Pioneer Day!

Well, I have been MIA for a couple of Sunday's now, so this blog is just a little behind! A couple of Saturday nights ago, I flew into Las Vegas with Olive. (Kevin had an upcoming final so he couldn't make it.) We spent a couple of nights at my brother's in Henderson before my mom came and picked us up. Olive had an absolutely fabulous time playing with her cousin Jace. He was so kind to share all of his cars and trains with her.

Jace was so funny. He really wanted Olive to chase him around and play even though she would get distracted along the way and forget what she was supposed to be doing. He had a really cool Hot Wheels set up in the bathtub and so he helped Olive play during bath time. He even decided that he was really really dirty and would need to take a bath after Olive. Such a cutie.

On the way to Colorado, my mom and I stopped at a few quilt shops to sell patterns. It was really nice for me to get to visit quilt shops since there aren't any out here. They are always so inspiring. Olive was a total gem. I couldn't help but snap a little picture of her sleeping in the car.

Once we got to Grandma's in Manassa, Olive was happy to be out of the car, to be sure. Thank goodness, Grandma had some really good toys like Mr. Potato Head and a telephone. I don't think Olive has actually seen a telephone like this before. Cell phones have become so flat that I had to teach her. She got good practice learning about it since I didn't get reception and had to talk to Kevin on my Grandma's land line. Olive shrieked every time she got to listen to Kevin on the phone.

The Manassa Pioneer Day celebration is like nothing you have ever seen. Even though the holiday was on a Sunday, the festivities took place all day Friday and Saturday. It begins each day around 6 am with what sounds like the boom of a cannon. I had forgotten about this tradition and was not very happy when them booms continued and woke up Olive.

There is a parade Friday and Saturday morning, and it runs twice in a row. It's so awesome. I don't think you could go anywhere else and see floats made by "Manassa 2nd Relief Society," or "Manassa 1st Primary." There were some amazing floats, but if I had to narrow it down, I love the "Popcorn Popping" float, and the boy scouts/den leader on their bikes and skateboards.

After the parade, there is a huge BBQ at the church, a carnival, 2 rodeos, and a demolition derby. Because Olive had gotten upset at the loud firetrucks in the parade, I thought it best to leave her with my mom while I went to the demolition derby with Aunt Lisa, Uncle Lowell, Aunt Sonia, Uncle Wendell, and my cousin, Justin. I was delighted to see last year's winner, "Kevin."

"Kevin" was in it again this year but did not win. In fact, the car died with flames coming out of the hood. I think it had to do with the fact that neither Kevin (Goertzen) nor Kevin (Fisher) were there to attend this year. Still, I love a good ol' demolition derby. There is something so redneck about it that is entertaining.

We took the red-eye back Sunday night and Olive slept on the first flight, but not the second. That left her with about 5 hours of sleep and me with 1. Thank goodness for naps.

So we are back and are soooooooo glad to be back with Papa!!! Kevin was so sweet and made me beef stroganoff for dinner and Mormon cupcakes for dessert. (Mormon cupcakes are chocolate batter with a cream cheese/chocolate chip filling. Yum!!!!)