The 4th

Happy 4th! I love this time of year. Summer is my favorite season. I especially love the beginning of July. I have my birthday and independence day. I have to say that I am very grateful for this beautiful country that I live in! Not only is the land beautiful (come visit us and see how BEAUTIFUL it is here) but I am thankful for my liberties. This truly is a blessed land. On the Sunday before the 4th sacrament meeting was about our country. I really felt the spirit and know that God has a plan and America and it’s constitution was no accident. I was also touched when we sang the national anthem and some other patriotic songs. They ALL mention our father in heaven. Our country was founded upon that belief. I’m glad that we don’t force anyone to believe in God, but I wish more of the politicians would remember that we were founded one nation under God. I feel blessed to know how much Heavenly Father loves me and this land. I am so grateful for those that have, do now, and will in the future protect this sacred right to believe in God. I love this land!
For Independence Day I got to sleep in while Ryan watched the girls! When I did get up I made pancakes for everyone and we just hung around the house and enjoyed the morning. After naps we went up to Platteville to get some lunch and go shopping. We went to Culver’s which is one of Kaitlyn’s favorite places to go. I love it because the kids meal comes with a ticket for ice cream! (Probably why Kaitlyn loves it too) You get a bowl of the flavor of the day or vanilla or chocolate. We usually get the girls a meal to share and then all share the ice cream cause it’s quite a lot. They had a holiday one with strawberries and blueberries, yumm! Afterwards we went to our friends house for some celebrations. Well, Emily and I did. Kaitlyn had to go home with Dad and take a nap! She was WAY too tired! They both fell asleep and Ryan’s phone was on vibrate so a few hours later I went to get them. They were both conked out! So cute. Then we went back to our friends had lots of fun. Coreina just got a trampoline and Kaitlyn and Emily LOVE it. I however have a heat attack every time Em is up there. I made Ryan watch them. I just couldn’t handle the stress. Well Jaden (he’s 5, and I think Kaitlyn’s little boyfriend) and Kaitlyn spent almost the whole time on the tramp. They were having a ball! We had to pull them off when they decided to roll around with each other! I didn’t think I’d have to worry about boys so soon. Lol, I know they didn’t mean anything by it. It was cute, funny, and a little worrisome all at once. We also had hot dogs and somores cooked over the fire. Yummy! I ate WAY to many of both. We got to sit and talk and watch the kids run around and play. We had come over a few days prior to watch the fireworks and play with sparklers, so there weren’t any fireworks that night. The girls didn’t end up seeing any though. We thought they had been canceled because of the rain, but they just did it afterwards when the girls were already in bed asleep. Lol, there’s always next year. We did sparklers both nights, but these pictures aren’t from the 4th. I didn’t get any that day. This was the last weekend in June when we were waiting for the fireworks.
Jaden and Kaitlyn on the tramp

Ryan lighting the kids sparklers

Jaden

Kaitlyn

Mya was moving to fast so I couldn't get a picture of her.