America the Beautiful

I love the 4th of July! It's a great day to reflect on the birth of our country and of all the blessings we receive because we live in America, the promised land. President Ezra Taft Benson said, "Our Father in Heaven planned the coming forth of the Founding Fathers and their form of government as the necessary great prologue leading to the restoration of the gospel. Recall what our Savior Jesus Christ said nearly two thousand years ago when He visited this promised land: “For it is wisdom in the Father that they should be established in this land, and be set up as a free people by the power of the Father, that these things might come forth” (3 Ne. 21:4). America, the land of liberty, was to be the Lord’s latter-day base of operations for His restored church."

I am so grateful to live in this beautiful country and for gospel of Jesus Christ in my life!

Me encanta 4 de Julio! Es un dia de reflexionar sobre el nacimiento de mi pais y todas las bendiciones que recibo al vivir aca. El Profeta Ezra Taft Benson dijo, "Nuestro Padre Celestial planifico el nacimiento de los Padres Fundadores y su forma de gobierno como un necesario prologo que lleva a la restoracion del evangelio. Recuerde que dijo nuestro Salvador Jesucristo hace casi dos mil anos cuando visito esta tierra prometida: "Porque es segun la sabiduria del Padre que sean establecidos en esta tierra e instituidos como pueblo libre por el poder del Padre, para que estas cosas procedan " (3 Nefi 21:4) America, la tierra de libertad, iba a ser el base de operaciones del Senor en los ultimos dias para Su iglesia restaurada."

I also love the fun stuff about the 4th: BBQ's, Fireworks, Parades, and Family. We went to a BBQ and watched the fireworks at Nate's work! Here are a few pictures:

Tambien me gustan las cosas divertidas de este feriado como: asado, fuegos artificiales, desfiles, y la familia! Fuimos a un asado en el trabajo de Nate y vimos los fuegos artificiales ahi tambien. Aca estan algunas fotos:

Nikolas learned how to put his hand over his heart for the National Anthem! Isn't that cute? He wasn't quite sure what to think about the fireworks at first. He was on my lap and as soon as they started, he grabbed me and then grabbed Cristian's head. He was so worried about us. It was like he was afraid we were going to get hurt. Mom and Dad and Grandma Bonnie were behind us and he turned around and starting yelling, "Mama, Papa" (his way of saying grandma and grandpa). He seriously thought we were all in danger!! Poor kid! So, he ran to Grandma and sat with her. She assured him that we were all fine and got him excited about the fireworks! He ended up loving them and wanted to make sure we were all watching!!

Nikolas aprendio a poner la manito sobre el corazon durate el Himno Nacional! Que lindo, no? Al principio no le gustaron los fuegos artificiales. Cuando empezaron nos agarro a mi y a Cristian y estaba bien preocupado. Era como si pensara que nos ibamos a lastimar. Mi mama y papa y mi abuela estaban sentados atras y Niko se dio vuelta y empezo a gritar sus nombres. El penso que estabamos en peligro! Pobrecito! Entonces se fue a sentarse con la abuela Brenda. Ella le aseguro que estabamos todos bien y que los fuegos eran "divertidos"! Al final le encanto y se aseguraba que todos estabamos viendo!