The day began early as we got to work constructing a float themed "Joy in the Journey." With a large length of yellow material we created a giant smiley face on a trampoline frame to command attention. The whole family got in on this one and hoisted it onto the trailer. (I wish I had a picture on my camera) The kids drew black faces on yellow plates that we attached and Jake and I ran to town to put helium in a whole car full of smiley balloons. Each member of the fam had on either a yellow shirt with a black smiley or a black shirt with a yellow smiley. As we rode into the Box-H we proceeded to act the "joyful" part by singing all manner of happy face songs and even performing "the wave" for the onlookers entertainment. (or maybe just for our own quirkiness sake.) Some friends of the family dressed in pioneer attire and pulled a handcart behind us. Then trailing behind was Landry and Kaela on our horses. We made quite a spectacle of ourselves. And it only got better from there....
All the kidlets went crazy for digging through sawdust -- to find the stash of CANDY!
Then over to the booths for balloon fishing, face painting, ball toss!
Bright little faces lit even brighter when they rode the barrel wagon pulled by 4-wheeler.
No matter what age, there were chickens for chasing - and most everyone participated.
A dizzy relay had people running crooked and even falling into the dust.
We formed a team for a different relay that involved oven mits, panty hose, and bobbing for apples. I'll leave the rest up to your imagination.
Some older boys made a human totem pole trying to get the money on top of the grease pole
Our family was well represented in the egg throwing toss, but most of us ended up with yolk in our hands and clothes.
Everyone had a chance to try their skill at chariot pulling (or riding). Making the wide turns around the chairs was the crucial moment of each match.
Young and old came down out of the grandstands to get in the sumo-tube circle. (Pictured below) Sister against sister, brother against brother. Grandma against Grandma!!! What a hoot!
A lucky few had their fill of pie as they struggled to scarf theirs the fastest.
We accepted the challenge when our family was coaxed into a jello sucking competition. A whole bowl of strawberry jello consumed through straws! - we had a triumphant victory.
I found myself all-out laughing at things that were simple as a 1yr olds' face. (That would be Denae and Taya covered in dirt while building a dust castle and then showing concern when they saw that their shirt was dirty.)
A friendly game of volleyball took place on the sidelines.
Water balloons were seen here and there - and there was wet hair that followed each incident.
Lunch was fantastic. After all, how can you beat an old fashioned burger or hot dog? A can of soda on the side and a popsicle prize for every game you won. The baked goods were also delectable - special mention goes to ShaNae for her peanut butter bars. mmmm.
Grandma and Grandpa Hyde entered the "over 50" cake walk and won a gigantic square cake depicting a handcart. It was fitting we thought, since it was their anniversary AND my Mom's birthday!!!
Denae and Grandma
hanging out by the grandstand
watching the festivities
Taya and ShaNae
being their silly selves
Jake and Marinn
soaking up the sun
Audralyn and Marinn
riding the barrel wagon
A contest of whip cream and cheetohs.
The girls tried to throw the cheetohs at the
boys faces and see who could stick the most.
An intense sumo-tube battle between brothers.
After a lot of pushing and a whirlwind of dust
one of them finally bounced out.
IT REALLY WAS A DAY THAT MATCHED THE THEME "JOY IN THE JOURNEY" - NOT ONLY DID WE REFLECT ON THE WAYS THAT PIONEERS FOUND JOY, WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE SOME TIME OUT OF OUR TIGHT SCHEDULES TO SIT BACK AND SMILE.
It brought to my mind the chorus of a song we like lately
---- "It's the climb" ----
CLICK HERE FOR THE SONG IF YOU ARE CURIOUS :)
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