The RODEO!!

Our neighbor told us about a rodeo that was going to be in River Falls, WI (about 30 min from our house) and Matt was out of town, so I thought it'd be the perfect friday night activity with the kids---and we invited a few friends as well!

We had no idea how busy it would be!! Check out the line to get in that was behind us! It was even longer in front of us

Wyatt, our new neighbor Jack, and Blake

The boys giving their best lasso----everyone was delighted to wear their cowboy boots and hats! (Wyatt and Blake's hats are real Stetsons from Texas! Matt got them when he was speaking at a conference there last year and they were giving them out to the conference attendees--they sure came in handy!)

Livi, Gracie and Sadie

(Livi is actually a cousin to Sadie---her grandma and Sadie's grandpa are 1st cousins--but we aren't really sure what that makes Livi and Sadie!)

National Anthem time...

We got some pretty great seats! (All the stands were full by the time we got there--who knew?--but it ended up working out great and we got to be up close!)

Out of all the kids, Wyatt loved the rodeo the most. I think he would make a great cowboy--in real life. The open space, being outside, few people to talk to and hard work to be done--it would suit him quite well. Unfortunately it doesn't suit me so he'll have to wait until he's on his own to make that decision. But he was just fascinated with everything all night long! (And he'd make a pretty handsome cowboy as well)

These girls mostly loved the hats--it was like playing dress up!

Tucker (Livi's brother) and Blake taking it all in

These boys--so blessed to be their mom and so thankful for the bond they share.

I even got in the spirit a bit....

A few of the highlights for the kids that weren't quite as enthralled with all things rodeo---the rodeo clown came over and had a chat with the kids

The bucking broncos

And the shoe race...Sadie and Gracie and Livi all participated..the kids took their shoes off at one end of the rodeo and they got all mixed up in a pile while the kids lined up at the other end. When the whistle blew, they all ran to find their shoes. It was a lovely, dirty mess that all the moms were cringing over as we watched, but the kids thought it was just great! 

(Wyatt and Jack weren't interested in getting out in front of everyone and having people watch them and Blake and Tucker were too young)

We had so much fun and I love opening the kids' eyes to new experiences. Matt has always wanted to take us all to a rodeo (he had been to several when he lived in Indianapolis and also at his grandparents in Pennsylvania) but I had never been to one. So our entire family has now experienced a real rodeo!