Independence Day

This year we kept the 4th pretty simple (seems to be a common theme around here)...Jamba Juice for breakfast, the traditional homemade ice cream and BBQ salmon, and it wouldn't be the 4th without listening to Dale's Patriotic medley.  Nothing puts me in the spirit of Independence Day like hearing him play that song! 

We went to Riverton park to check out the kid's carnival and games...it was scorching.  We only stayed a few minutes and we were practically melting, so we beat the heat by hiding out in our incredible ice box basement apartment for the rest of the afternoon.  That night we went back to Riverton park and found our firework watching spot and played games and blew bubbles until we were blue in the face.  Then Trey made an awesome friend with an even more awesome toy...a bubble gun.  Who knew such genious toys existed?  Trey was a bubble poppin machine until all of the kids within a 50 yard radius tried to get in on the action.  Where were these kids parents while their children were shovin our toddlers out of the way and gettin up in Dale's face?  Mayhem I tell you.  It was brutal.  Finally the fireworks were about to start and the other parents came and collected their children. 

I thought for sure the fireworks would be a huge hit with Trey this year, but not so much.  He yelled "Whoa!" for the first 10 minutes which completely entertained the older couple next to us, but he was done after that.  He just wanted to socialize with the neighbors and talk about the latest episodes of "Dudu Why" and "Emo" with everyone.

Loved spending the 4th with these handsome fellows! :) 

4th of July

The weeks are flying by!  Here's a look back at our 4th of July.  

Our failed attempt at getting a family pic. in the car :)

Trey enjoying his delicious french fries.

Waiting for the fireworks at Riverton Park!

More french fries...yum!

Trey lasted for about 10 minutes watching fireworks.  Then he made a friend with the baby next to us.  They shared their toys and babbled through the show.  Trey was one tired boy by the end of the night!

Healing Field

For the last 10 years there has been a "Healing Field" in Sandy Utah.  I had no idea it even existed until one of my Visiting Teachers told me she and her family visited it for FHE.  I was intrigued, so I made Dale go with me that very same day.  It's a field full of flags that represent those who died during the September 11th terrorist attacks.  It's an amazing sight.  On each flag is a short synopsis of who each individual was, or what they did.  The field had such a peaceful spirit about it.  In my eyes it exemplifies patriotism.

The Healing Field

These cards had the stories on the other side.

Dale reading to Trey

Remembering

There are so many events I am behind with posting, but they can wait for one more day. Today I just want to remember.
Somebody somewhere once stated wisely, "Freedom isn't Free." I don't think I fully understood this statement until 10 years ago when I was in the midst of watching my dad pull out of the driveway to begin his first tour of duty in the Middle East. I think I understood it a little more shortly after that day as I watched America be attacked on September 11, 2001. And, I think I understand it even better today, on the 10 year anniversary of those attacks, as once again my dad is serving our country as an American Soldier. I think of him as he proudly hangs the American flag over his bed in Iraq, and as he wears his uniform in the 110 degree heat with honor. I think of him as he spends months away from his family in a foreign land. I think of him as he laces up his boots willingly. Why does he do all this? He serves today because "Freedom isn't Free."

Get off the Bus!

Every year I read my class a book called, "Piper Reed: Navy Brat". The little girl in the story has a dad who is in the Navy and they have to move around a lot. Piper's goal is to spread the phrase "Get off the Bus" to all 50 states. It's her fancy way of saying, "No Way!" When I read it to my class I have them count how many times she says it in the book. They get a kick out of it :).

I'm not really sure why I like this book so much- maybe because my dad has been in the Army my whole life...guess I feel some sort of connection to Piper :).

I've been thinking a lot about the military lately. Probably because we just said goodbye to my dad and brother, who are both being deployed to Iraq for a year.

My dad and brother

This isn't the first time they've been over that way. The last time my dad was there I was a Senior in High School. It's been almost 10 years- now it's my little sister who is the Senior in High School. My little brother served in Iraq around 4 years ago...before he was married and had 2 little kids.

Jared and his sweet wife Amanda and darling kids Brodie and Brooke

I love this pic! Jared and Brodie :)

The week before they left our entire family got together for a BBQ. We talked, reminisced and laughed until we cried, remembering the crazy adventures we've had as a family...like the time we were cutting down our Christmas tree and our van almost got swept away in an icy river...or the time we went canoeing and almost went careening down a raging river of death :). Good times!

It was a bittersweet weekend. I loved that we were were all there together, but hated that we were there to say goodbye. I don't think any of us wanted to see the night end. I am grateful for my wonderful family! Thanks for serving Dad and Jared! I love you both!

July 4th: Let Freedom Ring!

I've always been a huge fan of the 4th of July...what's not to love? Fireworks, family, friends, watermelon, parades, soaking up the sun (most years :). But for the past few years the 4th of July has meant much more to me than all this. It holds a special place in my heart. This year I kept thinking about the summer my dad went to Kuwait with the Army. He stayed with us on the 4th just long enough to watch the fireworks and say a few goodbyes, and then he left to serve our country for 7 months. He was in an Arabic Nation on 9-11, and continued to serve us willingly. I have really come to love that quote, "Freedom Isn't Free." I've seen firsthand, first with my dad and then again with my younger brother, that our freedoms haven't come without a price...whether it's through blood and trauma or simply time away from home, it's a sacrifice I'll be forever grateful these men and women willingly take.



Getting ready to go to Riverton Days :)


The camel we saw...isn't she cute! She's only 3 months old.


We got to feed the camel!


My sister Racheal and her husband Sam. They were kind enough to invite us to go see the Bees game with them on the 4th.


Dale and I at the game- it went 12 innings...wow, L-O-N-G game! The fireworks afterwards were definitely worth it!