Oh, Say Can You See, By the Dawn’s Early Light!

Sheer excitement, bubbling anticipation, heart swelling with pride blistering with seeping emotion…I loved the 4th of July as a child. I loved the family gatherings with all my millions of cousins (okay, not that many, but a lot!), getting up at the crack of dawn to go to the church breakfast (complete with green eggs and charred bacon), watching the flag being raised in honor of those who have died in the name of continuing freedom, running to the hot-air balloon launch and loving to see if any new ones have been launched that year, finding the perfect front-row spot on the blanket draping Provo’s University Avenue eagerly waiting for the deafening cannon to herald the beginning of the parade, wishing so much to someday be the princess bedecked a top the fancy float (I need to feel that crown!), gorging on bbq and treats until I couldn’t eat any more, getting drenched in the chosen water activity of the day and ending the celebration oooh-ing and ahh-ing as the gorgeous fireworks rained down over our splayed out bodies. Years later, I still get excited for July 4th and the blessing it is to have my children experience the same traditions I did at their age. This year, Grammy Su and Grandpa Bar organized the Preator family reunion around the July 4th holiday. Brent and Stacey’s family flew in from Minnesota and John from L.A. (for not nearly enough time!) and we squeezed in as many activities as we could between waking and sleeping (often at Grammy Su’s house!) We attended a temple session at Mt. Timpanogos temple, ate at The Olive Garden, hiked from Nunn’s Park to Vivien Park (complete with adventure bags full of trinkets and treats the grandparents provided), had an outdoor breakfast, swam in Grammy’s backyard water park, took our first family picture in ten years (after spending much time trying to coordinate clothing for 27 people), floated the Provo river with rafts and a guide (thanks for the dunking, Kyle!), cruised University on motorcycles, celebrated the 4th, attended Mom and Dad’s ward as a whole family and took all the kids bowling. We loved hanging out with our family, sharing laughs, good food, and making lasting memories. Love you, Preator fam!