Stars, Stripes and Freedom!

July 3, 2013 was as sad day for us. Jordan's Aunt passed away and we are in Montana. Unable to be with family we decided the only thing to do was to be in the midst of the Creator. There is something amazing about this place. You can get lost in nature any time you want to and it's not just one tree or one pretty flower.... this place is nature at it's finest. We drove out to the lake and enjoyed the most beautiful day surrounded by beauty knowing that even though our hearts are sad and our family is hurting that there is a God- he is all powerful, in control and loves us endlessly. Jordan picked up his fishing pole and spent the day alone on the lake with the only One who could mend his broken heart. We love you Aunt Suzy and are thankful you are at peace now!

Jordan is the king at finding heart rocks in nature. This one is for all of us left here thinking about how beautiful a person Suzy was to all of us. Nothing but love. Her laugh will forever be in our ears and her memory forever a part of our hearts...

The 4th of July has grown into one of my favorite holidays. On a day like this it makes me smile to be an American. There are a few days of the year where it seems that nearly everyone is sitting back and enjoying each other and the freedom this country has given us. The air is full of BBQ's and children's laughter.

I grew up in a small lake town, I remember walking down to the lake shores just after sunset to watch the firework show. I love those exploding lights in the sky.... ooooooo.... awwwww... the whole crowd would make those sounds as each one went off. My dad usually had some sort of party which would add to the magic of it all. Some years we would close down our whole block, other years it would just be a backyard BBQ. The decorations were always out in full either way! Hay bales and flags everywhere. We also have a huge naval aircraft carrier flag that has been passed down from generation to generation. Some years it hangs over our little road from the trees, lately my dad has hung it down the side of our house. She's is always flyin though and there is just something majestic about it. I can almost picture it flying high as the great ship cruises across the ocean.... America!!!!

This year we are not home, we're in Montana. It's always weird for me to re-create the traditions of our families on holidays. Part of you want to do everything that you do at home so you're not missing out- but the other part tells you it's time to start new things. Usually we end up with a mix of the old and new.

Jordan and I just kicked it around the motor home most of the day. Drank our coffee slow, listened to our little town full of activity and enjoyed each other's company. I started some ribs in the crock pot (a tradition I started our first 4th away from the family in Tucson). We called our families, wished them a happy holiday and the got ready to head into town for the parade. Just as we were getting on our bikes it started sprinkling. We were determined to go anyways so we grabbed our rain jackets and headed out. A little water never hurt anyone! We found a good spot to watch the parade right outside of our work. While we were waiting we got some homemade huckleberry and strawberry ice cream. It was amazing. Just as the parade was pulling around the corner the rain stopped. I am not sure if you have ever been to a small town parade but they are awesome. All the local authorities drove through in fancy cars, then the firemen in their truck, then came a family of four or five generations all rode through on decorated bikes, then all the local businesses had floats of some sort. Main street was packed with record breaking numbers. I just smiled and waved and soaked up every moment of it. Things like this make you forget about the sad direction our country is going..... it makes you think that everything is going to be ok.

After the parade we went over to the city park for some live music. It was beautiful out and the park was booming with life and laughter. We headed home around 9pm so we could clean and cook the fish that Jordan and had caught the day before. It was just about sunset and the fireworks would be starting soon. About half way through cooking dinner we heard the cracks and booms of fireworks and were so confused, the show wasn't supposed to started for another 45 minutes. Apparently, it's legal up here to buy and shoot them off yourself. These aren't your everyday driveway sparklers and small rockets though...... they sell the HUGE ones! So we got a full hour pre-show 360 degrees around us. We ate dinner so fast so we could go outside and enjoy. We grabbed a couple beers and set up our chairs on the sidewalk outside our house. It was amazing. After it got dark we walked down to the old airport right next to our house and watched the real show. West Yellowstone really did an amazing job!

Afterwards we walked home and sat on our sidewalk again for another two hours as the whole town was continuing to shoot of their own. We had smiles from ear to ear and were giggling like little kids. It was awesome. Everywhere you looked another firework would explode into a million colors! It is as if the neighbors were all competing against each other. Montana has spoiled us rotten and we are loving every second of it!

"Fishing is the best medicine"