The Fourth and then Some

During our Sacrament Meeting last Sunday the whole congregation stood together and sang the National Anthem.   It was so powerful.  I got the chills.  

We are so blessed to live in America.

I really do love our country and I love raising my family here.

 

 

The Fourth of July is like the heart of summertime.

It pumps life into us and makes us feel so alive!

We spent the holiday week at East Canyon Resort with some of the Belnap peeps.  We hit the ground running on the Fourth with a traditional pancake breakfast over at the lodge.  Can't go wrong with breakfast food!

 

Afterwards the kids all got their faces painted!

 

 

They had cute festive faces!

 Next it was time to go over to the camp to get their bikes decorated for a bike parade.  The kids used ribbons, crate paper, tulle, balloons, flags, etc, to really get things patriotic.

Natalie did her bike all by herself.  It was adorable.  

Speaking of Natalie and bikes, she learned how to ride her bike WITHOUT training wheels this week.  Cord happened to put her on Libby's bike for a second and pushed her around.  He noticed that Natty had really good balance and didn't seem nervous at all, so he took the training wheels off Nat's little bike and away she went!  Just - like - that!  It was so cute and she was so happy!  Way to go Natalie!!! 

 

 

Once everyone's bike was ready, we took a nice slow ride around the campgrounds to spread some Forth of July love.  Brighton even had candy to toss out to the spectators. We got lots of claps and cheers from our fellow campers.  The kids thought it was great!

 

 

  

That evening we drove down to Henefer to participate in some of their city activities.  They had several huge bouncy toys for the kids to play on.  Our kids had a great time climbing around on the smaller toys.  They had this one to their-selves for quite awhile.  Gotta love small towns!

 

Once they were through bouncing, we got ready for the outdoor concert.  Jon Schmidt, the cool piano guy, was the main event.  We laid out blankets and had a picnic.  It was one of those Summer Nights at their best kind of times.  The air was cool, the kids were playing, the music was fantastic.  I had a great time.  

   

These cute Rodeo Queens came to say hello to our girls.  Natalie was fascinated by their beautiful crowns.  They were REAL princesses to her.  The cute girls let Lib and Nat try on their crowns.  I got kind of emotional watching the interaction.  I was so impressed by the sweet Rodeo Queens.  They were so attentive and made my little princesses feel really special.  I loved them!

 

 

It was such a fantastic holiday.  One of my favorite in a long time.  Even without fireworks!  

Utah is so dry right now!

The rest of our time was spent swimming and riding bikes and sitting by the fire.  We went for a Ranger ride and saw a million sheep!  We went for long walks and bought treasures in the country store.  It was such a relaxing vacation.  I feel so blessed to have such a beautiful place to spend time with my family.