Happy 4th of July!

It has been a family tradition of ours to go to the 4th of July Parade in Provo as part of the Freedom Festival. We have done this ever since I was a little girl. We may not have made it every year, but we went when we could. Ever since my siblings have been members of the American Fork Marching Band we haven't missed a year. This year my younger brother Robert is on the drum line. It's always fun to see him in action. My brother Patrick and his wife Tawna stake out a place for us every year in front of their apartment right on the parade route. Thanks guys! We always have a great time being together and enjoying the parade!

Baby Claire enjoying the parade (and Grandma's water bottle) :)

Me and Mom - Eliza - Shannon

Christian and Channing chillin during the parade

Anxiously anticipating the arrival of the AF Marching Band

The American Fork Marching Band



Robert is the first drummer in the first row of drummers.

Later that day we gathered at my grandparents in Orem for dinner. We had yummy food and a good time relaxing in the shade! Thanks G&G Hyde for letting us come and spend the evening!

The little cousins wanted to feed some carrots to the horses that live on the other side of my grandparents fence. Grandma Hyde got the carrots and was able to coax the horse over. The horse turned out to be a little skiddish, so the little ones only watched as my sister Shannon fed the horse the carrots. He would only take them from her.

Austin enjoyed the afternoon sitting in the shade and reading his book.

I am truly grateful to live in a country that has so many wonderful freedoms. We are extremely blessed to be able to live and worship as we please. It is a comfort to know that God set this land aside for the purpose of having these freedoms so the Gospel could come forth. I feel greatly indebted to those men who were foreordained to come and set up this great nation.