Happy Birthday America

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. Cherished memories of the 4th include Cherry Days in North Ogden; Farr West's 5 minute parades; and adding the newly formed Fremont High School Marching Band to the Farr West parade when Melanie was a junior. It was the first time in decades they had a band in the parade - and the community was so excited to have them. That year we shuttled band members to the Plain City, Farr West and Hooper parades! One of Dave's favorite 4th of July activities was lighting the fireworks in Farr West - it was hot, sweaty work, but he loved it and recruited family and friends to help him as each year the budget increased and the show grew. The last year he was in charge of the fireworks, he set the grass next to the freeway on fire! After that the fire department took over the job. The 4th of July also has some very sad memories for our family as the last few weeks of Dave's too short life were over the 4th time period. Each 4th of July brings remembrances of that difficult time, but also great memories of happy celebrations, and the opportunity to spend time together as a family.

This 4th of July was a great day. The Nay's and Sander's came for a BBQ and a lazy afternoon. We had Grandma Davis with us too. We missed the Clark's - but are sure they were having a fun day at Wayne's family reunion.

As I lay in bed this morning listening to the 13 rounds of the cannon being fired to bring in the Independence Day celebration in this beautiful community I live in, my heart was full in appreciation of the blessings I have because I live in America, in Utah and in this little town of Kaysville. The past few weeks, the 3/4 block long Davis High Marching Band has been marching up and down the streets in my neighborhood preparing for today's parade. The neighborhood children flock to the side of the streets to watch the band pass by, and then run along the side of the street with them. It could easily be the scene of a Norman Rockwell painting. The crowds who swarm into town for the parade probably triple or quadruple the population of Kaysville. It is a homecoming much loved by so many who have or currently do call Kaysville home. The city provides a fireworks show which lasts a full half hour, orchestrated with music and providing an amazing display of color. I love the fireworks. Watching them causes feelings of love and pride for this country I am blessed to live in well up and overflow. I love America. I am so blessed.