Thursday, June 24, 2010

Branding 2010

Every year we head to Wyoming to brand Grandpa's cows.
I asked Tate to tell me how it's done.
Remember the following words come from my 7 year old son.

First of all, you saddle the horses. Well at least us cowboys do. I rode Hank.


Then you have to round the cows up, Mom's are "Mooing" really loud because they don't want you to take their babies. But we give them back.
Then you wrestle the calf to the ground and hold them down. Sometimes their legs slip and you get kicked, like last year when Dad broke his nose and all that blood came out.


We took turns sitting on Dad's lap holding the branding iron, I'm not old enough yet. Dad thinks we might get burned. The smoke stinks.


Then grandpa starts cutting the balls out. (castrating) We took turns holding the balls.

Even Sissy held the balls, I kept pretending I was going to eat them.
Tye helped grandpa give the shots, he didn't want to share.


We ran around and played with Luke, Cole, Jake, Tucker and Sadie. The smoke stinks.
The best part is at the end when we get to ride the calves. Yea Baby!!!





6 comments:

MaryAnn said...

Your 7 year old has some very good story telling skills. Holding the balls - gross!

Connie and Joe said...

Your kids are the luckiest ever to get to experience all those things. I came from a little ranch in SD and even though I dont have tons of memories, the ones I do have I hold dear. To have city grandparents and a set of country grandparents I think gives them the best of both worlds and to do all those things that city kids NEVER get to do(even hold the balls) is so good for them. Luv reading your stories. Connie

Tanner and Chelsey said...

WE HAD SO MUCH FUN WITH YOUR KIDS. THEY ARE SUCH CUTIES AND WE LOVE THEM TO DEATH!! THANKS FOR LETTING THEM ALL COME:)

Erin said...

I seriously miss your family!! James and I were just laughing about that time we went camping and the boys put the cheeze whiz can in the fire! I am so jealous of your trip to NYC! I went a couple years ago and want to go back... but have a husband who has no desire! Oh - and it sooooo did not surprise me that Wes got called to the Bishopric! He is a good man - that Wes is!!! Salt of the earth!

Travis and Nikki said...

Good times. Love the comments. We are so excited to come see you. we are leaving here on the 11th. Can't wait. Love you.

Mrs. Olsen said...

Holy cow! My favorite picture was of your sweet daughter smiling and holding cow balls! You should blow that up 8X10 and give it to her future husband on her wedding day...just as a friendly warning ;)