Friends, Family, Fireworks, and Freedom

I love the 4th of July!  I love everything it symbolizes.  Honor, faith in God, freedom, family, courage, perserverence, sacrifice, pioneer spirit, and endless possibilities for the hardworking...just to name a few.

I am so so proud to be an American.

I am so so grateful for all those brave souls who saw the vision of what this country could become for themselves and their posterity.  And fought for that dream.

I am so so grateful for the men and women who continue to fight today to keep those dreams alive.

How indepted we all are to them and our Father in Heaven above who prepared the way for this country to flourish and thrive.

That we may flourish and thrive.

And just like every year, my heart starts to swell the minute I look out my front windows and see this emblem waving majestically in the breeze.  Time to reflect and celebrate!

I woke up early and started the day with a beautiful, sunny run with my dear friend Sara.

I came home and smelled baking cinnamon rolls in the oven...which would eventually make their way up to a impromptu, but delicious 4th of July breakfast with our neighbors.  

And their adorable new puppy, Rusty.  

Which quickly turned into a bike derby and a high-flying tryout for the XGames.

Here is the drama shot from Trev's phone.  Pretty sweet right?!

This kid is seriously fearless I tell you.  Wowzers!

After the acrobatics were over we headed home and cleaned.  I know, BORING.  We cleaned our tails off for two reasons.  
1. We needed to finish our normal "Saturday Jobs" since we would be spending the next day swimming at Seven Peaks with family.
2. My sister, Kristy, and her son Caden were coming to visit for the weekend and they are both severely allergic to our dog, Daisy.

We cleaned, and cleaned, and had this place spic-and-span for their arrival.

Then we quickly slipped into our swimsuits and headed to Trev's mom's amazing pool where we spent the afternoon playing and watching my nephew overcome fear after fear.  So fun!  "It's amazing what a little ice cream bribery can do for a kid's confidence." (Mother's Book of Secrets, pg. 25)

The rest of the night was spent with the Annual Lighten Family BBQ and Fireworks Showdown at Trev's brothers' houses.  

Highlights included - glowsticks and popsicles, watching the Salt Lake skyline bursting with color, a Grand Finale that went arye, and a roman candle firing war between the men.  

(Only a few children were harmed in the making of this post)

It sure was a great day.

Sometimes, I wonder if way back in 1776, our honorable and inspired Founding Fathers knew what blessed and treasured lives their descendants would someday lead.  I wonder if we as their descendants truly realize how blessed we are because of them.

We stand on the shoulders of giants.

Hopefully, celebrating each year will help us to remember that.

May we never forget.

Happy 4th everyone and God bless!