Fourth-of-July!

 Here I am, alone for the first time ever on the Fourth...  After all the years of kids, grandkids, horses etc. it seems a bit strange not to at least have Butch home!  But - the good news?  He will be here in a couple days!

In the meantime - I couldn't help but take a look back.  It was July 2007 & our oldest Grandson Ben was quite a horseman!  At least when it came to his very favorite mare - Jasrada!  They'd already had a couple years of riding in the Arlington, WA Santa Parade.  This year we decided they would make their debut in the Lake Stevens Fourth-of-July parade.  Jas would be the "Fireworks Pony"!

Heading to the trailer~

After grooming his mare, he led her down to the horse trailer.

In the trailer~

Jas absoutely adored Ben & would do anything for him!  She'd been taking him on rides since he was a baby.

Jas gets to graze at the parade staging area~

Ben was experienced by this time in parade riding.  He also always enjoyed going for a good trot!

Jas was known for her beauty & perfect tail carriage~

It didn't take long to get Jas ready.  What did take forever, was the wait to move into position & out onto the street.  This year, the parade committee had decided the horses would bring up the end of the parade.  It was a huge parade, so we had a very long wait.

Ben, Jas & Butch

Finally though, we were on the move & I was too busy to get any more photos.  Ben put on his best parade smile!  Jas was busy doing her airs-above-the-ground trot!  They looked so cute!  Ben was super happy when he & Jas were awarded the first place trophy in the Mounted Horses Division!  

Just a month earlier, Jas had another Cowboy, our Grandson Mason in her saddle for the Duvall Days Parade! 

Papa makes sure Mason's helmet is tight!  Granddaughter Cassidy in the pink hat!  

Mason had told his classmates he'd be riding a horse in the parade, but no one thought it could be true.  Even his teacher was doubtful.  It hurt Mason's feelings that no one believed him...

Mason & Cassidy with Jas~

 Jas for whatever reason, maybe the new venue, was as high as a kite!  Prancing & dancing & keeping me busy - while Courtney did her best to keep Mason balanced in the saddle!  He wasn't in the least concerned!    The parade staff decided Mason & Jas would lead the parade, right behind the car with the local dignitaries.  

Mason waving to the crowd!

Behind us though - was the marching band!  The sound of the drums did nothing to calm Jas!  Courtney kept saying;  "Mom!  Can you slow her down?!"  I couldn't!  Mason kept up his parade wave all the way through town!  His arm dropped a little lower though by the end of the ride.  He was one tired boy, but not too tired for ice cream!

The following Monday, Mason was the star of his school!  All the non-believers had seen him in the parade!  The school principal even made an announcement over the PA system to congratulate Mason on his ride!  :-)

We miss those days!  Gone by way too fast!