Happy 4th of July!

Today has been a great day! This is one of my favorite holidays! This morning the kids and I went to a flag raising ceremony at our stake center, followed by a pancake breakfast. Cameron came running into my room this morning with his American flag and announced it was time to go "hear the trumpet" at the flag ceremony! It was time indeed... we had to hurry!

Well, there wasn't a trumpet, but there was a snare drum! And the man in charge of the closing song asked Cameron to come up and wave his flag (that he brought with him!) and help lead the music. Carolyn joined them up there on the knoll just under the flag pole. --- And, of course, in all my haste, I left my camera (which is usually in my purse) at home!!! :(

Then we left the stake center and were heading home, I called Brett (who was working because I made him take an OT shift) and told him what a great time we were having and he suggested going to the Templeton 4th of July Parade! (Small town Templeton of maybe 3,000 population - felt like what I grew up with!) So, we went there too and got a great seat in the shade and had an awesome time! The best for the kids was probably towards the end of the parade, a man in a red corvette threw them a bag of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans!!!! They were in heaven.... you see, we are potty training and if "you go pee pee potty you get a jelly bean"! They got a whole handful without even having to go potty!!!

And, we have swings in our big Oak tree out front. We got them put in last night and enjoyed a great evening last night and a whole afternoon today. Our neighbors came over and sat under the tree too while the kids were swinging and we ate watermelon I had cut-up and chilled. Could this day be any better?! (Well, I am really wishing Brett had been around for this all -- feeling pretty guilty!)

Happy Independence Day! Thanks to all those whose served, are serving, and plan to serve for our great country and for my freedom!!!