Steel Days

Every summer American Fork has their city celebration called Steel Days. It gets its name from the Geneva Steel plant where most residents of American Fork worked back in the early days. It is tradition in our family to go to the breakfast provided by the American Fork Marching Band and then off to the parade. It was a warm morning, but we had a great spot in the shade!

Eliza, Sarah (Robert's girlfriend), and Shannon waiting for the parade to start.

The American Fork Marching Band

Rob the Drummer

Eliza and Mallory
Mallory was excited about the candy that was thrown by those in the parade.



Cosmo was Christian's favorite!


Cinderella was mine!

Shannon got to throw a pin to the clown who then juggled them.
I don't know how he can do all that on stilts!

There is a new restaurant coming to Utah Valley called Pirate Island Pizza. Austin and I saw one in St. George when we were there last month and Austin had a good time making fun of it with a very authentic pirate voice. Well, they had a float in the parade with a Jack Sparrow impersonator who was hilarious! He made for great entertainment during a lull in the parade.

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.