The 4th of July...and a few things left in June

It was a HAPPY 4th of July. (Or, at least she was happy...)

Just need the other 2 to cooperate...and Tyler to sit up straight! Oh well, this is the best family pic we have been able to catch in a REALLY long time.

And, I love that we are all wearing red, white and blue with the flag behind us...I felt like the 4th was a wonderful holiday to celebrate on Sunday!

It's nice to dress up in nice clothes, to show respect for a country we love, to stand and sing ALL the verses in the National Athem and other patriotic songs, and to reverently show how grateful we are to our Father in Heaven for a wonderful nation to call home. It is a good reminder of how happy we are to be in America, to be free, to have had many before us, and even now, fight and work to keep us free. We know we live in a very special place, a Land of Promise.... The last part of June was filled with blackberry hunts...We tried to go for walks as a family in the evenings, it was still pretty hot and sticky, but there are wild bushes all over the nieghborhood and we ended up with a LOT of berries after a few short walks...Enough to make 10 8oz jars of yummy jam! And with a bunch to use as toppings on yummy summer salads, fruit pizzas, and waffles!

And, finally, a couple of ok pictures of the "anniversary floor." Our carpet was a light orange by the back door (above left) and front (above right). Now, the entire main level, except for the living room and family room, is covered in this beautiful dark "wood", wide paneled, antiqued style laminate...which was incredibly affordable thanks to a bargain center store's sale! Might be our new FAVORITE store. (You will see why when I post pics of the new pergola/deck soon.)

Mainly due to the fact that we don't have much "real" grass and our yard IS a bunch of orange clay-dirt, the carpet was ALWAYS orange. This 8th anniversary present has made me feel a lot less stressed and anxious EVERY time the kids come in and out because it is sooo much easier to clean. Thanks Ty, for a great new floor and a wonderful 8 years! I am one lucky girl...We had to pay a little extra for this CUTE face, but it was worth it! :)