July 4 – Happy 236th!
It all started here - boys in their first parade on a float representing the Aquatic Center where they take swimming lessons. They loved relaxing, eating candy, and watching all the sights!
Then we had a casual fire and pizza time with dear friends and patriots, Matt and Melodie (although I am not sure why they were in black and white!). We had a great time kicking off the festivities with Matt showing us how to properly form up and salute the flag while Sam played the national anthem. Once we were officially "at ease" we fell out to pizza and catching up.
Reading some famous quotes about the Fourth of July - and guessing to whom they should be attributed. As you might imagine, Dave and Matt did very well at this! We burned the quotes upon reading. Seemed fitting somehow. Sam read one, too.
Some monster s'more eating!!!! I love this shot 🙂
Buffy came out back to celebrate with us. Here the boys are giving her select blades of grass to nibble on. Their little heads formed a heart shape over her. Seeing the setting sun dance on the grass in front of them while they tenderly cared for their young hen was just about as moving as hearing the Star Spangled Banner dance off my son's fingers on his loud guitar, or the stirring of bagpipes within the soul. (Dave says he's not moved to tears by bagpipes - clearly he is not Scottish!).
The pictures above give you a sense of the day. Please click for Sam playing his guitar to open festivities this afternoon. He started out with a warm-up (Gramma will love this – Amazing Grace) and at precisely 4:04 he hit the national anthem for us. We love that his amp is battery-powered. 6 AAs, baby, and we can fire it up anywhere! Anyone need a little Star Spangle in their Banner? In the T&C parking lot? First day of school? The opportunities are endless! But do enjoy this front-porch stage  performance: http://www.kampkrug.com/video/2012_July_4_Star_Spangled_Banner.wmvÂ
OK, you’ve grabbed my heart with this sensitive post. As dad used to say, you sure can wax poetic. Yep, I cried, but it started earlier even than Amazing Grace. It was the sense of your whole day. How beautiful. Sam, your contribution with Amazing Grace and The Star Spangled Banner, played with the stage presence of a young man twice your age, was certainly a highlight. You didn’t even miss a beat when Matt and Melodie’s car came down the driveway. And Davey, the new fire pit you guys built is an obvious gathering place for your family and for friends. It’s your “O’ahu”. I miss you all, but happily look forward to being at your O’ahu in just a few weeks. Lots of love to each of you.
Sam, I love that you can play those beautiful songs that mean so much to so many. You certainly must be proud, and rightly so, of what you have learned and are able to play. Thanks so much for sharing all of that with all of us. We love you ALL!! Ben, you have grown so much I hardly recognize you in the pictures. What are you eating??? Chicken feed??? haha. Have a wonderful week.
Love, Grammie and Grandpa!!
Sam – a big Hooah to you for the National Anthem!!! and Amazing Grace!
Sam and Ben – your tender loving care for your hens is very “touching”!
Allison – how is Merlin getting along with everyone?
Love to all,
Merlin is confused about why some of the chickens are so small and others so big. He is wondering why the little ones peep all the time and get under foot. Crossing fingers and toes my gradual graduation plan keeps everyone alive!
It was a great day with a great family. It was an honor to share the 4th of July with the Krug Clan!
A really great way to celebrate….thank you for your slice of Americana! So look forward to seeing you all soon!
Love,