"America, America, God shed His grace on thee!!"

Happy 4th of July!! What a great holiday, probably one of my favorites. What other holiday do we pig out on hot-dogs, corn-on-the-cob, watermelon, hamburgers, and potato salad? Not to mention the fire-works. It seems like every 4th gets a little more sentimental and emotional for me. I am SO thankful to live in this free, amazing country! We are so blessed to have the freedoms we do, and I know we all sometimes take them for granted. This year I am especially grateful as I am starting to see some of our freedoms taken away (I won't get into it). I just feel so blessed to be able to raise our children in a safe, and free country where we don't have to worry about being killed for speaking our minds. Where I can walk around free as a woman and vote, gain an education, and work in a profession as I chose! It saddens me to know that some people don't have the same pride in their country. I hope someday they will take pride and understand how lucky we all are! God bless America!

We started off the 3-day weekend by running through the sprinklers. Erik is seriously the most fun dad ever. He's not afraid of acting like a kid again!

I love the sheer joy on her face.

CAREFULLY stepping through the sprinkler.

Troy wasn't too sure about all of it. He's a little hesitant.

Oooh, that's cold!

That night, our old ward had a pot-luck/softball game at Hazen HS. Troy and Jenna always have so much fun together. And who wouldn't want to be around such a cute little girl!!

Nice hit Daddy! I'm especially impressed with my photo-taking abilities while holding Troy. :)

For the 4th, we went over to our "adopted" family BBQ, at the Rigtrups.

Had to throw in the close-up too, since this is my scrapbook, per say.

The smokin' hot ladies cookin' up some delicious grub! Alexis Allen and Stephanie Rigtrup.

Troy was a little out of it. He didn't take an afternoon nap. So he went down to bed early. Poor guy.

Another sleepy baby. Thomas Allen. He and Troy are only 1 month and 2 days apart. They had a blast together! And he is such a little sweetheart.

Having fun on the tramp. Brooklyn really thinks she is so big.

We love Roxy!

Playing duck, duck, goose. Actually, I think Brooklyn was just running around.

There were some sweet fire-works in the neighborhood. Lots of illegal stuff, you know, the GOOD stuff! Kind of scary with all those pine-trees around.

"Cheese!!"

Trying to get a picture with the kiddos. Brooklyn was thrilled.

Yes, I know my fore-head is shiny. This is where Troy and I took in the festivities. Erik woke him up from his peaceful slumber because he didn't want him to miss the fire-works! :)

Brooklyn's very own sparkler! Yes, we're that family who lets their 2 year old hold her own sparkler.

The morning after.