Please pass the fireworks....

Well, by darn - it's the 4th of July weekend.  It's a bit different this year than in the past.  2 of our children and their spouses and all of my GRANDCHILDREN are out of the state - dearly missed - but proud that they are in some free state somewhere - I mean don't we have several dozen free states now?  Our 4th is usually spent at our home town celebrations, parade, sweet cook out before the fireworks start, sitting around in out staked out designated area with ropes, ties, and several explosive devices if you pass through our area... You know - the regular family oriented stuff.  Kinda quiet on the western front this year.  I do have a very handsome Missionary home this 4th of July - now there's a reason to celebrate!  I also have a handsome son in law back from Iraq - and Mike - your safe return and welcome presence is always something to celebrate.  Mandy and Ryan will be with Big J - in the Nations Capitol, celebrating big time with Obama.... or maybe not.. maybe just Mike Lee or Orrin Hatch or someone else that represents all that is questionally good in the nation.  Matt and Bethany will be in the other Washington, moving in new furniture after 6 years of hand-me-downs and never-complaining.  (Big D went to Cars 2 today with the Cars 2 Nanna hat on - sweet)(The 'Str went to visit Elizabeth - smart move there!)  Mike and Ashley are stealing boulders from the mountains for their back yard - now if that isn't patriotic - what is?  They are having rattlesnake stew for dinner followed by an aloe vera hot tubbing experience.... Ryan is hiking - he loves to hike, he's my nature child.  Tonight we'll throw on some lightening burgers, and play a little music in the back yard.  We'll be missing also Karin and Keith - and so please don't schedule any surgeries next year - because we aren't going to buy that excuse!  I do want to recall a little bit of my memories of growing up and the 4th of July.  We would always go to my Aunt Elda's, mom and the aunts packed in BBQ and salads and food galore.  We would stake out our place along the Hyrum Parade route - where the candy was a plenty.  I was terrified of running out and getting the candy - so - my mom would take some with her and just give it to me... I was afraid of tackling the kid next to me just for a piece of taffy.  Now.... I would take that sucker out and demolish him!  (see, I have changed over the years!)  I remember the smell of Gramma Chris's (Aunt Elda - we called her gma) kitchen - the brownies, and the watermelon, and the wet sweaty cousins who had been playing under her huge ginormous pine trees.  It was heaven, it was home, it was never missed.  It is deeply missed now.  Most people celebrate our freedoms - I celebrate the Hill Aunts and Uncles that kept our family together for many many years, and have deeply embedded love and security and family in my soul.  After a long day in Hyrum. my mom and dad did something very special.  (and you thought going to the gravel pit for Easter was strange)  Our house had a flat roof, and a chimney coming out of the middle of the house.  There was a huge apple tree next to the garage, and we all climbed up that tree (Mom, Dad, Eric and I)  We took blankets, popcorn, and root beer.  The four of us would spread out the blanket and lean against the chimney and from there we had the grandest spot to watch the fireworks in Logan.  Later on in life - Eric and I found out that we could acutally go into Logan and actually WATCH them from the stadium - but back then, with the four of us on the roof on a blanket.... I don't believe that my parents ever wanted to tell us the truth, they wanted us to be with them, and share those moments.  Of which - will never leave my heart, my soul or my memories.  So, kids, and grandkids, and in-law kids, all of which I am grateful for and love dearly... make sure to you take time to make a memory that will last through the years.  Don't forget to say.... "Ooooooooo, and Awwwwwww" after each explosion of color and sound.  We are Free, because so many people made sure we can be.  I am grateful for those people in my life, and for those that gave their lives so that I could live to tell my tale.  Happy 4th of July... and by darn - don't you be blowing you hands off with those blasted fireworks, burn your fingers off with those firecrackers, or poking your eyes out with those freakishly hot sparklers.................  (that was for you Mom, Aunt Elda, Aunt LeDean, Aunt Beth, Uncle Jay, Uncle Ray)     (oh goodie - the pioneer party is coming up next!)