Love You Too Much: The Trip Post I Forgot To Publish

Remember all those vacation posts I wrote in July? And how I said I was finished? I forgot the most important one! I forgot to write all about the hometown rodeo--which I absolutely cannot believe. In fact, the whole POINT of us going home to CO was for the rodeo! We have been going for the last 14? 15? years, and it is by far one of my favorite family traditions. We have sort of a family history of cowboys, ranchers, and farmers, so we are all kind of western cowboy folk at heart (umm, I grew up working at the ranch with my dad, so...) This year, my aunt was able to come too!

The last few 2 years that I have taken Kara, it has been an excuse to dress her up in cowgirl gear. I bought her some little pink cowgirl boots this year, and she looked adorable! Next year, I am getting myself a pair of cowgirl boots, and Kara and I will wear hats (I look pretty dang good in hats). On a side note, I remember asking my dad for a pair of cowgirl boots for several years while I was growing up, and he would never, ever buy them for me... something about them being too expensive or whatever.

For the past 12 years or so, my dad has given the Rodeo Queen her award saddle on behalf of the Sheriff's Association. So basically, my dad is kind of like a celebrity! In our eyes, at least. I love seeing all the contestants in their sparkly western gear... It is one of my favorite parts of the rodeo! I secretly wish I could be a Rodeo Queen contestant just so I could dress up like Western Royalty. What you can't see in these pictures is how sparkly their shirts were.

There he is--the really tall man in uniform holding the saddle. Isn't he cool?!

There he is, giving away the saddle. Do you see him???

In case you couldn't see him above, my dad is the little blue speck behind the girl in red with the white hat. See him? :)

One of our favorite events to watch is the barrel racing. It is so much fun!

And Kara, of course, loves the horses (and the cows, which she "moos" at). When we move back, we might have to put her in rodeo lessons! Although, I'd really prefer she be a swimmer ;) One little boy/participant was kind enough to let Kara pet his horse! It was so nice of him!

Kara was somewhat fascinated with this little boy...

The local 4H club sells hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as chips, drinks, etc., so we always treat ourselves to some burgers and a soda (usually Diet Coke--my family's drink of choice). Unfortunately, Kara picked up a fondness for Diet Coke from Nana and "Bapa," which you will probably be able to tell in the following pictures.