7.6.17 4th of July

The day was stacked full of activity. With a 5:40 am wake up call (which we slept through) to be ready for the boys to catch a ride to town to put up the American Flags on the streets.

Photo Courtesy of Malheur Enterprise

 Anna and Aliza accompanied Greg to the top of the silo to post the Flag up there as well. That is a long standing tradition which they were anxious to carry on.

Greg and a few headed to town to join the boys in preparing and cooking the annual 4th of July pancake breakfast. We worked here doing dishes finding clothes and getting ready for the day.

We had been out late the night before at the rodeo which was super enjoyable to be there listening to my kiddos sing the national anthem with their peers from school. Liza could be heard from one end of the arena to the next she has a beautiful big voice which she loves to share!-

Rodeo Photos Courtesy Darla Bair

I was really struck this 4th how blessed we are to live, work and be friends with so many good people. We are actively engaged in our community and I love that feeling of unity and strength from the peaceful although challenging (read lots of work to do always!) part of the United States of America. We are so blessed. 

At the rodeo Mark had caught a pig. I was not super thrilled but he was very excited! He loves animals and he was determined, skilled, and a bit lucky to have caught one out of the 100+ kids who tried and the 6-8 pigs who were offered. We headed from the breakfast to the pig farm and got 2 pigs as 1 pig will literally die of loneliness. 

From there back home to find the pivot stuck. So some stayed to work and some went to play. 

All eventually ended at the very full of water lake. And we are happy today for lots of clothes and sun screen that protected us from sun burns! It was a great day. The little kids loved swimming and playing baptism- thanks cousin NAtalie! And we enjoyed all the chips, M & M's, and capri suns we could hold! Perfect day.

Coming home we found the pivot stuck again. It was well into the 100 degree temps and we were tired from playing so hard. I set the timer to give the kids a 30 min power nap and we went to visit grandma. We got to enjoy her traditional fried foods. Yum!

Afton and Eloise are tight buddies. So fun to share happy childhood adventures with.
The kids were spared an extra 30 min and then they went to pull the pivot out with shear muscles and determination. I watched it was amazing and teeth grinding.
Bruce scored a ride on the 4 wheeler. He knows what he wants and works to get it.

And Afton was found totally and completely asleep on the couch and did not wake till morning. Poor kiddo had a full 24 hours. So much fun and so much to keep up with. 

Summer is anything but lazy this year.