what a busy girl I have been!

So its quite obvious I am very far behind on my blog! I have stayed at so many cute motels and homes this year that did not have any Internet access, so my blog got very far behind very quickly :< I am sad about this because I have so many amazing stories to share. So I will share a few highlights.

I had my Coronation

                                                  

 

 Judged window displays in Albia, Iowa

Had the best time ever in Albia, IA in a Tornado and drove my cousins truck!

 

Hung out in Vegas with my best friends

Cruised around Clovis, New Mexico in style!

I love the kids most of all

Did many radio interviews

Made wonderful friends with NFPB bull rider Caleb Ruyle and his girlfriend Danielle

Had some family time

Picked up a stray dog in Trenton, TN! my nephew loves him

Been having some cold Christmas fun

Worked a kids stick horse rodeo

In 2 weeks I will once again make the journey to Oklahoma City to compete for Miss Rodeo USA! I am so excited. Please visit missrodeousa.com to follow the pageant. After I get back from the pageant I will update my blog. Love you all, thanks for the amazing year

Church and rural Iowa

The next day was Sunday, so this meant church day. We went to the church my dad grew up in, I met so many people that said to me " I knew your dad when he was this small" it was fun for me to meet people who used to know my dad when he was a kid.

Next it was time for a little history, we drove all around the county and learned every detail! Where my grandma was born and the places she went to school and the farms she lived on. Where her and grandpa went on their dates, where they got married and where they went to the roller skating rink. I of course took a ton a pics, I will only post a few on here as not to over whelm you!

Dad, grandma and Linda at the Tracy Christina Reformed Church where grandma and grandpa got married.

Tracy, Iowa

The Tracy, Iowa post office

This is a day I will not forget! It mean so much to me to learn all this Kelderman history.

Back at the house, Crystelle thought my magnets looked good on her blue rental car and I agree :>

Grandpa's Memorial Service and Trenton, Mo NFPB

On Saturday we all headed to the Cemetery to have a memorial service for my grandpa. He passed away last summer but this service was for all the Iowa people that could not make it to Colorado and also to leave his ashes.
In the summer of 2009 when they had his funeral I was living in Las Vegas and I could not go home for it.
This meant so much to me to get to be part of this service.

It was a really hard time, I cried the whole service. I got up and spoke and that made me cry more. I got to hear from so many of grandpa's childhood friends and learn about a part of him I never knew.
After the service we all headed back to Evelyn's house and had a huge potluck in her front yard. I signed dozens of autograph sheets for all the people! I felt famous in that small town.

My Grandma and Aunt Linda

Tuney Kelderman, Grandpa's Cousin speaking at the service

As you can tell it was hot! and yes I was in all black. But it was worth every moment in the sun.

After lunch I got ready to hit the road, Dad and I drove down to Trenton, Mo for the bull riding that night. It was put on my Double S, so that's Shad Smith and Todd Crase. This was my first time to meet both of them.

After a beautiful drive thur southern Iowa and Northern Mo, dad and I arrived at the saddle club arena. The local saddle club put on this bull riding as a fundraiser for the local woman's shelters. I was so honored to be a part of such a neat event, dad and I both bought raffle tickets to support the cause, even though we didn't win anything.

Tried to get a pic of this horse yawning and we got one!

The arena in Trenton, Missouri

They had a local saddle club member present the American flag, so I was brought into the arena and introduced. I was so happy to have my dad there to see me. (and so he could take pics)

Prayer- Cowboy Style :>

In the arena with the Double S guys doing a tribute to the Veterans

Next it was time for autograph signings, I love how Shad and Todd do it, a huge table with all the bull riders and bull fighters signing posters, so everyone can meet them :>

This was my first experience as queen with Humidity! It did its job on my hair

I got so sign a baby! Career highlight :>

This local gal was getting ready to run for county princess.

After a long fun night Dad and I headed back to Oskaloosa. We hit a few road closures because of washed out bridges, but God kept us safe.

Iowa here we come!

On Thursday May 27th my dad, his sister, my Aunt Linda and I hit the road to Iowa. This was going to be a very special week for us there. A stomach bug had been hitting our family for a few days and as much as we prayed I would not get it, I got it bad that morning. I was so sick and weak that as I was trying to pack, I was putting in like one boot and one sash! I was a mess.....

We picked up my aunt and I took the back seat in my Saturn Vue. I think I threw up at every rest stop. I was so miserable, but glad to have my dad to take care of me. We stayed the night in Nebraska and by morning I was feeling much better! We had to be to Oskalossa by Friday evening so we could make it to the Fish Fry Dinner!!
My dad was born in Oskaloosa and most of all the Kelderman side of my family is there. Since my grandpa Kelderman was born and raised there he wanted his ashes to be put there by his parents grave. This is the reason for our visit and of course I had bull riding's I could not wait to get to :>

We made it in time to go with a whole clan of people to Eddyville, IA to Dave's Welcome Inn. Evelyn Jensen, the sweet lady who took us all in for the week, she told me I had to be the queen when we went, so I quick changed my clothes. My cousin Crystelle flew in from Nashville to be with us. When we walked into the restaurant, the owner yelled for every ones attention and told them all who I was and to come to the bull riding in Albia the next weekend!

My Grandma, Crystelle and I

My dad and his Catfish!

Dave, the owner of Dave's Welcome Inn

Some how I got the all wrangled up for a photo!

That's a whole lot of Dutch people :>

Grand Marshall??

After visiting the Senior center and being recognised by the Town Hall and Mayor, I received a phone call from Jeff Wilkes from the Rotary Club. He told me that I had been chosen as the Grand Marshall for the Erie Winterfest Parade!

It will be on December 4th!

So excited for this! He also asked me to come speak at the rotory club.

Watch out Santa :>

Outstanding Erie Resident

Rachel at town hall
Click on this link and then scroll down to the part called Proclamations/Presentations. There you will see my name. Watch the video of Mayor Joe Wilson and I.

On May 25th I was recognised at the Erie Town Hall meeting. A brand new Mayor had just been sworn in and he wanted me to come and be recognised! I was so honored. I love my little town and this was so cool for me!

I was presented with a certificate for being an outstanding citizen!

Shaking hands with Mayor Joe Wilson

Erie was started as a mining town, this is a tribute to those who lost their lives in the mines.

I was a celebrity at the Dr. office

The next day I went to see my doctor for a regular check up, want to stay healthy all year. When I was being walked down the hall by the nurse one of the other nurses jumped out in front of me and said "Where's your crown?" I was startled and happy! I felt like a celebrity. In the room I found my newspaper article that my Doctor had cut out and had been holding onto for me. It was so sweet and I felt so happy to be recognized!

Thank you Doctor Pittinger! you know how to make a girl feel special!

Erie Community Center

On May 20th I was invited to speak to the Erie Senior Citizens during their weekly lunch meet-up.
I was so honored to share my life story with these people and they where all so kind and happy to have me.

I really enjoyed myself!

Thank you Diane Evans for arranging this and inviting me!

With some of the senior citizens

These ladies where so kind :>

Old Western Round Up-Loveland, Colorado

On May 19th Mom and I headed up north to The Ranch in Loveland, Colorado. The Old Western Round-Up was there for the weekend. All kinds of "makers" had their work on display. Everything from saddles to bits to boots! So amazing to see the custom designs. I met some great people and only bought one thing! I was proud of myself for not spending to much money!

I met some very nice people who had a new product they where featuring at the show. Based out of Arizona they make a product called " Brim Spur " a custom silver piece that goes on the brim of your hat. Vincent is the guy who makes them, his Colorado reps where at the show. They gave me a brim spur with with turquoise on it. And then ended up sending me a custom one with a bull on it that matches my crown perfectly!

The Brim Spur guys and I

On the way home we stopped at a few tack shops and they hung up my coronation flyer.

Mom thought I needed to try on this holster!

Back To Co

That night the guys came back from LA and I crashed with them at Eastside Cannery so we could get up real early and head out, We drove the entire day and made it home that night.

I was so blessed to have had such a great weekend with my Vegas family and go to a great PRCA rodeo.

Gas prices where crazy high on our way home!

Back into the snow and cold

Helldorado Rodeo day 2

The next day I spent the day with friends, Kandress and I went shopping and lounged in her hot tub! yeah it was a rough day :>

That night was rodeo night again and a whole bunch or my Vegas friends came to the rodeo and for most of them it was their first time at a rodeo! So neat for me to be the one to introduce them to rodeo.

I once again ran flags and did a queens run. I had fund hanging out with the beautiful Lauren Neil Miss Rodeo Nevada, I also helped her hold up a rope for the Riata Girl Trick Riding Act ( they are pretty amazing by the way )

Here I am bringing in the flag, ducking it under the gate

This one you can't see my face, but I am on the gray horse

Miss Rodeo Nevada and I

It was packed!

The gang and I after the rodeo, Ruth just had to get rodeo corn!

Highland, Jack and I

and Ruth got in on this one :>

Ania and I, She is from Poland and this was her first rodeo

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