Here's another big post (like Steamboat Springs).
For the Forth of July holiday we got back together with more family!
My newest nephew, Miles John, came all the way from Spokane.
There were lots of moments for cousin bonding. :) sweet!
Mom's work crew
Grandpa took us on an expedition and taught us the names of mountain wildflowers.
The boys were pretty interested! --One flower even smelled like popcorn!
The girls loved it too....
Amy planned a pirate party for the boys. --Treasure hunt let by Uncle Eric.
good food of course...
And then there was the "Princess Party" hosted by Ella and Amy! Wow, this girl stuff is new to me. It is pretty fun for Tessa to have super cute girl cousins!
The evening ended with a sing-along with Grandpa: primary song medley, Grandma's Feather bed, etc.
On Monday the 4th, we made it to the small town parade in Oakley. I had been looking forward to seeing the marching bands and horses and waving to the candy-thowing parade floats. Rain sprinkled on us a little and it was even a bit chilly, but I enjoyed participating in the holiday tradition. Then Mom and Dad took us to the nearby reservoir for water fun. On the way, as usual, Michael was reading every road sign, etc.. He asked about an unfamiliar word --recreation. I explained it and realized that it was a great word to represent the day. Jared actually took the whole day off of his bar studies to revamp before his last few weeks of preparation. We enjoyed all the recreation that could be found. The boys tried to catch fish. We went out in a canoe with our whole little family. We got to experience Dad's new sailboat. Renee brought the exchange students from Russia she was hosting and we really enjoyed visiting with them. Here are some photos:
A tame butterfly set up habitat on Seth's colorful sleeve.
Tessa thought the glacial water was very refreshing and jumped in twice. I was busy keeping her occupied.
Family Photo (-minus Grandma as picture taker)
I realize that my fourth of July post didn't reflect a speck of patriotism. But I did have some opportunity for reflection throughout the holiday as I enjoyed the blessings of freedom.
In our extended Family Home Evening we sang patriotic songs and talked about some of the history of each set of lyrics and composition. A great favorite is "America the Beautiful." The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates, a literature professor in the late 1800s. Here is her account of the experience that prompted her to write the poem.
One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.
Her poem captured the feelings and ideas of many Americans and became popular immediately.
How do I describe my appreciation for what Independence Day represents? It is gratitude for freedom and for the beautiful and familiar things in life. I'll share Bates' beautiful lyrics that express it so well.
- O beautiful for spacious skies,
- For amber waves of grain,
- For purple mountain majesties
- Above the fruited plain!
- America! America!
- God shed His grace on thee,
- And crown thy good with brotherhood
- From sea to shining sea!
- O beautiful for pilgrim feet
- Whose stern impassion'd stress
- A thoroughfare for freedom beat
- Across the wilderness.
- America! America!
- God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
- Confirm thy soul in self-control,
- Thy liberty in law.
- O beautiful for heroes prov'd
- In liberating strife,
- Who more than self their country lov'd,
- And mercy more than life.
- America! America!
- May God thy gold refine
- Till all success be nobleness,
- And ev'ry gain divine.
- O beautiful for patriot dream
- That sees beyond the years
- Thine alabaster cities gleam
- Undimmed by human tears.
- America! America!
- God shed His grace on thee,
- And crown thy good with brotherhood
- From sea to shining sea.
I am grateful for those who have shared their gifts to embody and enable these good and true things.
The fields of grain I saw on the 4th of July in Oakley, Utah seem to embody the bounty and goodness that Americans seek. May God mend our every flaw and shed His grace on us.
Thank goodness for a day to celebrate and recognize some of the things I love.
