We had a wonderful time at the Thomas family's annual 4th of July bash - as usual! This was the best year yet (they just keep getting lovelier :) and we all had the time of our lives.

After working on our play daily for over a month, we were so blessed to be able to perform for over 100 people and have it wonderfully received. God was so gracious in giving us the strength to pull it off - may His name be praised!

Hope you enjoy the pictures half as much as we enjoyed living it! :)

I love shucking corn - but not when I'm dying of nervousness, which was the case here. :)

Pa and Rebekah before the show begins - aren't they cute?

We felt very "official" this year, having our own firing squad and all. Fortunately, no one misbehaved and all the shooting that took was place was a simple salute. :)

The gents from the left: Jon, Mr. Thomas, Josh, Mr. Lueken, Mr. Axberg and Michael.

Chris reads the Declaration of Independence.

"One drummer drumming! Nine pipers piping!"

I love the merging of eras in this picture. Here we have Mrs. Thomas the colonial lady holding...what's that? A camera?!?!?!?

Samantha Axburg as the beautiful narrator in her family's wonderful play.

Lovely Lady Lauren...

The entire Axberg family (plus Ben Thomsen :).

From left: Mrs. Axberg, Noah, Lauren, Ben T., Mr. Axberg and Ben.

Setting up for our play. All our hard work was about to pay off, and I was feeling dreadfully sick - but Katherine looks pretty excited!

One member of our awesome crew - my cousin Jon.

Our musical (BOSTON: A City on a Hill) begins with Susannah and Shannon singing,

"There is a city on a hill..."

Under the iron yoke of Oppression!!!

A citizen of Boston takes the stage - Rebekah.

"Oppression! Oppression!"

The people of Boston from left: Lydia, Maggie, Rebekah, Me and Anna.

"It's such a chore just making two ends meet!"

Lydia (right) and I discussing the terrible taxes.

"They say Howe is an honest man and all the gents agree. But seeing Howe he spends his time, I've come to doubt it."

Mrs. Lorring - the General's lady.

"Without our representation how can we build a nation?"

Women of Boston from left: Maggie, Lydia, Rebekah and Kate.

Here you have Boston; a city on a hill!

From left: Me, Rebekah, Lydia, Aidan and Bekah (again! :).

Three citizens discussing the tea tax (among other things): Me, Lydia and Aidan.

Massacre? That was years ago! Riots are all the rage now!

"Here's to you. Here's to us. Raise your glass up now! For there's no need to make a fuss when we've still got General Howe!"

British soldiers: Anna and Lydia.

"I've found a way to settle this dispute! Colonial girls are cute!!!"

One of the king's advisors: Aidan.

"How do you solve a problem like the colonies? How do you pick a fight with Uncle Sam?"

The King: Pa.

After the show, the guys decide to murder each other in the sword pits - pretty cool! :)

Josh and Pa take on the world.

I'm guessing Josh just killed someone - he looks pretty happy. :)

The dancing begins! Hooray! :)

The beautiful Katherine Anne Miller...

I think our group wins a "bravest dancers" award. We danced for four hours straight in the pouring rain - what dedication!

It was also the most fun ever!!! :)

What's a proper 4th without some fireworks?

The launch-at-home, extremely-illegal kind are even greater! :)

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY EVERYBODY!!!