Sick 'em on a Chicken!!

I am receiving payment for not blogging in so long.  For some crazy reason I am unable to type in amongst my pictures (or type at all) like I normally do.  If you know what’s wrong with me please share!

The WRCA Finals turned out well for us this year.  Before going Riley and I talked about how it had been awhile since we did any good.  Sandhill won first in 2004.  That year I was actually on the team….not because I’m great, but because you can’t just have any old cowboy you find and think is a good hand on your team.  I was employed by Sandhill and could legally be on the team.  I was needed because Tripp had broken his ankle and was on crutches.  Oh no, he wasn’t out.  He rode, roped, all of his normal stuff.  He just couldn’t get down and walk.  Lol  I was mostly needed for the branding, but I’ve gone in the cow milking.  J  Sandhill won again in 2007, and now again in 2013.

The cowmilking almost wrecked our world this year.  We had her, she got away, we had no milking.  NO TIME!!  Luckily it didn’t cause us to lose the whole deal.  Luckily, we have a bronc rider named Tyler Rice.  This guy can ride and came so close to winning the average.

Sick ‘em on a chicken…..watch them feathers fly!!  They play this song during the cowmilking and my kids have been singing it ever since!!  

Jones Branding

This year Sandhill didn't graze the Cain Ranch.  We usually buy old cows and then sell them as packers and repeat the process each year.  This year there just wasn't enough grass to mess with, therefore we don't have any babies to brand.  Somehow, we do always get the job of taking care of business for some local farmers.  

We mostly sit in the back of the pickup at brandings.  This year we didn't even do the cooking.   

If you know Tyler Rice (childhood friend and hubby of sweet blogger friend Kristin), then you know we had some entertainment.  He's a hoot and was entertaining the kids by making a little guy.  If you don't get it, well sorry 'bout ya because I'm not explaining this one.  

Have you ever seen legs this long?  Meet Cedar, a high school student that is working for Sandhill.  He's from on up in the panhandle (not certain where). His aunt and uncle live here in Earth.   He is such a sweetie.  He has manners and tolerates my kids.  Let me tell you though, this boy is all legs.

Now on to the regulars, Tripp and Riley.  Now these two had a little competition going on yesterday.  I'm just certain of it.  

Why are they dragging if they are hosting the branding?  We didn't have a lot of help and they had already branded at another place, so I'm guessing everyone else had already drug.  That is necessarily a lesson in cowboy etiquette, but my estimate of the situation.

Back to the story, these two were bringing calves faster than they were ready for them.  You can see the calves kicking up dust.  The guys couldn't wait to get rid of one and catch another.  Tripp especially caught a couple of crazy shots. 

Mr. Trail was pulling his weight doing the ear-tagging.  He was starting to look a little tired of walking back and forth, but he did a great job!

Branding was short and sweet for us, but here's to hoping we have our own babies next year. 

Branding Cont'd...

I had a few more pics from last week. I love to capture all the steps. Super fun. I just realized that every single one is "cock-eyed" but that's just me!

Layin' a trap!

Pullin' slack!

Please excuse Mr. Ocate, he is straight ranch horse right now.

Head to the fire!

Flankers take-over!

Today the crew branded our cows on Cain Ranch. Hope and I took lunch out. For the past couple of years I've had bad timing, as in I pull up when the last calf is getting up. Therefore I have no actual branding pics, but did get a few.

Nice loop RS!

Things got a little western here for a minute, but that is to be expected when Tyler Rice is around.

Can you figure out whose rope is on the bull and whose rope is on the cow? It was a little confusing there for a minute.

Waterin' horses.

The looks on their faces, describe the wind and blowing dust perfectly. Yuck!!

Face (and ear) washin' time!!

This was Reno's first branding and he mostly spent it sleeping in the pickup. This wasn't such a bad idea considering how nasty it was.New cow-boy hat!!
Sister enjoying a little "lunchie"!

Hopefully we'll get lots of pics tomorrow. It's going to be a big day....you'll see;)!!