Land Run... The Smith Family found Land!!!

Here's a little Oklahoma history for ya' all!!! (:-))

April 22, 1889 was our state land run... Oklahoma territory was given away... it was quite a day for Oklahoma!

The 2nd graders re-enact the land run every year at high noon on April 22nd... It's a tradition in our little elementary school and the kids all look forward to it!

Bailey has been stressing for days about what she's going to wear... about what a pioneer woman did, etc... Bay has LOVED it.. and I had to share some pictures from the day.. It was SO hot, but the kids had a GREAT time!!!

Enjoy.....

Here's Mrs. Smith! Bay was so thrilled that she got to be the Mama of her group. The teachers divided the classes into familes.... and then they decided who played what role in their pioneer family.. Mama Smith was VERY proud of her baby (Hannah - she named it that cause it was a pioneer name :-)) and she was GREAT as the "mother" of their family!

Of course Brook had to sneak into a picture as well... She was fairly upset when she found out that the Pre-K kids DON'T have land runs... she knows she wants to get to dressed up for big school like Bay does next year... so sweet!

Here is Bay waitin' for high noon.... The Sooners had already gone ahead at this point.. and they had picked out a great spot under a shade tree!!! Mama Smith had the step - brother (sooner) all lined out already!!

The race is on... Mama Smith and baby Hannah running to catch the family that went on ahead of them....

Here's Mrs. Smith and baby Hannah looking for the family.. the Mama and baby were a little slowed down due to difficulties with their covered wagon!! Mama Smith quickly located the family... husband and kids... and found out that the step-son (sooner) had been arrested and did not get to the land they had picked out! She also quickly found Dad Smith and discovered that he had yet to find them ANY land.. (small piece of wood with a number, indicated available land!) Needless to say Mrs. Smith was NOT happy... but, she came through for her family and found land herself (SHE FOUND THE BLOCK!) It was hilarous... you'd have thought they staged or rehearsed the entire thing! :-)

Here is the Smith family. They are setting up camp for their lunch on their new land... Mrs. Smith is getting her cast iron and wash board out as well as their lunch of beef jerky, fried chicken, and biscuits!

After much hard work and family difficulties, the Smith's are now the proud owners of Land ~ Section 2 of Oklahoma Territory!

Bailey is singing.. they gathered round the wagon and sang LOTS of fun songs.... of course.. OKLAHOMA was top of the list!!!

The above 2 pictures are of Bay and her counsin Haden. Haden's Dad and I are first cousins... and his Mom and I are great friends! We have so many pictures like this of them together from birth through the last 8 years... fun, fun, fun!! They have a good time together!!

Hope you enjoyed our land run!!! Oklahoma is a great state and we're PROUD to call it out home!!!