Birthday Celebration: Part 1

For two weeks in January, the National Western Stockshow and Rodeo comes to Denver. Skyler and I both have birthdays in January, so growing up we would go to celebrate. Thankfully, we have been able to keep this tradition going all of these years. Last year we actually ventured out to the stockyards for the first time and discovered the best kept secret of the Stockshow...YAKS!



Who knew you could ride a Texas Longhorn?


We were trying to just get close to take a picture, but the guy reached out and grabbed my hand with such force that I thought I was going for a ride. Thankfully he just put it one the horn.


They were moving these huge Bison into an auction arena.


Mark likes this one because...well it looks like I sneezed a buffalo out of my nose.




Olivia was all ready for the rodeo with her fur vest and cowgirl boots.


Watching the Cart and Horse Pull Show


Finally the Rodeo


The clown on the barrel is actually a little boy. They brought out the barrel for the mutton busting competition, and the little clown would hide inside the barrel when the sheep ran past. It was B-Awesome!


Olivia and Abe's first National Western Stockshow and Rodeo!




Abe also had cowboy boots on for the Rodeo. There were matching chaps, but he was too warm in the Baby Bjorn.


Every year during the rodeo they have a fun show in addition to the bulls and horses. Last year was a one-armed man that rode a horse around the arena and then on top of a horse trailer all the while accompanied by three bison. This year we saw the Ghost Riders...Those are monkeys riding dogs that were herding goats. The monkeys wore chaps and rode in little saddles while holding themselves on with their tails. Yeah, now you're jealous you weren't there.


Sadly the night ended, and Mark and I had to leave for Idaho the next morning...
But not without getting this goodbye from Olivia!

Big


Bigger


Notice the tongue




It was all a great start to my birthday celebrations!