{the olympics...}

maybe i'm jumpin the gun, but i just watched this video about 4x. and i would be lying if i said i didn't tear up a little. its definitely one of my favorite olympic moments of all time. and i know its still a few months away, but there is gonna be a countdown chain in my kitchen until july 27th ;)

go usa.

{tragedy and triumph..}

when i thought for one second about complaining this morning about something odd and not important..

i remembered that it was september 11th.

and then i thought about the many men and women who got calls from their spouses 10 years ago saying that something was wrong on their plane, and they didn't know what was going to happen.
and they never spoke to them again.

and i also thought about those thousands of children who never saw their parent come home that night.

or the babies who weren't born yet, and never met their dad.

or those fire fighters that went up the towers, when everyone else was coming down.

or those people who tried to carry/aid anyone they could arround them, and didn't make it because of it.
or soldiers and their families who have sacrificed so much to protect the freedoms we enjoy in this great country.

and everyone else who is mourning on this very solemn day, remembering what happened 10 years ago.

i dont know what it is about tragedy that sucks me in.

ive been glued to the TV for the last few hours, like last year.

and i feel the same; heartbroken, but inspired.

“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others.

It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning.

But not only of loss and mourning.

It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice,

and the love that lays down its life for a friend–

even a friend whose name it never knew."

-President George W. Bush

{the fourth..}

we had such a busy, but fun, fourth of july weekend...
jord & i went to stadium of fire to see these two.

it was such an awesome show.

 never in my life do i feel more patriotic than i do at stadium of fire.

brings me to tears everytime i go! 

{we left baby for the first time (scary!), with my parents, but she did awesome.}

we blessed our sweet rowan on sunday the 3rd.

(too many pictures to post on this one.. it will be the next!)

and the fourth was a party from sun-up to sun-down.

we started out by going to the parade.

my dad & sisters ran in the freedom run- so proud of them!

then relaxed at the pool & had lunch after we got back.

such a happy baby!

our patriotic little bug ;)

then we went to my aunt springs to enjoy a festive BBQ & fireworks.

always a good time with these peeps!

{could she look any more like her daddy?}

there aint no doubt i love this land.. God bless the USA!

9/11..

on this very solemn day,

i am glued to the tv...

watching stories of absolute hero's,
miracles and devastation.

Its amazing how your heart can be so broken,

yet so proud and inspired?

i'm remembering, and will never forget.

{party in the u.s.a}

last week was full of events and celebrations....

starting with eclipse.
look, you all know i'm a fan....and dramatic about it.
if you cant have a little vampire/werewolf love in your life, then i feel sorry for you.
that being said, and knowing the movies will never be as good as the books,
this was my favorite movie of the three!
and r.pattz brought his A-game to this one ;)

the drama would not be nearly as fun without these ladies.
(so happy we scored assigned-seating tickets this time around)

{sorry its blurry}

after the show, we went down to Thanksgiving Point, where my mom works,

to see her display of eclipse. she did such a good job, their stuff was so cute.

(the sisters, the mom, and the aunts)

gotta love it 

___________________________________________________________________

some last-minute decisions kept us in Logan for friday night (the 2nd) and we were pleasantly surprised to find that Logan actually goes above and beyond for the 4th of July. Yes, i've been up here 6 years and never knew they did this.

The (mini) "Stadium of Fire"... logan style

the entertainment was no Carrie Underwood....

but they were pretty good. and we had a fun night, just the two of us.

the 3rd, we drove down to Bountiful (haven't missed a year yet!) for their festivities, and to celebrate alot of Nelson birthdays.

 (my sister Lindsay, and her family. Including my newest little nephew, Haws)

(my sister brynne and her family)

and then there are is us. who don't know how to take a decent picture......

{most of my family}

and then for the 4th, we went up to hang out with the Staples at their (fairly new) cabin they just built.

it's sooo pretty up there, wish i would have taken more pictures.

and the 5th was my dad's birthday...

happy birthday D-

the 4th of july is honestly one of my favorite holidays, we were so proud to celebrate it.
On this holiday, and always, our thoughts and prayers are for those who have died fighting for our country, and for those who continue to fight... and also for their sweet families.  so proud to be an american!

{let freedom ring...}

a little late, i know.

but we had quite the 'celebrating' fourth of july weekend....

first, it was up to bountiful for the july 3rd firework show, and celebrate a few nelson birthdays..
(i had NOTHING to wear for the fourth, so i decided to make my shirt..... (the flag one)... im kinda proud)

then the fourth of july party began.
we started at the provo parade. got there a little late, but enjoyed every minute of it.

then we got to go to stadium of fire with the staples! i cant believe i've never been- my dad use to always let us sit on the roof of our house and watch the fireworks from the stadium, but oh my, this show was AMAZING sitting IN the stadium.

SHEDaisy was by far my favorite, they sang one of my favorite songs, 'come home soon', and played a video dedicated to those in the armed forces. {definitely cried}

and although im not a die-hard jonas brothers fan, they put on a great show for the 10 million SCREAMING girls that were in attendance. (and a 17 year old boy who danced by himself next to us and sang every word to every song..... gotta love it).

and if you cant tell by the picture, my father in law LOVED them! :)

A few tears were shed during the show, as i felt an incredible amount of patriotism while we honored the men and women who have fought for our country, and for those who continue to do so. i felt incredibly grateful and also so proud as we all stood and sang our national anthem.
thanks so much staples for such a good time, we looooved it!

then sunday, the 5th, was my dads birthday. and for his sake, i wont mention how old he is. we spent all day eating, laughing and a PERFECT sunday evening playing outside, with a mad tournament of ladder ball. we love you and cherish you dad, on this day, and always!

and sorry, but i had to add this, cause its so stinkin cute.
i got this idea off a blog i ran into called bakerella.
she has the funnest treat ideas, and i fell in LOVE with this one,

so i tried it for my dads birthday,
and they were really cute. {can i say that?} thanks for the idea bakerella.

bun= cupcake cut in half with sesame seeds sprinkled on top
ketchup/mustartd= red & yellow frosting
lettuce= green frosting OR green tinted coconut
patty= brownie cut into a cirlce
fries= sugar cookies with sugar sprinkled on top

click here to see bakerella's 'happy meal' and for all instructions

hope you all had a fabulous weekend celebrating our countries independance.