To Be a Pioneer

The 24th of July is a major holiday in Utah: Pioneer Day. Since Ryan and I did not grow up here, and since he does not get Pioneer Day off of work, I always forget about it until the day of. So our festivities usually are doing the things we do any other July day :) Earlier this month I saw some ads for the city Pioneer Day celebration, and I made the effort to plan ahead and actually do something fun this year!

First we attended a neighborhood pancake breakfast, which included a huge slip 'n' slide on the hill of the park. Later in the day we went to the city Pioneer Day event. It was crowded but a lot of fun -- there was so much to do!

an Old West jail

 I think the boys' favorite activity was the ax throwing!

Benjamin                                                                        Nathan

Joshua

the target

 They also enjoyed the slingshot booth!

Nathan                                                                                Joshua

 Benjamin really got into it!

We wandered over to the adjacent Pioneer Village (which is always there, but we have never been to it). We got to see inside a typical home from the time the pioneers settled the area -- it was one itty-bitty room! I can't believe they would fit a family of 8-10 in there! We also went in a blacksmith's shop, played a few pioneer games, and took a turn with the handcart. Nathan was in an uncooperative mood, so Benjamin pulled the handcart alone -- I was very impressed!

Elizabeth made a paper bonnet at one of the booths, but was not ready to pose in it until we got home.