Let Freedom Ring

Another year. Another summer. Another Independence Day celebration.

We sat on the side of the road, sharing in the excitement, watching our boys in their sleepy states (yes, we did put them to bed and then yank them out again) as they tried to process the noise and excitement all the while likely secretly longing to be back in their beds

The next morning, this guy got to decorate his NEW (as in garage-sale new) bike to ride with the other children to the parade.

 He couldn't have been more proud of his bike.

The next morning also brought the aftermath of staying up late to watch fireworks.

Well, tantrums and meltdowns aside, it was fun to spectate the parade on this rarity of a July morning (no sweat, no sun, no sunblock!)

99 cent American flags...

Red-white-and blue buntings and banners...

Star spangled dresses and scarves...

 Flag-tipped fedoras...

Toddlers with firework-pompom headbands...

Babies sleeping through the chaos...

Or trying to shut it out

Uncle Sam on stilts...

Festive pony-riding cowboys...

This is the stuff of which patriotic celebrations are made.

Also, things of slightly less fluff... Recognizing the sacrifices that brought us what we presently enjoy.

Will's shirt reads: Land of the Free because of the Brave.
How those words ring true.

Each year may we continue to raise our children with a deep appreciation of what we have been given.

I leave you with an apropos quote from one of our family favorites, good ole' Ronnie,

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."