*4th of July

     When I was a little girl, there used to be a huge 4th of July pageant every year in Ridgecrest called "My Country 'Tis of Thee."  I LOVED being in the 4th of July program.  For awhile, it grew to be so big they had to add some extra dances and songs and one even included having a child dress up like the statue of liberty.  Then it started to dwindle down.  Eventually, there just weren't enough kids (or parents) to support it so they stopped doing it.
     A lot more young families have moved to Ridgecrest in the past 5 years or so and there was speculation about whether or not we have enough kids to do the 4th of July program again.  They sent around a sign up sheet and of course I signed our kids up.  There still weren't enough kids to do the whole program but they decided to do a mini program for the kids who did sign up.  The hope was that the mini program might spark some interest in doing the big program again.  They learned a few of the songs from the 4th of July program and sang them at the morning flag raising ceremony at the Stake Center.  All the kids wore red, white, or blue T-shirts.  I couldn't resist and made some red, white, and blue hair things for my girls.
     Kevin and Cynthia (and Emma and Adam) came to visit Ridgecrest during the 4th of July so they came to the program too.  Then that evening we went to my parents' house and got out the go-cart and did fireworks.

Lots of people helped by being in the band too.

See Mackenzie? (Middle row, white shirt)

See Natalee and Haylee? (back row, white and blue shirts)

They ended by waving American flags, just like in the big 4th of July program.

Mackenzie Rae

Haylee Breann

Natalee Marie

Nathan and Haylee

There was a beautiful sunset that evening.

Cynthia giving Adam and Kelsey a ride.

Mackenzie

Natalee

Haylee about to take Daren for a drive.

Kelsey

Silly Kelsey :)