Who You Calling a Hoe?

Friday night we kicked off our Ward Rodeo weekend with a Hoe Down behind the church. I had such a great time square dancing last year (remember Claudia was here) that I invited my mom, Lori and Kelly to come join the fun this year.


Foolishly we stood out of the way talking for awhile and missed the initial dance instruction and partner grabbing, so we accidentally kept ourselves out of the fun.


At one point, the Bishop came over to recruit another girl to their "square" and he ended up taking Lori by the hand so she ended up dancing for a long time.


It was a beautiful evening, so standing on the side taking pictures wasn't unpleasant, but I really wanted to dance.

Notice Lori in her square. Later on, my mom and I formed a late-comers square with a few other people and got our turn to dance. It was so much fun! I don't have photos of us in action, but we had a really good time. My gimpy ankle held up nicely and only caused minimal hobbling and a little less bounce in my step! I was disappointed that there wasn't any line dancing this year, but the Bishop's son who led it last year moved away.


The kids had the best time running around with friends, taking hay rides, and watching a movie out in the field on a big screen.

The festivities began again early Saturday morning with a 1k and a 5k. Landon ran the 1k with his friends while Randy took pictures. Whitney and I were back at the house getting ready for her 8:30 soccer game.


Randy was the M.C. for the ward parade, but Whitney and I had to miss it because we were at her game. She played the best she's played all season and had 2 assists and a great shot on the goal.


After the game we rejoined the rodeo action and were in time for breakfast. It was very good even though the bacon was all gone by the time we got there. I drove home to change clothes (I was make-up less and in my coaching t-shirt) then we all went to Landon's 11:00 soccer game.


Whitney got to hold our friend's sweet 1 month old baby and was thrilled.

So was I! Newborn skin softness, noises and smell are intoxicating.

Landon's team played great (they've had the best season!) and he scored 3 goals! It has been so exciting watching them improve so much and play so great. I will be bummed when it's over this Wednesday.


After the game, we joined the rodeo in action, and Whitney caught a chicken! The chickens didn't really catch the vision of the "chicken chase" and mostly forgot to run, but it was still great fun.

Doesn't this look like a heart? It's just begging for initials to be carved in it.

This was Whitney's first time riding a horse.

Flip flops weren't the cleanest footwear choice.

No LDS event would be complete without these chairs.

Austin really wanted to play with Landon, so I told Robyn to bring him over to the rodeo and then invited her and the girls (is that bad grammar?) to stay as well.


They all got turns riding this horse walker thing (technical term I'm sure).


Landon and Whitney had to hold their feet up so as not to hit the ground.

But Robyn's kids are tiny and weightless so they just flew!

This was so much fun for them.

It seems like I always catch animals in the act of relieving themselves. How would it be to just go any time in any place?

I can never tell what's going to end up being the most fun ever.

I thought these looked beautiful.

There was a bbq lunch following the rodeo and there was plenty of food!

It doesn't take much to please her.

Landon and Austin were so filthy after jumping the hay bales and swinging for so long, that when they poured water on their hot faces it produced streaks of dirt.

Clearly they were shook up about it.

Ashley was her usual adorable self.

I know it takes a ton of meetings to plan all the logistics of the ward rodeo, but it is so worth it! We had such a great turn out of neighbors and ward members and everyone had such a good time. It was so unifying and good to associate with so many great people and to be out doing something like this so close to home. We love living here!

**Have you ever accidentally taken yourself out of the fun?
When was the last time you do-si-doed?
Have you ever jumped a hay bale?
Do you often catch animals in the act?
It's understandable that we were wasted after all this right?**

Comment Window Tidbit: I need to get a job. I need money for Paris and for normal life. Surely someone needs my skill set for flexible hours, benefits and good pay right?