Independence Day Delights

(Body written by Amy, Pictures and captions done by Richard.)
With the Fourth of July having come and gone, we hope you all enjoyed it; complete with friends, family, fun, FOOD, but most of all, that you took time to think upon the many people who have sacrificed and who are sacrificing so much to maintain our beautiful and free country. Amy says she is so grateful to live in this wonderful and blessed nation.

Our day began with a combined ward flag raising ceremony and breakfast held at our church building. Amy had been asked to sing the National Anthem at this event. She felt honored, but knew she needed Heavenly Father's help if she was to do well. So she practiced a lot and prayed a lot. "I wasn't nervous until night before. In retrospect, I realized that might have been the most nervous I've ever been for a solo." She was glad that she could get it over with in the morning and enjoy the rest of the holiday without worrying.

Isabelle with some friends at the breakfast.

Isabelle being silly and cute at home.

We enjoyed relaxing and watching Independence Day. Amy cried a laughable amount. Bless her little pregnancy-hormone-laden heart. Later, we went to a barbecue hosted by a family in our ward; the whole ward was invited. It was a beautiful day. We were surprised it wasn’t miserably hot like last week. Isabelle enjoy playing with other kids. She didn’t want to go in the “bounce house,” but she did swing, teeter-totter, use a tricycle, enjoy the dogs, play in the sand, eat the sand,....

Isabelle on the teeter-totter with a new friend. She wasn't heavy enough to push her side down, so Daddy had to help her.

Isabelle sporting a patriotic hat. It got glitter all over her.

Though the hosting family is known widely for their fireworks show, we left before they got started. Isabelle was already up way past her bedtime, plus we’d forgotten ear plugs (especially for Belle). Plus, well, frankly, Amy just really isn’t a fan of loud (or even really of fireworks-- I know, what a party-pooper.) So, we watched some from our parking lot when we got home. Tons of people do them here in Kansas because few fireworks are illegal.

On the drive home, Isabelle started singing and directing herself. It was so cute.

Isabelle driving us home from the BBQ.

That’s our day in a nutshell. Mostly it was just fun to spend time as a family. Isabelle and Mom got Daddy for the whole day!!