Kansas Biggest Rodeo 2010

Just like every year, the first weekend in August was marked by a trip home for Rodeo.  Though the "ops tempo" was a bit different with me being 8 month pregnant this year we still had a wonderful time.  We were able to be home from 3-9 August.  Sunday the 8th we had our 1st baby shower, and it was AWESOME!  I am in the process of getting pictures collected of that, then will post them! 

As for rodeo, we went to slack on Tuesday and Wednesday night for a while, and then the actual Rodeo ran from Thursday through Saturday night.  The weather was actually beautiful the whole time.  Thursday night I had actual goose bumps, who would have though!  A front came through just before the rodeo began and cooled things off for us, this pregnant lady was VERY grateful. Saturday was the only night that was pretty warm, and by sundown even that day was nice.  The parade that afternoon, in normal style, was really hot!  Fortunately, we got to watch it with my friend Angela T. from inside her dad's office in the comfort of air conditioning!

We so look forward to going home each year for this event.  It is a wonderful time to catch up with family and see a lot of friends that we don't get to see often.  I have a friend who lives in Alaska that comes home for Rodeo and Christmas every year, so when I say it is practically a major holiday in town that is not an exaggeration!

My brain was failing me a bit I guess because I didn't get to many pictures, but here is a few of what I did remember (or mom remembered) to click:

Tough enough to wear pink night (Thursday).  They do this each year to raise money for the local Relay for Life and promote Breast Cancer awareness! Many PRCA rodeos across the nation do the same thing.

Mom & Dad on Thurs..dad didn't get the memo to wear pink, I may have to get him a new pink shirt for next year.

8 months pregnant, I told Patrick, my brother, when we found out that we were expecting that my goal was to go riding at rodeo.  We just told him I would need a horse he trusted enough to put his niece on.  He had just the horse (a very gentle 4 year old, I may add)  I was able to get in the saddle with no help (also a goal) and we had a great ride!!  I am pretty sure between Aunt Megan and Uncle Patrick, our little one with have plenty of riding options when she is big enough....and lets be real....her own pony!

Tim's brother, Alex, drove the ambulance in the parade on Saturday afternoon.

One of my best friends, Samantha and her daughter.  Addie had been waiting for this all week.  She is the cutest thing ever!

Singing the National Anthem on Saturday night is a tradition for The Amendment and Amendment Alumni. Always fun, but I am starting to feel pretty old.

Samantha & I on Saturday night.  We had a great time, and I love getting to catch up with her each time we are home! Miss you Sam!!

Tim and I

Patrick and Megan

And now we finally know what the inside of that barrel looks like! 

For those that aren't familiar with rodeo, during bull riding there is a barrel put in the arena as some what of a distracter for the bulls, this allows the Cowboys/Clowns to get away safely or  put something between them and the bull...also there is a clown inside the barrel.  Needless to say, sometimes he will go for quite a ride, as was the case this year. During some of the Clown acts they will also change costumes inside of the barrel.  We have said for years...I wonder what the inside of that barrel looks like or how big/heavy it really is. Well, this year the mystery is solved.  It is pretty big, heavy...about 80-90 pounds, and basically just really padded inside with not really anything specific to hang on to.  You would just have to brace yourself on the sides of the barrel.  Now we know the answer to the age old question, "what does the inside of the barrel look like?!"  If only I though my belly would have fit in there, I would have tried it out too!