we're not cowboys

and Jim is not a fan of folk who "dress up" as such for one day of the year.  Still, I can never resist when Grandma Kay thrills the boys each year with something new for the Luna rodeo.  Jim shakes his head.  They grin wildly.  D's grin was bigger than ever this time.  It was the year of his first boots and hat.  He "actually" (the boy's new favorite word) demanded (his new favorite stance!?) a black one.  And "even" (the boy's second favorite word) felt.  And the wearing has lasted much more than one day. 

D glued to Kay's hand

The 24th of July is always reunion time.  This year we invited Mandi and her family to join us because I think they're plain sick of hearing us gush about Alpine and Luna.  But by the end of the trip, all anyone was plain sick of was mud.  There was plenty of rain to dampen most of our outside plans. 

The rain was kind enough, however, to sit out the Parade and Rodeo. I'm sure the Luna parade is typical of any tiny town, but to me it's a singular experience.  And one the kids love because of the candy that is thrown.  The pile gets so high that by the time the parade turns around to come back down the street (yes, you heard that right), Jim is throwing candy back at (not "to", of course) the very givers of the bounty.

Aidan adores Miss London and willingly shared his hat. 

I adore this serious Miss Reagan.

The parade may be typical tiny town fare, but I'm not sure about the rodeo.  It boosts the population of this town from 150 to at least 10,000 one weekend every year.

Jim's cousin riding the flag in to the Star-Spangled Banner.  She starts at a walk, then steadily gains momentum with the song...sweeping around the stadium at a full gallop by the end.  It gets to me every time.  

And I loved this picture of Jim's brothers.  They were working down at the catch pens during the rodeo. Ya...they're not cowboys.  Cool, yes.  But, no wranglers, hats or belt buckles.  We're not cowboys.  

But I can't vouch for this next little generation.  Yet. 

Jim & Davyn

Aidan

Comments

[Aprilyn]

You can take the cowboy out of the Dad but not out of the kids, is that how it goes? Those boys are the cutest cowboys I've ever seen! Nathan would LOVE to have cowboy boots and a hat but we can't afford them. He's a cowboy deep down inside I guess. :)

[Tiffany]

What a fun reminder of my own 24th of July small-pioneer town memories! The parade, the rodeo, the being with family. (We even wore cowboy hats a few years!) I love your beautiful pictures--so many good new memories to make.

I don't ever remember it being so green (our small town was out of the mountains, though!). I guess it did usually rain when we went to the mountains for a picnic...

[Mandi]

I love the picture and I loved the parade and the rodeo and Luna. It was a fun getaway despite the rain. Your little cowboys are darling. Thanks for inviting us.

[Kay]

Those are two handsome cowboys!! I guess we are all city-folk now, but cowboys are such a part of my heritage that it delights me for them to play the part, if even for a day...and if they wear their boots and Wranglers other days, well, I'm grinning.

[Angie]

I commented on this already this morning, but I think I forgot to type in the confirmation letters. I wonder how many posts of mine get lost because of that... Oh well.

You have such cute little cowboys. I laughed that the parade turned around for another pass down the street. Glad you had fun!

[Megan]

LOVE the little cowboys, they are so cute. And you're making me terribly homesick, it looks beautiful there. Do you think I can warrant an invitation of my own next year?

[Barb]

I haven't been to a small town rodeo or parade day like that in a long time. I love the cowboy duds.

[Sheri]

That first picture of them is priceless! They make a couple of handsome cowboys. What great pictures! Glad you had a nice time.

[Jenna]

Well Tyler DID have wranglers on. Grandma Kay is just as nice as mother-in-law Kay and bought him "his very own pair of wranglers" last year. He wears them more than just the rodeo and I bought him a shirt that says "100% Cowboy"...he wears it.

[April]

Sounds magical...I love the pride of small-town America. I would have choked up at the star-spangled banner ride for sure.

Love your boys in their cowboy duds...they look quite at home in them!

[Susan]

Ever since I saw you today I have been thinking of you and what a big deal tomorrow is for you all. I'll be think of you. I still cry every year and my kids are in 2nd grade. I even got choked up at Meet the teacher today... but I covered it well.

I love these pictures. What a fun place and time. Tiny town are great.

[Susan]

Ever since I saw you today I have been thinking of you and what a big deal tomorrow is for you all. I'll be think of you. I still cry every year and my kids are in 2nd grade. I even got choked up at Meet the teacher today... but I covered it well.

I love these pictures. What a fun place and time. Tiny towns are great.

[Shanon]

I love being weekend cowboys! Your boys looked adorable and I know my kids had fun with them. Glad we both went to the same thing!!! Let's do it again!

[Amy]

Jenna, I'm completely sorry for my ignorance regarding Tyler's cowboy status. It would have been much clearer had he worn his 100% cowboy shirt. I so love that your mom bought him "his very own" wranglers!

[michelle]

I love this post. Such darling photos, I love that he got an actual black hat, even felt.