that day happens we continue to use the 4th as a day to celebrate, relax, eat lots of food and have lots of fun with family and friends.  This year wasn't any different.  What's the 4th without a flag cake!

We went up to Mortensen Manor early on the 4th to start the day off with crepes and blue waffles.  The kids loved the toppings choice of peaches, syrup, ice cream or whip cream.  After breakfast and doing a few chores (gathering eggs from the barn and hosing down the pool furniture) they got to go with Uncle Brent to pick out fireworks for later.  They had a blast.

Swimming, eating, talking and running around the back yard filled the rest of the afternoon/evening.  We got to see the new chickens and could even hold them.  We played with sparklers and smoke bombs.  After it got dark we let the real (legal) fireworks go.  We hummed a terrible rendition of Stars and Stripes while the explosions were happening.  After that was over the kids burst into the national anthem, but then starting screaming and ran behind a fence when the fireworks made to much noise.

All and all a grand night.  We are so fortunate to live in this great land where we enjoy so much.  We feel so blessed.  We hope to never take it for granted.