YeeHaw!

For Christmas this year my parents gave my kids an experience instead of buying them a gift.  I was super excited when Mom told me they were thinking about doing this.  I am all about doing things with the kids instead of buying them more stuff.  They were having a hard time getting what they thought the boys would enjoy most - Iowa and/or Iowa State basketball tickets, Barnstormer tickets - so they decided on Rodeo tickets - they even got them western shirts to wear that night.  I thought that was perfect!  My kids are such seasonal sports fanatics (and toy players) that I thought this would be a good switch and a perfect new thing to experience.  They absolutely love mutton bustin' at the Iowa State Fair so I was such they would enjoy this too.  They even got tickets for Jon and I to go. Plus what was even better - Mom and Dad were going too - they would be able to watch the boys experience their gift too!
 
So, since neither Mom and Dad or us have a vehicle big enough for all seven of us to fit in - the plan was to meet at Wells Fargo.  We picked up the boys from school and headed to Des Moines.  I got a text message from Mom saying that the weather was getting worse and that her and Dad weren't going to chance it.  The boys (along with Jon and I) were so bummed.  We were hoping to share this experience together and unfortunately it turned into just a little family affair.  We made the most of it and had a great time.  I checked out the website before hand and saw that they were having a "cowboy tailgating" party before the rodeo - and all (or most of it) was FREE!  Things like cowboys signing autographs, pony rides, roping bales with horns, walking behind the chutes - you could see all the bulls and horses up close, sign your name on the rodeo clown's barrel, sitting on a real live bull (this was the not free part) and riding blow up horses and bulls.  The boys did it all.  It was so much fun.  We had about an hour down there and then it was time to head up to find our seats.  We had pretty good seats too.  It wasn't your typical rodeo - mainly just bull riding and bronco riding.  They did have barrel racing - my favorite and mutton bustin'.  But the funniest thing the whole night was the ostrich riding!  Hilarious!  Besides the part that Mom and Dad couldn't make it - we had a GREAT time.  The boys still pretend to bull ride (you know - one kid is the bull, the other is the cowboy and you have to see how long you can stay on).  We are thankful for the experience they gave us - just wish they could have been with us.  Maybe next time.  Thank you again Mom and Dad for the wonderful gift you gave.

Before we headed out to the rodeo - all spiffy in their new western shirts!

 

 



 

Will trying to learn to rope a "calf".  He did it too!  The other two tried this as well.

 

 

Anthony "riding" the bull.  He was the only one that wanted to sit on him - which surprised me.

 

Signing their names on the Clown's barrel and also getting the Clown's autograph.  The boys still talk about the things the clown said or did (and sometimes try to copy him)!

 

 

 

Charlie riding the pony - they all did this too!

 

Yes I realize this picture doesn't really belong - but this was the next morning at our hotel.  I've already blogged a little big about this, but didn't share any pictures. And yes, Charlie is pretending to surf!