Proud to be an American

What excitement and anticipation we have been experiencing going into this holiday season. The festivities began on Friday with the Steele Family Rodeo (Mikayla's best friends family) which began with one of their daughters carrying the flag around the front paddock on her father's (who passed away a few months ago) favorite horse to a recording of him singing, "Proud To Be An American". There was quite a crowd there and we were all in party mode, but that made me cry. It was nice to be among good friends, enjoying their company and the gorgeous weather and that unique Middleton camaraderie. I can't even imagine the work that goes into putting this on every year, free to all family and friends. Everyone volunteers to help run it that night, so we're all involved but it is quite a production. I think Abe, Lily and Sophie thought they had been twinkled and gone to heaven after three hours of horse riding, animal petting, face painting and all you could eat snow cones and cotton candy. Abe even participated in the calf riding contest and stayed on for a bumpy 8 seconds before being thrown. He's probably got a significant bruise on his thigh now, but it will make for some good memories. =) Our camera's battery was charging most of the evening, but Mikayla's best friend, Tessia, video recorded his stint and I'll try to get it from her before she leaves town so I can try to convert it and post it here. Jordan likes to call the "Fun" motivated personalities in our family (him, Eden and Abe) "Team Yellow" and he would be proud to know that his team was well represented at the rodeo.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July everywhere, of course, but in Middleton it is a full day community affair. We are all excited about the parade and festivities down town and the great fireworks show just down the street. Tomorrow we will walk everywhere and thoroughly enjoy it. It is one of our family's favorite holidays. We are also excited to host our annual family B-B-Q and fireworks get party. Ben and Renee's family and Nash's are coming and our family is excited about being together. Fred told the kids he would look at the pool tomorrow and see if there was any way to get one more season of use out of it, but I don't have high hopes since it was in such bad condition two years ago when we put it away. It would sure be a fun addition to the party and to the summer if he could find a way to patch it. We will all be up bright and early to get everything done before the parade at noon.

With this time of year and with Joseph and now Jet and other of our young friends heading off to the military, I have been thinking a lot about the blessings of the freedoms that we have been given as a birthright in this country. When people that you know and love are serving it becomes so much more poignantly impressed upon your mind that our freedoms, though divinely bestowed, are definitely not free, nor an entitlement that can not be taken away.  I am so grateful for the privileges and the blessings that we have enjoyed our entire lives.

So, Mikayla got her first proposal tonight at the YSA fireside. A young man, who is autistic, put his arm around her during the talk and loudly whispered, "After Paul Woodworth (an engaged YSA) get's married, I'm getting married."  Being polite, Mikayla asked who he was getting married to and he said, "You!". She said she was grateful that the speaker  told a funny antedode just at that moment so she had an outlet for her emotions, because she was caught completely off guard. He seemed quite serious and informed her that he was bringing a card for her next week. That will be interesting to see what kind of card that is. They don't make engagement cards do they? =) He's a kind, interesting boy, but I hope he was joking. I'm not ready for her to get married and I think she would prefer to know her fiancée beforehand=)

THE STEELE FAMILY RODEO: