For Amber Waves of Grain

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

The Fourth of July came in and went out with a bang!  The Sunday before Indepenence Day, Dave spoke in church and told about the part of the song "America, the Beautiful" where it talks about "Amber waves of grain" and how he's been thinking that's where we live and it certainly is beautiful!  Soon, we will be living closer to the purple mountain majesties.  And no matter where we are, this country and what it stands for is beautiful!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved,

And mercy more than life!

The Monday before, we colored pictures and made treats for three who have served in our military.  They were surprised and grateful and it's good for our kids to get out there and serve and be thankful to those who have served us.

We woke to beautiful, spacious skies - love living in Big Sky country!  Then, the best way to wake up on any holiday - with a yummy breakfast.  The kids helped make red, white and blue red velvet waffles.  Oh, decadent breakfast.  We also made fruit flag pancakes that week. 

We had to go pick Dave up from the airport.  So we got to Wolf Point and then went to load up on some fireworks!  The kids were excited to pick their own.  Their favorite this year?  The Pooping Doggy, oh sheesh!

Speaking of doggies, we were watching the Fund's dogs for them while they were away and on the Fourth, they wanted freedom too.  They kept digging out and escaping out of their dog run all day!  We even heard an announcement on the radio that they were on the loose as we were coming home. Silly dogs!  So that kept us busy lots of the day!

We went over to Kris & Sherie's for a barbeque for lunch.  They are such great friends that have treated us like family and we will miss them so! 

In the afternoon, we went to the pool party.  It was fun and the kids enjoyed being with many of their friends for one of the last times.  They even had snow cones, which was a hit.  We will miss our pool and friends. 

That night, we came home with the Williamses and ate pizza and lit off our fireworks.  Dang phone that only takes terrible pictures.  They loved sparkler spells, the confetti fireworks (which were a pain to clean up!), the Egg Laying Chicken, the Tutle and the Pooping Dog best.  Then we went to the fair grounds for our town fireworks, and the sun was still going down so there was some color, it was neat!  Fireworks actually lasted 22 minutes, yes I timed it!  I was shocked it was that long.  It was a beautiful way to end the night! 

O Beautiful for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam,

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea!