Happy Fourth

We had no plans for the Fourth of July. I woke up with one task in mind. Make dessert. I didn't know what I would be eating for dinner, but I knew what I would be eating for dessert. Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert to be exact. I then cleverly used the following picture to bribe my sister into inviting us to their Fourth of July festivities.

Which worked. Duh! 

So for having zero plans, I have to say, it was one of the best days. We had yummy food with all the Peterson clan {not just Beth's family, but all her in-laws, whom I like very much} and then we swam it up for a few hours. {Not pictured, we were having too much fun.} Then, we ate dessert and had our own fireworks show right in front of their house.

Have I mentioned what a great day it was? I wish I could do it all over again. Thank you, Petersons! I am so grateful to live in a country that allows us to have great days like this.

The Star Spangled Banner

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!