4th of July Run-Down

In preparation for the small town of Corsica's 4th of July parade, my daughter, Katy, and I made some signs to attach to the horse-drawn wagons that her inlaws, husband and kiddles were taking through the festivities. 50 years of participation in the annual parade! Wow! Chris's family is a good bunch, with the mom and all five brothers and their families living in the same general area. They're very community-minded and from all reports, great neighbors to have. Katy's fortunate to have them as a part of her extended family. Here is a photo of Madelyn, Xavier and Jaxson (along with cousins) in the one wagon before everyone else loaded in.

And another photo showing Chris, my son-in-law, as he's holding the horses prior to the parade. I was proud of myself getting this pic since he isn't always so easy to catch. Of course, he's a big goofball, as you can tell by the pic... but a lot of fun to be around! I'm pretty blessed in the son-in-law department, that's for sure!

My husband, Dusty, had hauled a dirt track race car belonging to one of his employees, Bucky, so that he and his family could drive it through the parade. Somehow Dusty managed to hitch a ride through the parade with his sister, Christy, in their push jeep. Isn't it cool-looking? Since opening night, Dusty has taken his wrecker and/or tiltbed out to Thunder Mountain Speedway and enjoys pushing the cars, hauling out the wrecks or breakdowns, etc., or whatever else they might need him to do during the races. Well, he got Christy and her husband, Jim, to give it a try and they're hooked. Now they're Friday night die-hard "pushers" in their jeep! Along with their son, Jesse, and Dusty, they took their jeep through the parade, throwing candy, of course, and I think people really enjoyed it! You can also see Bucky's car trailing close behind. Dusty provided Bucky and his gang with a bunch of candy to throw as well... it's a "must" for a small-town parade!

The parade was a good time and the kids had a blast, which is what it's all about to me anyway. Dusty and I then enjoyed having Devon and Cory over for a grilled steak dinner after which we took some chairs up to our upper property and sat down to watch the neighbor's fireworks display. Let me tell you, they're absolutely fantastic for a backyard venue! They set them off in groups and there is almost constant color in the sky. None of this "shoot one off at a time" stuff!

Katy and Chris and the kids were there watching the fireworks as well since they were enjoying a cookout at friends who rent from us up on that property. It was all the more fun to listen to everyone's comments as the fireworks exploded across the night sky! God bless America, land that I love!

Hope you had a great celebration and took time to thank God for our nation and pray that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms we so take for granted!

Blessings!