They Call the Thing a Rodeo ...

For the week during the Lehi Roundup Rodeo, the song constantly running through my head is "Rodeo" by Garth Brooks.  All I can hear in my head is "It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats ..." as they line Main Street with flags and horses and bulls start filling up the corrals around the rodeo grounds. The entire city shuts down starting Thursday, horses and carriages tromp down Main Street Thursday night for the stock parade, and later that same evening, we start hearing the thump of music, cheers of the crowd, and announcer over the loud speakers just a few blocks away at the Rodeo, and we know ... it's Roundup time!

I wasn't quite sure what to think about Lehi when we first moved here. I didn't grow up shooting guns or riding horses, so I've definitely felt out of my element. I never considered myself a "city girl" until we came here, but now that I'm surrounded by houses with horse property and a town full of people that love their rodeo, I have to admit, I'm getting a little sucked in! We caught a bit of the horse parade this year, and I have to admit, it took my breath away to see those tall beautiful animals trotting together down our historic Main Street with cowboys and cowgirls holding up our nation's flags. It was so neat to see young boys mounted on huge horses riding along next to their dads and grandpas and realizing this is the heritage of this state and the town I now call home. I loved it! 

And Eliot fell in love with the rodeo the first time we went, and, since it falls at the end of June, he thinks it's now part of his birthday celebrations. If you ask him what his favorite parts are, he'll tell you he loves the motorcycles (there's a "half time" motocross show that's pretty thrilling!) and the snow cones. Maybe he'll grow to appreciate the rest of it when he's older.

As for me, I love the barrel racing and when they let the horses loose at the end of the Saturday night show. They come out without saddles or bridles and just run together. It's majestic and beautiful, and I can see why my father and grandfather loved riding and caring for horses on their Arizona ranch years ago. 

This year Grant's family came with us, and it was so fun to watch Grant's dad, who also grew up on a ranch, admire the horses and cheer on the cowboys. It was also very fun to watch our nephews squeal with excitement and watch in confusion as they took in their first rodeo. Cute Logan was hilarious and wore his sunglasses late into the night ... he won't take them off! So of course we had to sing him, "I wear my sunglasses at night ..."

And all the aunties were along, too ... Aunt Gaylyn won best-dressed cowgirl and Grant's dad won best-dressed cowboy. I found cute prizes for them at my favorite local store, Pioneer Party.

 

And of course, the inappropriate clown ... not sure why they keep inviting him back, but he makes us blush every year. Not looking forward to when Eliot actually understands his jokes ... geesh.

 

And one of my favorite pics of the evening. Grant with two little cowboys, Eliot and his cousin Cole. We're lucky enough to live close enough to walk. 

I have to admit it, Lehi's growing on me! Shortly after driving down our flag-lined Main Street, past all the brick store fronts with all the chairs and blankets set out for the parades, I even told Grant, "I think I'm falling in love with this place!" It's a fun place to raise little boys, for sure! Zach's new word after last week is "Hosse!" (Horse). We haven't taken him to the rodeo yet because it starts so late, but no doubt, he'll love it too! If you're ever out our way the end of June, come join us! We're sure y'all will love it!