4th of July Celebrations

We have a tradition at the Bailey house for breakfast on the 4th of July: Freedom Toast! We were excited to share it with our "All American Boy" this year :) 

After breakfast we got ready for the first of two barbecues of the day. The first barbecue was with friends: the Whites, the Condons, and the Orton-Gulleruds. It was the first time Mark and I have ever hosted a party at our house and it was a roaring success. We had a fabulous time and we hope our friends did too!

It was unbearably hot outside, but poor Mark braved the impossible weather and grilled us up some burgers and hotdogs. The rest of us enjoyed the AC inside. Mark did too-- once the burgers were done. He is such a champ. I married the best man on earth.

After our first barbecue of burgers and hotdogs we had a 2nd barbecue with the missionaries and the Condons. The Condons came to both barbecues :) We had shish kebabs and grilled pineapple (a la Father's day). Austin was having a tough evening though so I didn't get any pictures of that one.

After the missionaries left we packed up Austin and headed over to the Condon's house. After putting the kiddos to bed we enjoyed setting off fireworks in the street and watching Captain America while we ate ice cream sundaes. It was basically the best 4th of July ever.

Our 4th of July festivities were a blast. But the only reason we were able to celebrate at all was because of the bravery of a few men signing a document declaring their rights and freedoms. Today we maintain that freedom because countless men and women have given their lives in service to our country. I feel truly blessed to live in the United States of America. It really is the land of the free and home of the brave. Despite the many problems that beset our country I am PROUD to be an American. I would rather be an American with all our difficulties than citizen of any other country. I love this land. God Bless America.