find joy in the journey: celebrating the 4th

Hello! My name is Shannon. I live in the desert with my husband Scott and 3 kids (Conner, Payton, Anna). I have been blogging since 2005 and I love to write about my family, everyday life, dating my husband, projects and parties, memory keeping, being a mom, faith, setting and working towards goals, and finding joy in the journey.
Thank you so much for dropping by!

Thomas S. Monson - I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey -- now.

since 1999 // about us

Payton // Anna // Conner

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celebrating the 4th

posing with the flag . . . . I just love the looks on the kids' faces! They are cracking up simply because the wind was blowing the flag back and forth over their heads. I continue to be delighted as I see them growing older and still taking joy in the simplest things.

battling with tanks . . . an essential part of our 4th of July celebrations. So important, in fact, that we ran around to 4 different fireworks stands just to find them!

eating our red, white, & blue . . . . we made these cool layered drinks (modeled by my handsome husband), a patriotic fruit pizza, and also some stained glass Jell-O (not pictured)

barbecuing with friends . . . thankful to receive an invite for some swimming & BBQ-ing. For me, the perfect 4th of July formula is parade + BBQ + driveway fireworks. We didn't make it to a parade in the morning (too hot for me) so being able to gather with friends for a BBQ helped make the day feel just right.

trying something new . . . we were pretty sure that we could get a good view of the local fireworks show from our balcony. At least we hoped so! We gathered our party of 5 on the balcony with chairs, glowsticks, popcorn, M&M's, Junior Mints, and an oscillating fan for cool comfort and waited with anticipation.

watching the fireworks show . . . success! We had a great view of the show and what better, more convenient location than our own house. :)

moving the party to the front . . . . along with our popcorn and bowl of Junior Mints that melted on the hot sidewalk. Yummy. As an added bonus to our fireworks show on the ground, there was a nice little aerial show going on a couple streets over in our perfect view.

loving the fiery brilliance of it all . . . . pop, pop, crackle, crackle, pop

ending with sparklers . . . I love taking these kinds of photos. The streaks and patterns of light never ceases to amaze me. Last year I shared a few tips for taking sparkler photos here. This year my settings were a little different: ISO 1600, f/16, shutter 0"8

Just as the last sparkler burned out the raindrops started to fall from the sky. What a great way to wrap things up . . . . monsoon rains, thunder, and lightning flashing outside as we curled into bed and slept heavily after a wonderful day.

Posted on Monday, July 07, 2014 at 05:00 AM in july 4th | Permalink

Comments

posing with the flag . . . . I just love the looks on the kids' faces! They are cracking up simply because the wind was blowing the flag back and forth over their heads. I continue to be delighted as I see them growing older and still taking joy in the simplest things.

battling with tanks . . . an essential part of our 4th of July celebrations. So important, in fact, that we ran around to 4 different fireworks stands just to find them!

eating our red, white, & blue . . . . we made these cool layered drinks (modeled by my handsome husband), a patriotic fruit pizza, and also some stained glass Jell-O (not pictured)

barbecuing with friends . . . thankful to receive an invite for some swimming & BBQ-ing. For me, the perfect 4th of July formula is parade + BBQ + driveway fireworks. We didn't make it to a parade in the morning (too hot for me) so being able to gather with friends for a BBQ helped make the day feel just right.

trying something new . . . we were pretty sure that we could get a good view of the local fireworks show from our balcony. At least we hoped so! We gathered our party of 5 on the balcony with chairs, glowsticks, popcorn, M&M's, Junior Mints, and an oscillating fan for cool comfort and waited with anticipation.

watching the fireworks show . . . success! We had a great view of the show and what better, more convenient location than our own house. :)

moving the party to the front . . . . along with our popcorn and bowl of Junior Mints that melted on the hot sidewalk. Yummy. As an added bonus to our fireworks show on the ground, there was a nice little aerial show going on a couple streets over in our perfect view.

loving the fiery brilliance of it all . . . . pop, pop, crackle, crackle, pop

ending with sparklers . . . I love taking these kinds of photos. The streaks and patterns of light never ceases to amaze me. Last year I shared a few tips for taking sparkler photos here. This year my settings were a little different: ISO 1600, f/16, shutter 0"8

Just as the last sparkler burned out the raindrops started to fall from the sky. What a great way to wrap things up . . . . monsoon rains, thunder, and lightning flashing outside as we curled into bed and slept heavily after a wonderful day.