Pioneer Day

My cute niece loves all things "pioneer".  My sister is the music chorister for the primary kids at church.  She was able to rent some great covered wagons so the kids could do a primary pioneer parade.

The babies and all the older kids loved playing in the covered wagon and going for rides.

Samara's Olive doll.  Olive is my maternal grandma.  My mom gave her granddaughters the doll to go along with the personal history she is writing. 

We dressed up in pioneer clothes and did a little caroling parade around the neighborhood.  After about an hour we passed my sister's house and I opted to sneak into the A/C with my fussy baby.  I left amazed that people trekked that way for months and months--not only through heat, but trough the winter.    Taking 24 hours to fly home suddenly seemed like a breeze.

I am in awe of and grateful for the sacrifices the pioneers went through to get to Utah so they could  enjoy religious freedom.  During our time in Asia, we were able to visit several places where people were also made refugees.  My heart goes out to them.

Pioneer Day is a great reminder for me that I should be grateful for the freedoms and comforts I enjoy.  I hope someday that I can be of service in some way to those who are not as fortunate.

Pioneer Day also happens to fall on the birthday of one of my favorite people.  (You know who you are!)