Grilling and Fireworks

We went to Denny's for breakfast and accomplished a lot of errands during the day.  To our surprise, the outlets in Traverse Mountain had some great 4th of July sales. We bought a few things for baby brother and I got some new white sandals. Afterwards, the girls and I did 4th of July manicures and pedicures! Later that evening, we gathered at our usual spot for BBQ and fireworks with some extended family. My niece brought a playpen for the babies to hang out! Little brother absolutely loved the fireworks especially the sparklers!  He was mesmerized by anything that exploded colorful lights through the air!  Pleasant Grove does a great firework show that lasts about 30 minutes long!  It's not much of a hassle to get out of there compared to Stadium of Fire since we live down the street.

Our Happy Independence Day!

First, we started off the day by seeing Despicable Me 2.  We didn't want to bring the baby so John and little sis went first then big sis and me went last. It was a very funny movie! I absolutely love the minion's quirky personalities!  Next, we took a nap for a few hours after the movie. Then that evening we went to a BBQ with some family and friends at a near by school.  Lastly, we ended the night watching the Pleasant Grove fireworks! It was a lazy and fun fourth of July! No stress and hassle free!  That is how we roll on Independence Day!

All American Family Scrap Pages

Happy Fourth of July!

Stars and Strips Forever, 2009

Credits: I used the "Summer Cottage" kit by Shabby Princess and I used sabrina font and love ya like a sister font.

A Sparkling Good Time, 2010

Credits: The template is by  The paper and elements are from "Celebrate" kit by Shabby Princess, which is a free kit.  As for the fonts, I used arial and Catherine's college days.

July 2012 Family Fun Events

1. July 4, 2012 We celebrated Independence Day with our usual yummy BBQ and watching fireworks at Pleasant Grove Junior High with family members. Our dog Jagger hated the fireworks, poor pup! 

 2.  July 14, 2012 We went to the Payson Scottish Festival to see the Campbell family who were selling some darling homemade Scottish Dolls. We enjoyed listening to the bag pipes and drums as well as watching the dancers.  As for food/drinks, we bought a large bottle of cream soda, twisted tators, and Boston cream funnel cake! Later we stopped at Daley Freez for dinner, which was my favorite place to eat while living in Payson. We parked at Salem Pond to eat our food. So many memories flooded my mind thinking about my long bike rides to Salem pond, hanging out at Payson Memorial Park listening to band concerts, etc. I had some fun childhood memories growing up in a small town called Payson...

 

Later that same day, we went fishing at Manila Creek! We didn't have much luck catching anything. Little Sis caught a small blue gill, which we put back in the water.  We enjoyed walking in the sand and cool water.  There was an incredible sunset too.  

 3. July 16, 2012 Uncle Nate invited us, sister, nephew, and Hahn girls (my ex step brother's kids) to swim and watch movies at his house. We ate pizza and junk food.

4.  July 20-22, 2012 Lastly, we went to the cabin in the Unitas with my brother Nate, my sister Karen as well her her sons, and Hahn family.  We had a blast playing card games, swimming in a stream, eating BBQ foods, watching movies, busting moves with Just Dance 3, and enjoying the quiet away from city life!

 
 I ♥ my family!!! 

What Is An American?

After looking thoroughly through my mother's book of remembrance, I found a copy of my mother's “What Is An American?” essay, which she wrote in 1971!  It was the essay that she received the George Washington Honor Medal Award at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  It was buried beneath other documents in her plastic sheets in her book of remembrance.  I was so thrilled to read it and felt her American patriotism.  

My Mother at Otis Air Force Base 

July 4, 1971

Ambassadors of World Affairs

Neighbors of the World

Dear Neighbors,

Our country began with 101 passengers and a crew of 48 on a ship called the "Mayflower" which landed on Cape Cod, Massachusetts in November 1620.

They came here searching for religious freedom from their native country England and found it.  Ever since that day a lot of you have come here to live.  People from France, Spain, Italy, Japan, South America, and Africa came to find a welcome mat.

Each of us came here for happiness, freedom, and believing that all men were created equal.  For many years, we tested ourselves in these beliefs and battled till one day we became an independent nation.

Even today we are tempted by war, witnessing freedom by bitter peace, and bearing many burdens as any nation would.  We have a choice in who is to represent us in the government called a Democracy.  It is not always perfect as we would like it to be, but we have more than one choice. Our greatest enemy is the wars we fight in ourselves.  We do not have confidence in ourselves unless we have faith in the wisdom of those who lead us.

This country is of law and order.  We help make the laws since they protect us from those who want our freedom as well as their own.  I want to be your friend and everyone's friend.  We like to help those who need us. Many of you suffer from hunger, misfortunes, and are battling for your own freedoms.  Many lives have been sacrificed on this land and at work already with hope to make this a world of peace for us all.

We've earned this heritage, learning from hardships, and having faith even though it asks more of us than we can get in return.  Our courage, tolerance, and vision is for progress.  We work hard and try to be compassionate to those who do not feel the same as us.

Everyday I see the eternal peace in my heart as I salute the flag of this continent. Its red, white, and blue colors waving in the breeze mean so many things to me.

People respect my opinion.  Someone may judge me, but I'm not guilty till they prove it.  Every Sunday I can worship God as I please.

I can always find a friend.  I never cry for long, never go to bed hungry, and someone will miss me when I die.  There are as many different people here as in the tribes of Israel.  Out of all of us, we become one in judgment of God.

At night I can sleep and awake to bells ringing.  I think those bells are called, "Bells of Freedom." In gratitude I say, I'm glad to be an American.

Yours Sincerely, An American

Sergeant Jill Dawn Killitz,  United States Air Force

Worthen Family Reunion, July 2011

On July 1-2, 2011, we attended a huge family reunion on my husband's side of the family in Beaver, Utah.  Our family was in charge of everything this year (food, games, activities, clean up assignments, etc).  There were a total of 29 Frees representing our side of the family.  That is surprisingly a small number this year; however, we enjoyed being among every single one of them as well as mingling with the extended family members!

We arrived early on Friday afternoon to set up camp and got ourselves organized.  John and I were in charge of preparing dinner that night.  So we spent a lot of time in the kitchen making frog eye salad, chopping veggies, warming chili, and later that evening John helped with frying yummy scones.

Friday Dinner Crew

Justin, Keli, John, Nita, Me, and Marilee

Friday Night Entertainment

The Friday night entertainment included the following: the Worthen siblings talking about their favorite memories growing up with Grandma and Grandpa Worthen, playing card games, getting into groups reading/doing skits about our ancestors, eating scones, while kids played on the see saw, trampoline, and playground. 

 We "roughed it" in a tent that night and slept comfortably listening to the sound of crickets in the dry desert among juniper and sage...  We woke up around 7:00 AM ready to do some service projects, eat amazing food, and play games later on!!!

Saturday Morning Service Projects

There were three service projects, which John's brother Matt set up.  John, Matt, Keli, Justin, extended cousins, and I picked the least popular one picking up garbage on the side of the road.  Our daughters helped paint a white fence with Dave, Kristin, Jessica, Madison, Jeremy, Elena, etc, while several other family members went to the rest home to perform a patriotic program (singing and musical instruments).

Fun Family Reunion Activities

My brother in-laws (Joe and Dave) thought it would be cool to engage in type of activities that were around when John's grandparents were married in 1927.  Many people played several card games, made some crafts, jump roped, played marbles, ping pong, golf, horse shoes, tether ball, had potato races, and ate cotton candy.   We had a lot of fun interacting with many cousins and doing many simple activities.

Crafts: Sling shots and Clothes Pin Dolls 

Let The Games Begin!!!

The Worthen siblings: Aunt Leola, Granny Free, Aunt Carlita, Aunt Shelia, Uncle Dick, and Uncle Claire!

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From left to right are Rich, Marilee, John, Jen, Grandpa, Matt, Grandma, Joe, Diana, Dave, and Kristin.

 

4th of July Paragonah, Utah

We decided to stay at Granny's house until 4th of July.  We spent a lot of great time with Joe and Dave's families.  There were 19 of us at Granny's small house.  We were outside in their trailer, while several bodies slept on the floor, couches, etc.  Joe set up a tent for his family in the back yard.  We went to church with all of them on Sunday.  We had a peaceful Sunday taking naps, reading scriptures, and taking a walk.  The next day a couple of us went jogging for 30 minutes (Jessica, Dave, Josh, Andrew, and myself).  I was the slowest but they were sure patient with me!  Next, we showered and ate breakfast.  Then headed over to Parowan to the 4th of July parade. It was a simple parade.  There were tons of candy tossed, loads of trackers, and farm animals.  What we liked best about the country folk parade is the fact that we were able to show up 15 minutes before it started, got great seats, and were home 10 minutes after the parade was over.  Now that is my kind of 4th of July parade! The Provo parade is over rated!!!  We left granny's house after lunch so that we could make it home in time to have a BBQ with Uncle Duane, Matt's family, Justin, and Keli.  Around this time frame, is when my dear sweet mother passed away and I was not notified until the next night.

 Although we had a wonderful 4th of July this year, this holiday will never be the same for me since my Mom passed away on Independence Day.  In the years to come, I will always remember the great memories of my mother.  May her spirit rest in peace.  I love you, Mom!  XOXOX

A Sparkling Good Time!

July 4, 2010

Our memories of the 4th of July this past year were spent with family members. We didn't go to the Freedom Festival 4th of July parade that morning. John is not a huge fan of it. One thing he does appreciate is the jet fly over and being among the military officers He dislikes the traffic, parking, and huge crowds. I think most of his parade issues come from doing marching band during high school. In addition, his bad memories of parades include wearing polyester uniforms! I do try to encourage him to go for the kid's sake every couple of the years! So we went to a few yard sales that morning and made plans for the evening. We attended a BBQ with family members (Dave/Kristin/kids, Matt/Chiaki/kids, Granny/Grandpa, and Manoel with his friend Hailey. In addition, some extended family were there such as John's Uncle Duane and some of his kids (Jen/Ramon/kids, Jenny/Doug/kids, and Mandy/Brian/kids). We each brought our own meat and shared a dessert or side dish. We made our famous multi-layer ice cream 4th of July Jello (normal red, red cream layer, normal blue, blue cream layer, repeating over and over then a whipping cream layer on the top). It was delicious! Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of it. As usual, it was one of the favorite desserts and the first one completely gone. We had the BBQ at the Pleasant Grove Junior High soccer field. Later that evening we watched the Pleasant Grove fireworks. The fireworks were beautiful however, there were a couple of malfunctioned fireworks that were shooting off towards the people on the lawn. Nobody got seriously hurt but a couple people got some minor burns. It was really scary but we were impressed with how the local Fire Department handled the situation. I must admit the Stadium of Fire fireworks are over-rated! The city of Pleasant Grove can put on a pretty good show and we are 5 minutes away from home!