2010 National Western Stock Show

Since we're now country folk, we had to attend the National Western Stock Show, which is held yearly in Denver. Now, this is a big deal. Competitors come from all over the country. It lasts fifteen days. So for two weeks Denver is taken back to it's heyday of ranches and cattle drives. It's also held during the coldest fifteen days of the year, which is why we have never gone in the past. But we found ourselves with a warm day when Patrick was able to leave work and off we went.

Our first stop was to eat lunch while sitting in the grandstand while watching a 1-year-old heford show. The irony: we were all eating bbq beef brisket.

Pretty much the biggest tractor the boys had ever seen. They, of course, asked if we could get one.

There was a very nice petting zoo with goats, sheep, pigs, ducks and an alpaca.

Eli absolutely loved petting the animals!!

And trying to feed them sawdust off the ground.

Daniel and Caleb got to go on pony rides. They loved it and are also asking for a pony now. Someday...

Eli didn't get to ride a pony and you can see from his expression what he thought of that!

This picture's just funny!

Daniel is standing in front of some Scottish Hilander cows. They are from a ranch just a few miles from where we live.

And finally, this horse really is that big. He's standing at the same level as Patrick. I have never seen a horse this big in person. He was beautiful and so sweet!

We had a lot of fun at the show. The boys want about fifty different animals now. I think we'll start with just a dog for now...