America the Beautiful

Each year, the Jones family comes to Utah from Arizona to celebrate the 

4th of July with our family. 

 The tradition started in 2008, and it hasn't stopped.

We pretty much do the same activities every year, like;

swimming, hiking, ice cream, bike rides, late evening walks, 

staying up late, watching movies, having fireworks, etc.

 ("Jonesons" 2014)

Today, we took a stunning scenic drive behind the majestic Provo mountains.

As we drove through the lush green mountains, the song

"America the Beautiful" kept coming to mind.

I am so thankful for such a beautiful country in which to live.

I am deeply grateful to the men and women who sacrificed

 so much for my right to live free and happy in this wonderful country.

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea! 

 O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine! 

 Tomorrow, we will honor and celebrate the 229th birthday

 of this wonderful, marvelous, and blessed country!