Independance Day Celebration

At last a post!
July was probably our busiest month yet! With all that's been going on in our life the blog does not make priority (along with the fact that having over 10,000 pictures on my computer to sort through slows it down a bit). So here is at least the first post of our busy month.

The day arrives
"He has declared to His people the power of His works,
In giving them the heritage of the nations"

Last minute preparations are made for speeches inside

As well as decorations outside

Meanwhile, William and Jack meet for the first time
They didn't quite seem to know what to think

As people arrive Melissa hands them a name tag with someone from the time of the War for Independence who helped the cause,
It was great how many people dressed up. It really gave an old fashioned feel to the day.

Four faces of the fourth:
Aidan Flynn

Seth Thomsen aka George Washington

Andy Eckerson

My bro Michael

William showing an interest in the Deceleration of Independence

Waiting for things to begin

The annual opening of Chester our first national anthem

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government."

Patrick Henry

The most tech savvy colonists you'll ever find.
Live updating different parts of the program

During intermission I grabbed some family photos of the four Niednagels... yup, you read that right, four. We are so excited for them and look forward to meeting my new nephew or niece in March!

The Master of Ceremonies and talk show host for To Tell the Truth

The contestants all saying they are the same person, but in the end one must tell the truth.
There is only one Henry Knox, one Patrick Henry, and one Elias Boudinot

25-year-old Colonel Henry Knox unbelievably moved 59 cannons 300 miles from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston. On the night of March 4, 1776, with wagon wheels wrapped in straw to muffle the noise, the cannons were strategically put on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston Harbor. The next morning, British troops were shocked.

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."
Patrick Henry

"Good government generally begins in the family, and if the moral character of a people once degenerate, their political character must soon follow."
Elias Boudinot

One of those random pictures I liked to much not to post

After eating the amtgards are brought out and teams are formed.
It starts with the little guys and makes its way up to...

The intimidating big guys!

The crowds look eagerly on...

As Jordan takes two at once

Eager participants for one of the favorite activities of the day...

English Country Dancing = A whirlwind of fun

Men in shadowed night...

Light the fuse for our delight.

I leave you for now with my ever so original title:
"Portrait of Emma"

Stay tuned for more of our July happenings!