Independence Day

O 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,
through 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.
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
o'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave?

O thus be it ever,
when freemen shall stand
between their loved homes
and the war's desolation!
Bles't with victory and peace,
may the heaven-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 we trust."
And the star-spangled banner
in triumph shall wave
o'er the land of the free
and the home of the brave!

Frances Scott Key, 1814

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AMERICA (or rather a little late Happy Birthday)!!! Better Late than never with a 4th of July post:) I hope that all of you had a fabulous 4th!!! I can't help but reflect back on all that took place for our country to gain it's independence....the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom will be forever remembered. 

Well, how did you spend the 4th? I spent Independence day baking and decorating for a party, snapping a few pictures, watching fire crackers in the street, and visiting with friends.  

Blouse: Minnie Muse (Men's Re-Fashioned shirt);
Shorts: Garage Sale (Re-Fashioned);
Necklace: Wallmart

During a quick break in the midst of our party plans I managed to escape and snap a few pictures of my ensemble. I am definitely one of those people who LOVES to get dressed up in Red, White, and Blue for the 4th. This years  ensemble was particularly patriotic in every way:) I had picked up these red shorts at a garage sale a few years back and decided to re-fashion them by adding a couple rows of eyelet lace for cuteness and length (tall girl problems). They turned out fabulous and were so fun to wear. I had originally planned to wear an embroidered white tank top with the shorts but ended up with this light blue and whit stripped re-fashioned men's shirt that I tied in the front. Of course the only thing left was a necklace and this three strand blue bead necklace did the trick. 

Oh, and lets not forget about Patriotic nails!!! By all means lets gather up our nail polish the night before and paint our nails like the American flag. Thus is the tradition in our house (my brother was even known to have painted toes when he was younger, hehe). 

Yes, I cut my hair even shorter (though I cannot really tell). However, when curled I look like Shirley Temple (who I always aspired to be with sponge rollers when I was younger) and thus I donned 50's curls on the 4th. Such fun to have bouncy curls over your head and a ribbon in your hair:)

Do I seem like a big 4th of July fan??? Maybe? But honestly I am a fan of most any holiday and use all as an excuse to decorate and throw a party (thanks to my inner party planner). Of course the 4th is extra special because it is "All American" and no other country has 4th of July.

Thanks to my Best Friend Libby we had plenty of hands on deck Saturday morning into the afternoon baking, cleaning, decorating, organizing, etc. for the party at 6:00. And what is more fun than having your best friend over to help with party plans:)

And of course your sister and her friend are recruited to help with the party also. Thus making for a day of giggles, pictures, homemaking skills, and memories. 

Lemon Lime Punch from The Pioneer Woman 

Madison, Moriah, Asten, Elizabeth

The 4th of July is all about family, friends, and fellowship. I am so blessed to call these girls friends. We laugh together, cry together, get mad at people together, freak out together, and do life together. Life wouldn't be the same without them. We are all different in our own ways and each one of us adds something to the group

 (which we dubbed "The Posse").

Of course what are group pictures without a laughing snapshot (planned or not planned)!!

EPIC FAIL!!! Have you tried to do a sparkler writing picture? Well.....lets just say it is harder than it looks and Um....I need a bit more practice but still somewhat cool/blurry pictures all the same, LOL :)

Yet, what would the 4th be without the "All American" hot dog, Homemade hand spun Vanilla Ice cream, Lemonade or red, white, and blue cupcakes? When night comes suddenly you hold burning sticks which sparkle like fairy glitter and watch as burning paper tubes send colorful explosions into the night sky ???? Boys suddenly become pyromaniacs, loose Black Kats might get accidentally tossed your way and miniature battles explode in the center of the street. Smoke fills the air, fire burn in front of your face and you better extinguish sparks lest you start a fire. Yet these are the traditions of the 4th (for me at least) and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

"Here's to celebrating our freedom and remembering our history!"

God Bless America!

Did you do anything fun on the 4th?

Do you have any 4th of July traditions?

P.S. Don't forget to stop on over to STANDOUTgirlTM and catch this weeks post Here