Freedom isn't Free

I love America, and I love celebrating the Fourth of July. America is the greatest place on earth. We are so lucky to call it home.

Special thanks to my Grandpas, who served in the wars to keep America a free country. My Grandpa Olson served as a military police officer, and my Grandpa Wardle kept the troops fed working as a cook. It’s always fun (when it doesn’t last 4 hours or more) to hear about different war stories they tell.

Things are different now than they were back then. My generation, until the last five years or so, has led pretty war-less lives. Because of that, I think a lot of us, me included, don’t always appreciate how great our country is and the privileges we enjoy. Most of us don’t do enough to ensure that America always stays this way. The purpose of this blog is not to call anyone into action, although it wouldn’t hurt if more of us would get out and vote or at least register to vote. No, the real purpose of this blog is to show you the cute pics we have from our festivities this year.

We attended the Riverton Parade on the evening of the third of July. Always a favorite for me, ever since I was a little girl, and a great kick-off for the holiday.

We also went to Riverton Park that evening and listened to my brother’s band (not the kind you’re thinking of) play. Alyssa, Alayna and Issac put on a show dancing to the music for us and all the blue-hairs who were there. The kids also got to go and see the carnies who were in town with their rickety rides. They didn’t ride them though, because I am too cheap and I don’t trust the maintenance procedures the carnies may or may not follow. Based on the lack of maintenance they showed on caring for their own teeth, my money says they don’t maintain those rides either.

The next day we did the All-American thing to do and had a BBQ with the entire Sokol Fam. Alyssa had a ball as usual playing with her Sokol cousins. Fun times chasing each other around the house, and watching Uncle Bob nearly blow his digits off lighting fire works and smoke bombs.

We had delicious thick burgers and brawts and chicken along with an assortment of delicious sides. Then as if that weren’t enough, we went to see the Bee’s play some baseball. It was a fun thing to do on the Fourth, and no one got beamed in the head with a baseball, which I was very nervous about since we were sitting in foul ball territory.
They had a fireworks display afterward which was neat-o. Nothing makes you feel more patriotic than Neil Diamond singing “Come’n to America with fireworks bursting overhead. One of the best moments of the year. Special thanks to Karen and Charlie for making it happen, we had a great time together.

All in all it was a great celebration. I look forward to many more in the future.

In closing, remember, freedom isn’t free.