4th

Our 4th started early. The street sweepers were out getting Main St parade ready and woke us up. But it was a good thing, I wanted to go for a run so we got moving quickly and got breakfast for the kids. Jonathan and I went the same distance in our runs, only he did it in about half the time I did. I didn't mind. Peter stayed with me, the big kids kept up with dad.

After runs I worked on our hamburger buns and pie crust while the kids and J waited outside for the parade.

Our parade neighbor kindly took a picture of all of us when I finally got out there.

The parade is one of the biggest in our state. A number of our state representatives and officials walk in this parade. And there is lots of candy, the kids loved that.

After the parade we had lunch, talks with friends, then the kids and I headed out to the orchards to pick pie cherries.

Andi and I just couldn't get over how beautiful the trees were. The picture does it no justice, really. The cherries hung in bunches like grapes, and they sparkled like rubies in the sun. They were tart, so the kids each had one and then were more content picking them and bringing no me handfuls like little pirated treasures. "Oh, mom! I hit the jack pot!" and "Mom! Look how beautiful!" and "See, mom! I got the cherries!" were heard the entire time.

It took us a grand total of 20 minutes to pick over 5 pounds. I want to go back and get more!!

The orchard had a pitting machine, so after we had paid for our cherries and a donut for each of the kids we got to watch them put the cherries through the pitter.

After we got home I whipped together a cherry slab pie and hamburgers. We had a yummy dinner then took the pie to a friend's home for good fun and fireworks.

A couple were so insanely bright that I could take pictures that didn't come out completely dark. I got this one and just laughed, so I had to share:

The big kids were off playing and eating treats or I'd have gotten some pictures of them, too.

I'm so glad we were able to spend the 4th together and to have so much fun. The day has taken on a different feel and meaning to me this year. I appreciate so much the sacrifice of so many to secure for myself, my family, and countless other families the blessings of liberty. We sang the Star-Spangled Banner at church on Sunday and, while I love the verse everyone knows, I was particularly touched by the third verse found in our hymnal:

Oh, thus be it ever,

When free men shall stand

Between their loved homes

And the war's desolation!

Blest with vict'ry and peace,

May the heav'n-rescued land

Praise the Pow'r that hath made 

and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must,

When our cause it is just,

And this be our motto:

"In God is our trust!"

And the Star-Spangled Banner

In triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free

And the home of the brave!

I hope everyone had a safe and delightful Independence Day! I do so hope that we will always remember with gratitude those that risked all to establish a nation that values liberty and freedom, and I hope we might enjoy these freedoms for many generations to come.