4th of July

So my 4th of July weekend wasn't ALL drama - we did fit in some fun times too!

Granny took us to her stake's Boy Scout breakfast. This is Papa, Ella, Lily and Granny ready for some grub!


We went to the super cute Hyrum City parade. I love small town parades. There were lots of big trucks, princesses, dance teams, and even the Mountain Crest High School Marching Band:

Lily got way into the parade! She loved waving at everybody and clapping. Ella had a great time chasing the candy. Lily and I both were especially grateful for the popsicles and string cheese that they threw at us!



On Sunday night I played with the USU Summer Alumni Band. They meet at 4:30 to rehearse and put on a concert that same evening. The concert this night was out on the Quad on campus. They only do a couple of these concerts each season outdoors. They are so relaxed and laid back. It is so fun to do these concerts and meet up with old friends.


The program that night was a lot of patriotic marches (go figure), which means for French Horn players like myself a LOT of off-beats. Although it wasn't exactly the most stimulating music to play, it was still a lot of fun. The weather cooperated and the fam even came to enjoy the evening.

Well, this is how Wow and Lily spent most of the evening - trying to burn of some of this girl's energy!

Some things that touch me every year for as long as I can remember are the tributes I hear and see to the troops. Even as a little girl, going to the 4th of July parade in Provo, I remember tearing up, saluting the troops as they come by. This year was no different. The sacrifices they make so willingly on my behalf truly humble me. The strength of these brave soldiers and their families is what this nation is built on.

During our concert on Sunday, we played a tribute to each of the branches of the armed services. As we played each anthem, the veterans in the crowd stood and sang along. I was awed by the number of men and women who still proudly stood and paid respect to their country.

We are so blessed to live in the nation we do; to have the freedoms and lifestyles we have. This is something that is so easy for me to take for granted. I love this holiday and the opportunity I have to remember what our nation, our freedoms and our communities mean to me.

God bless America!