Nathan Todd Petersen: My country Tis of Thee.. Sweet land of Liberty!

We had a great 4th of July... We had our annual grilling picnic, croquet game and fireworks! Adam brought some of his college friends over, because Mom and Dad made a lot of food. We grilled steaks. We played croquet.. Do you know how long it takes to play with 11 people??? A VERY LONG TIME. We started when it was very light outside, and ended after it got dark! This year.. My dad won... Matt and I came in 2nd and my mom came in 3rd. Everyone else got out in between. Derek and Katie were there, along with Kalynn. When it came down to the last few people, I told Matt that I didn't want to get my parents out first... and since Matt was on my team,.. he went after other people. Then in the end... I we went out front and lit up fireworks while we ate mud pie.. that is also a tradition. Also, Kalynn making rice crispy squares is another tradition. Yep.. the 4th of July is a fun tradition.

Kalynn, me and Matt.. Kalynn what a pose!

Adam's college friends.. they always seemed to be trailing us all. Adam set up the course and he put the hooks around the edges of the cement and when your ball would get near it.. it always seemed to travel across the cement and into a bush or something... It was a frustrating course, which is one reason it took so long!

Katie and Brogden with the sparklers

The fireworks... we thought they would be Bigger and Higher but they were small and close to the ground... Never buy in a large package.. they rip you off!