We heard the Tea Party Express was coming through town and we decided we would make an afternoon of it and go! With kids! We have felt that it is important that we teach the kids that it matters if we do or do not take a stand. We try to teach them that every decision made brings consequences, good or bad. And that making no decision is still a decision, and that you will have to feel the effects of that choice also. We told them that this is THEIR country... and the choices that leaders are making today will involve them for many years to come and that we want to do what we can to ensure that they will live in a country that is free and strong and that they can have their families and have the opportunity to succeed or fail depending on their choices and actions! The kids really enjoyed themselves. More than I possibly thought possible. Of course the kids are all pretty politically minded anyway (can't imagine why!) and they have some pretty strong opinions... again, can't imagine why! I find it amusing that they have such strong personalities and have no problems talking to anyone, including the press.
Kassi was making signs for everyone. Hayden loved his sign and let everyone take pictures of him. He had conversations with people all over the park! And he and Kassi had a good conversation with FOX news!!!
I recently saw a quote from Thomas Jefferson that says: "I place economy among the first and most important of republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of dangers to be feared... To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude." Our country is out of control. I thought it interesting that we sat at this Tea Party with people from other countries who are wondering why we are asking for the very thing that they left! An old boss of Thayne's talked to him about the difference between his health care here, and what his brother is dealing with in their home country where government medicine is practiced. He said our care here so much better... yet we haven't got a clue about what we, as a country are asking for! Our country is amazing! I saw how amazing it can be as they had the vets stand up and come to the front, and as songs were sang in dedication to them. I watched every hat come off as Taps was played and I looked over and saw a man with tears running down his face. He was not a small man, but one that looked powerful and sure, and yet, he couldn't stop the tears. I watched the crowd cheer as each 'war hero' stepped forward and had chills as they sang in honor of those who fought and died, and those who were standing there after serving their country so well. I loved seeing the flags flying. I want my kids to understand that freedom isn't free... and that we have to take a stand. The government works for the people, the people do not work for the government and we have to let our voices be heard. When the government gets too big, it hurts everyone! Ezra Taft Benson said, "The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life."
Nate thinks this day is GREAT!
Kassi and the kids are over in the middle of the sign making!
Willie, Kalli and Hyrum
Hayden, our little politition! Working the crowd and showing off his sign!
Kinzee showing off her sign! 
Willie loves his sign!
Thayne and Willie showing off signs and posters!
Kami showing off her sign!
Nate loving the excitement of the day!
Sharon Angle showing us the health care bill that most have not even read.... She says she HAS, and put it in the orange binder because she feels that caution should be used because it could be deadly to us if it is passed!!!
Hayden working the room... or the park. He had talked to the lady in blue, let Diana Nagy take his picture with his sign claiming his parents are pro-life, he's #11.... he visited with the FOX news people and anyone else that wanted to talk to him. He helped the pro-life people pass out flyers and stickers too!
Diana Nagy singing to the vets...
Flags were flying as they sang in tribute to the vets... both those present at the party, and those that fought and gave their lives for our freedom! It was amazing!
Lloyd Marcus
The kids' signs created quite the stir and the photographer for the Tea Party asked us to stay after so she could get pictures of our family. One picture turned to many pictures but the kids were loving the whole experience, they love believing that getting involved can make a difference. Kassi leaned over and said, "It feels like we are famous or something!" It was so much fun. Lloyd Marcus took them over and gave them t-shirts and cd's after their pictures. Then took more pictures of them in their t-shirts (I don't have them because my camera battery died!). This was one of those memory making days that the kids that were there will never forget... and the ones that weren't there are wishing they were!!!
Many people felt the way this man does... "Redistribute my work ethic".... not our money!
Another great sign!
We loved this guy with his pitch fork letting us all know that he did not approve of this country leaning towards socialism!
Willie asked this guy if he could take a picture of his sign for my blog. The guy gladly let him!
Ready for the party to start!
Everytime the crowd clapped and cheered, Nate clapped and yelled too. When Thayne would whistle Nate would scream as loud as he could! He was a trooper and loved being at the party!
Kassi, Kami and Kinzee had gone to the museum before the party started...
Big cheers when the Tea Party Express busses rolled into town!
Lloyd Marcus getting everyone excited....
Lloyd Marcus getting us in the groove. He was amazing... check him out on youtube! The lady next to me was so cute. When Kalli and Kami came up and wanted to 'dance' with us she said it was so amazing to see our kids there. I told them we teach them young and teach them right... born and bred conservative Republicans all the way! :) She laughed and said she wishes her daughter got it, but that she was a flaming liberal! I gave her my condolences and we went back to dancing!
Nate's sign was a huge hit!
Kassi showing off her sign... My parent's are pro-life, I'm #7!
Enjoying the whole experience!
These are some of the vets that came forward to be honored.
Kassi, our drama girl... love ya Kass!
Kinzee........
Willie... are you texting??? How rude! :)
Playing on the slide!
Bummyyyyyyyyy....
Kassi, I think you are too tall to play in this!
Kassi cheesing as only Kassi can do!
Nater's playing...
This picture is actually really funny... Thayne saw her sitting over there, all alone, and it looked like she was pondering the meaning of life with Ronald... she didn't know the picture was taken and Thayne said he just laughs everytime he looks at it because she seemed so serious! After this picture all of the kids started cheesing with Ronald, but this is the picture that started it all!
Playing basketball!
Hyrum and Nate.... let's play ball!
Kinzee and Hyrum...
Kassi... and I promise she has pants that do NOT have holes in the knee... lots of them, and lots that we paid big money to actually have holes IN them... but these are her favorite and I can't argue when it comes to a favorite pair of jeans!
Kassi, Nater's and Willie
Kalli????
Kami... and Ronald! I think you are enjoying the ice cream silly girl!
My sweet Nater's!
Bummy taking a rest
Willie showing off his ice cream!
Nater's LOVES ice cream!!!
Sweet Kami Dene
Silly girls showing off!
Hyrum was hiding up high in the tree. He kept yelling for his dad but his dad couldn't see him! He thought it was hillarious that he had hid so well from his dad!
