The Fourth

Happy Independence Day!! I love the Fourth of July. I love seeing the flag flying high, I love the sense of patriotism, I love the yummy food, I love the fireworks, I love the history. My dad instilled a strong sense of pride in my country and I'm grateful for it! I love this country (I do not love every single thing that has happened or that is currently happening in this country but this isn't a political post. So I'll spare you my views for now). America has so much to offer! Not just in freedoms but also in scenery, just think about it...in one country you can see the waves crashing onto a warm tropical beach, mountains so high they touch the sky, deserts and cactus all the way to the horizon, unending swamp lands, thick woodlands, and so many more amazing sights. But enough about that...time for some Fourth of July stories :)

One July 4th that has stuck in my memory is from when I was about nine years old. We lived in Nevada and my parents took my sisters and me to a big base wide picnic. I was SO EXCITED because my mom said that I could have a Dr. Pepper!! We hardly ever got soda so this was a huge treat. I searched through rows and rows of coolers and could not find a Dr. Pepper anywhere. Finally I spotted one lonesome can of carbonated delight and reached my hand out to grab it when suddenly this awful woman snatched it!!! Right out of the hands of a little girl! So I did what anyone would do...ran and told my parents. My mom went and found me another coveted Dr. P but the damage was already done; I already held a vendetta against the soda stealer. I ever see that wretched woman again I'll steal her soda right from under her nose!!

Another special Fourth memory is from 2008, I was 19 years old. Nathaniel and I had been dating for two and a half years and decided to hike up our favorite mountain, Flattop. I remember going to Subway for sandwiches so we could have a picnic at the top. I drove to his house and then we drove together in his car up to Flattop. We got there and he decided that we needed to eat BEFORE our hike, he was adamant that he eat before. So, of course I started complaining. I won't tell you what I said because it's too embarrassing! (Something to do with butt cramps...hahaha) so we found a quiet little spot at the base of the mountain and had our picnic. Once we were done Nathaniel stood up, pulled me up to stand next to him, and then dropped on one knee. He said some very sweet words :) and asked me to marry him!! I said yes through my tears and then noticed an entire mob of Asian tourists watching and cheering us on. It was hilarious. And then we didn't even go on our hike! But it was a perfect day :) The following picture is from the day after we got engaged. We were basically babies!!

Today's Fourth was a quiet day. It's been raining and little Caden is sick but we still had a great day! We went to Moose's Tooth for lunch and grilled out hot dogs and bratwurst for supper. Caden was super sweet and cuddly since he's sick. It's actually a nice change from the hyper active little guy we usually have but I want him to feel better!! I hate when he's sick! Now that Caden's in bed Nathaniel and I are going to break out the Flag cake we made :) Happy Fourth of July everyone!!