Liberty Day

Dear Friends (y'all),

I am excited to say that we were able to attend the 9th annual Liberty Day Celebration this year! And what a superb time we had! :)
Mr Phillips and Mr. Potter lectured on the history of Jamestown and of our Country, and they did an excellent job! With much enthusiasm they reminded us of our nations history, those who helped found it and the strong christian roots which formed it. It was wonderfully done *bravo*
Afterwards the celebration began! Everyone joined in singing our National Anthem, we heard several stunning piano (and violin) performances, singing (done by the Erberauntey singers), a hilarious performance of "Revolutionary Tea" (done by the same), as well as the reading of a winning Essay (read by Jessica Erber) that was beautifully written, and, of course, the reenactment of the 2nd Virginia Convention ( By the way, all the reenactors did an amazing job....for a second I thought I was really there...).
Afterwards we watched our brothers run off and join the military (militia or something...I can't remember exactly)...including Caleb. They left following the beat of a drum. I was almost tempted to start singing "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"...but managed to restrain myself. :) While most of the boys were off fighting for our Liberty (or marching somewhere) we had a lovely time dancing the Virginia Reel.

Unfortunately, the weather got pretty bad (a heavy amount of snow and ice) and we had to leave earlier than we had intended. But we were exceedingly happy that we were able to attend! After a long, long drive home we finally crashed into bed, happy and eager for Liberty Day 2008! Thank you Erbers (and all else involved!) for making this event possible!!!

BTW, We didn't get as many photos as we would have liked (do to the fact that we were having such a good time!) but here are some of the ones that we did get. Tiff already posted them on her blog but I'll go ahead and put them on here as well. Oh, and you can find more photos on Ashtons blog.


















Our family, except, of course, Caleb, who was away fighting for the cause of Liberty.

The Erberauntey singers performing "Revolutionary Tea" which was absolutely hysterical! :D






























Grace Bandy and I right before the dancing began (excited! We had been looking forward to that part! :D). Notice Grace's lovely dress was the one we were working on when she stayed with us a couple weeks ago!

Tiffany finishing sewing her dress (we always seem to be doing that at the last minute! *laugh*), which looked beautiful, by the way!

My lovely mother looking exquisite!






















Melissa and William enjoying Liberty Day!

William, our little Prince Charming and Patriot. He's a bit young to follow Caleb into battle though. I think we'll make him wait a few years. :)

















My brave brother showing me how strong he is (I thought the gun was heavy, but in the photo he's informing me otherwise.)!





















"Hurrah! Hurrah!" Marching courageously into battle!

William decided he wanted to play the flute. :)

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Quotes from the some of the men who attended the 2nd Virginia Convention:



"Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!" - Patrick Henry


"I will raise at once a force of 1000 men, subsist them at my own expence, and march myself at their head, to the relief of Boston!" - George Washington


"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." - Thomas Jefferson