Roses are red, violets are blue.....

Cows too snorty and broncs not quite enough.
Top horse, top hand....we like it, don't get me wrong.

These rodeos are just so darn tough.
We must get 2nd or 4th place for how long?

What I'm talking about is the Old Settlers Reunion Ranch Rodeo in Roaring Springs, TX. Last night we competed there in hopes of winning first place and qualifying for the World Championship Rodeo in Amarillo in November. Tripp and Riley did take the Top Horse and Top Hand awards which is super great.

Ok, so now I'm done with the "it's alright if we don't win" attitude. I'm darn tired of getting second or fourth place. Here's how we've done this year, just to give you a better idea of why it is starting to get a little frustrating.

June 4-5, 2010 - Wild Horse Prairie Days - Haskell, TX - 4th place

June 11-12, 2010 - Panhandle Cowboy Classic - Gruver, TX - 4th place

June 25-26, 2010 - Colorado Championship - Hugo, CO - 2nd place

August 7, 2010 - Maverick Ranch Rodeo - Cimarron, NM - 4th place

August 13-14, 2010 - Big Bend Ranch Rodeo - Alpine, TX - 2nd place

August 28 - 29, 2010 - Old Settlers - Roaring Springs, TX - 2nd place

Rhonda's Salsa!!

28 oz can whole tomatoes
jalapenos (enough to give it some bite)
4-5 green onions
1 clove fresh garlic (I use a garlic press.)
salt to taste

In the food processor pulse the jalapenos, green onions, and garlic with the juice from the tomatoes. Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse just til the tomatoes are not turned to mush!

This is a great recipe and I hope Rhonda doesn't mind my passing it on.

I'm no expert.....

especially not a beauty expert, but I do want to share two products that I'm lovin'.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstain

It works so much better than ooey-gooey lipstick.

Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush

Creamy blush kind of sounds gross, but it isn't.

Hopefully you can't even tell that I wear make-up at all and yes I will go to the grocery store (or pretty much anywhere else) without it. You just see tons of ads and hate to drop 6 or 8 bucks just to test something out, so here's my review.

Easily Excited!

Hope, Scout, and I went to an antique auction this morning in Hereford. I'm so proud of my bargains.....not going to tell you exactly how much (or not) of a bargain my purchases were. There were so many really nice things that you just don't see that often.

First off Scout stripped down to her diaper. Next she smeared lotion all over our legs. Finally she spilled her coke. Do you think the lady turned me down when I requested they sell certain items? Uhhh....negative.

Frederic Remington bronze "The Rattlesnake"

C.M. Russell "Cowboy Sport Roping a Wolf"

C.M. Russell "The Strenuous Life"

I think they will match my living room perfectly!!

Did you toot?

Last night before bed Scout toots real big. So, I ask the obvioius question, "Did you toot?". The reply......."Its Hope's toot!!"

I think we know who the real toot is here.

Spectators

Scout and I were simply spectators at the J-5 Ranch this week. The branding pen is shaped like a triangle and it's hard to keep the calves on one end. Not to mention they were pretty big and snorty. Since I'm not moving super fast these days and especially not carrying a 30 lb kiddo, we decided to watch from the flatbed. Good thing, cuz it got a little wild a few times.

Headin' and heelin'

Charlie-charolais (the calf) is about to be swarmed by the cowboys. I just liked this picture because everyone is on the move. In case you aren't from these parts.......the calf doesn't really have a name. I call all Charolais (a breed) cattle, Charlie.

Clifford (Jearl's son) bringing one to the fire.

Here we are on the flatbed I was talking about. You need to move around to get good pictures. Sorry about that!!

Riley and Scout on Breezy.

Come out to the Earth Ranch Rodeo this Saturday. Tom Brown is announcing, some local cowboys, some not, some good hands, some not, may be a few wrecks, may not. You never know what may happen, but it should be some good entertainment!!

GYMNASTICS

Scout started gymnastics yesterday. I thought I was an advocate of waiting until about 3rd grade to start extra-curricular activities and instead we didn't even wait until she was 3 years old. She did really well and only threw a minor fit because she didn't want to sit and wait her turn.

There are only 5 girls in her class. Luckily she adores Gracee and will do anything she does.

This girl could do front flips all day long.

Back flips are new for us.

She is supposed to be jumping with her arms to her sides like the instructor is modeling. I think she was just having fun getting some "air".

The meltdown.......who wants to wait their turn, really!!

When the lesson is over the kids get to play in a foam pit.

Throwing foam cubes at everyone is hilarious!!

Miss Dare-Devil was not afraid to swing on the rope above the pit.

Things Could Be Worse.....

So.....there was a moment in time during the rodeo in Alpine that I just knew we weren't going to win. Riley took the saddle horn to the chest when his bronc came over backwards in the chute. We knew he was going to catch his air again and that he was also being offered a re-ride. I found myself all pumped about the re-ride and then it just hit me. He could have been badly hurt and I'm thinking about the re-ride. I sort of caught myself just wanting to win so bad that I could taste it. Nuts!! We weren't going to win probably to learn me a lesson.

I took hardly any pictures. Not sure why because it is a very beautiful place. We saw lots of century plants growing out in the pastures. Those are so cool, Pat had/has one I think. I need one someday.

The silhouettes of "our" cowboys across the way.

Brothers (in-law) discussing their game plan in the doctoring.

You can't tell it here, but Red is about to "go for broke" on his heel shot and it worked. Their time in the doctoring was 25 sec, which only won second place. I'm telling you people this rodeo was tough.

Prizes, prizes, let's talk about prizes. Most rodeos that we go to don't give cash awards for winning events, much less prizes. If so it would usually only be for winning first. Some of the items in our bags of loot provided by Big Bend Saddlery were a huge cowboy coffee mug, platter, reins, bit, rope, roping DVD, hat gift certificate, jeans gift certificate, Schaffer vest, saddle butter.......so second place really isn't that bad.

http://www.bigbendsaddlery.com/home.html

"Gross Pasa"

Scout was a lunch guest at Hope's house today. Hope was serving lasagna, but Scout didn't seem to care too much for it. Generally she eats pasa (pasta) really well, so Hope reminded her that it was pasta. After a few bites Scout announced "gross pasa". From now on lasgna may be known as "gross pasa". I'll eat it any day!!

She Make Fire.....

It isn't what so many of you are thinking.....Scout did not make fire, thank goodness. She has been pretty ornery today though.

So we were at the post office. A lady was standing next to our vehicle talking with some folks. Scout says, "she talkin". Next she says, "she make fire". The lady was smoking.

I just thought it was too cute!!

Mimi's House!!

This past Thursday afternoon, Hope and I and our girls and boy headed to Mimi and Papa's house. We thought it was perfect "Mimi time" since our boys were driving to a rodeo in NE early Friday morning. On Friday we worked in Mimi's classroom, cooked, set up for the cookout, bagged green chili's for Hope's freezer, napped, fished, and as usual ate like pigs.

On Saturday Sandhill participated in the Maverick Ranch Rodeo in Cimarron. We continued the streak of bad luck, which means we didn't win. We have ordered matching shirts just to see if it helps out this weekend in Alpine. No pressure guys!!

Scout had to settle for throwing rocks into Charette Lake. She really wanted to swim, but the water was pouring in off the mountains so we didn't try that.

It was kind of a long rocky hill down to the water. She would just take off and could move pretty good. I hated for her to have a skinned face because I was lazy so we took turns walking around with her. Of course she wouldn't just chill on a rock and enjoy the evening like Summer is doing here.

Mimi helped Trail with the fishing. He can cast pretty good. We weren't having much luck so we all took a turn on the fishing pole. Hope claimed she was getting some bites and I said I didn't come all that way for her to catch a fish. Can you feel the sisterly love?

Preston & Le Roy doing their part for the cookout at the Wood House. Just teasing, Preston cooked burgers and helped serve the ice cream. (You know it was so he could steal a bite here and there.)

Ivy, Clay, and Trail when they weren't digging around in the irrigation ditch for creatures. Yuck!! This brings on the story of Scout and Trail carrying around big cups of those tiny frogs. Carrying them around the house that is!! Has Mimi lost her mind? I almost did when Scout came to me saying, "I drop it". Thank goodness Trail was there to catch it.

Deep in thought? Not sure what is going on here. Probably shouldn't even ask.

Scout and Hattie trying their hand at roping. Doesn't look too good really!

Scout wanted to catch a horse, which isn't too convenient so Tripp put the halter on Raider. He mostly led Scout around.

Evidence of how tasty that ice cream really is. Scout had about five bowls and even drank it after it melted.

This is the "I'm about to jump" look. Seriously, give the girl a few steps and she's content to go up and jump down all day long.

Enjoying the cool evening, delicious food, and good company.

and games...........There just has to be a little competition!!

Croquet. We used to play it all the time when I was growing up. Scout couldn't stay hooked very well and wanted to use her "club/mallet" for other things.

All prettied up on Sunday morning!

Lunch at the St. James Hotel in Cimarron. Very interesting and super cool. I love me some green chili smothered burrito or pretty much anything for that matter.

What do I say?

The whole bunch, so glad David & Julie were able to join us!

The patio at the St. James is just awesome.......I need it at my house.