Boys Ranch Rodeo

On Saturday afternoon Kaden, Shanny & I drove out to Boys Ranch for the 66th annual rodeo.

Kaden clearly NOT as excited as I was about his new cowboy boots (thank you Hannah!) and shirt.

organized chaos

Instead of serving brisket and beans as in years past,

Ben got to work the chutes (#3) which looked much more exciting. 

Four of Ben's 6th graders participated in senoir calf riding this year.

Every year my FAVORITE event is "mutton busting".  For those of you who are unfamiliar,
a small child is placed atop an overgrown sheep and when ready, the chute is opened... 

  The sheep then takes off at a full run in an attempt to get the child off its back.

The vast majority of kids fell off in less than 8 seconds, but one girl hung on for at least 12
and got the crowd cheering on their feet.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of my boys in their cowboy gear once we got home again.

Kaden looking much happier and Ben looking quite exhausted.