Happy Birthday -- America!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA....land of the free and home     of the brave!
 

We always celebrate America's birthday with the ward flag-raising ceremony and breakfast, then we rush to Oakley as quickly as possible for the Oakley Town Parade.  It seems as though everyone who was born and raised in Kamas Valley attends this parade and it is as fun to see all of our old friends and acquaintances as it is to watch the parade.  For the last four years, I have sung with the Oakley  Community Choir, as they present a patriotic program at the Cattleman's Hall.  From the parade, we progressed over to the program and there enjoyed a beautifully inspiring program about the birth of our nation and the freedoms we enjoy today.  
By this time, we were all beginning to feel a little hungry, so the party progressed on to Chelsea's house, where she hosted the 4th of July luncheon.  Her yard is very "kid friendly" (including the neighbor's sand pile and water guns) and looked beautiful, as the Butikofer Family had spent family night with her and helped her mow and weed eat and get ready for the party. 

As I sat and looked at our family, I thought about each of our children and the birth of our family.  Rob -- the oldest and great example to all -- is an integral member of our family and even the grandchildren love to see "Uncle Rob" and watch him.  We all look up to him as an example. Billie Jo -- the organizer and ring leader -- keeps us all busily engaged and on our toes; along with Tim, whose heart is pure gold, and is willing to help any time anyone is in need.

Allen -- quick-witted but rigid -- keeps us all laughing, especially when the humor is not aimed at us! He is ambitious and a problem-solver and a great asset to our family.

Chelsea, has faced every challenge in her life with grace and humility.  She is strong, capable and independent, but also very caring and spiritually in tune.  She has introduced us to Spencer, who is fun-loving and has a great sense of humor.

Noah and Giselle are such lovely people to be around.  They are pleasant and kind and always see the positive side of things.  We are so happy they were able to move back to the Valley, so we could partake of their influence.  Then, what can I say about the man of my dreams?  Not only is he handsome, but he is kind, hard-working, loving, intelligent, fierce, bold and a great spiritual leader for our family.  Not only do I have the land that is choice above all others to be thankful for, but I also have an eternal companion who is choice as well!

The circle of life continues with our oldest, beautiful little Ellie Jo.  She is not only beautiful and smart, but she takes after her parents and is ambitious, helpful and kind.  She is a good little mother to her siblings and now is becoming the trusted, sought-after baby-sitter in the Valley.
Tess is in the first picture with Chelsea.  Tess has always been gentle, kind, organized and beautiful!  I have never heard Tess utter a terse word to anyone...I have only seen kindness and grace coming from this beautiful child!

Mia...Mama Mia!  Dynomite comes in small packages!  Not only is Mia named after my Mother (Mia Louise), but she fulfills the above favorite saying of Mom's.  Mia is a hard-charger!  She was so insulted because Aunt Giselle said that another dancer was "pumping it" more than any other dancers.  Mia told her Mother, "That just can't be true!  No one can pump can harder than me!!!  She is a doll and keeps up with anyone and everyone!

The Boys....not all the boys are here because the Gunnerson's went with the Gunnerson family, but The Boys are always having a good time!  Jack is full of knowledge and ideas, Evan has an imagination that goes above and beyond and Rajko had energy that never quits!  They are all so handsome, as well as being good little boys.  How lucky are we to have these little warriors in America's future!

We are so happy to have little Ayla Noelle as our latest little patriot!  How beautiful and sweet can one little bundle from heaven be?  Enough to inspire the rest of us to be better!

We are so happy to welcome Noah's parents...Lary and Tere...to the Valley.  They have come temporarily to help Noah get his business off and running.  These two are always smiling and pleasant.  I have never seen them down or discouraged.  These two people see the good in everything and make a day more enjoyable just being themselves.  We are happy to have them here and to be able to associate with them!

And so, America, the melting pot of people and personalities continue to grow and make us stronger and better.  We are so blessed to live in a land that is choice above all others and to be able to enjoy the blessings of peace and plenty in our lives.  May we all do our part in keeping this great nation free so that we may continue to received the blessings from above!