Day 2 of stampede ~ Running with Bulls night 1

Saturday started off early with coffee and the fellows off to the 10 am rodeo meeting. The weather is not looking favorable (sprinkled during the meeting in town a bit) so umbrellas and jackets were packed. Britt was not interested in attending anything today so stayed home.

The fellows were back to pick Helen and I up and off we went. Sure enough the entire rodeo performance was rain soaked. There was a little reprieve but not much but it did let up after it ended which was great as running with the bulls night #1 was ahead.

this is Tiger Warrior, son of the famous Calgary Stampede's Grated Coconut

We ate at the grounds before getting the set up underway. This year Ford is the sponsor so driving in 2 trucks was part of the night, Helen and I mastered this part easily as well as helping with set up, fence weights and take down.

rounds 1 and 3 from night 1 Running with the Bulls

The new trackside bar was enjoyed while watching the chuckwagons then we were off to the cabaret. It was a very fun evening of dancing and visiting many of the girls friends we hadn't seen in awhile. Dave and Britt met us there. Shaina joined us after her day working the golf tournament and was our driver home. B was the other DD as she is on call for 24 hrs/4 day long weekend duty. We were all safely home after 3 am.

First rodeo day

Coffee was grinding at the usual 8:30. Blair and Sheldon were off to town just after 9:30 for a rodeo meeting and work to do. I checked the rain and we had another 2 1/2/10th of rain last night. After breakfast and a visit Grama and Papa headed home after 11 and Mom about an hour later after loading the coffee table she is kindly taking back and Slim.

Papa has some "funny" money ;)

A quick pill delivery to hawk and garden check revealed I had a zucchini!! Wahoo. I watered quick In hopes of more growing. The fellows arrived for a quick bite of lunch before we loaded up and headed in for the rodeo. It was a lovely sunny day with us being lucky enough to sit for most of it in the shaded bleachers.

the little girl Roman riding is a local girl 7 years old named Piper, sorry my cell takes grainy photos when zooming in but those are fire jumps they are going over

After the rodeo we showed Blair and Helen around the grounds and trade show before stopping to shop at Lammle’s and dropping Criag’s pass off quick on route home. The 3 had naps while I worked on the blogs.  B caught the tail end of supper then she went out to ride in the gorgeous evening. Everyone headed to bed pretty early for a Friday night by 10.

Forgot to share photos Sheldon took of the hoof armor being applied the other day to Pepper, the thin epoxy goes on quick then set with talcum powder and in minutes it hardens to provide the protective coating. I think it really helped Pepper who is always tender on rocks on the river ride

Sheldon's Bday

Rain came down around 4 am and when checked this am there was 2 1/2/10ths from last night and this early morning. A great birthday gift for the prince ;)

Illingworth's were off to the city after breakfast to get the immigration cards they need to avoid anymore travel issues into Canada. Sheldon loaded up his skid steer forks up for neighbor Lorne while I let the horses out in the winter pasture. We then attempted to get the hay elevator up in the rafters but decided to leave till Blair was back. The black press back chair blog post went live.

Cement fellow was back to finish the gravel pad on the north side of the house

They arrived back to the ranch after 1, not long after a fellow stopped out to purchase a growth ruler.

Blair kindly helped Sheldon get the elevator tucked up to the rafters. The rain came down but let up as Grama & Papa were the first of the guests to arrive but it was not long before Kaylin, Shaina, Lexi and the cutest Frenchie puppy arrived.

 her name is Luna

Mom, Amanda and the kids were next and eventually after work Brittany, Darren, Sharon and Craig. Burgers hot dog and a pile of great salads, veggies, guac and bean dip were enjoyed (thanks ladies for helping me) Grady and Tyler stopped just in time for birthday cake and a beverage with Dave joining us later too. Even though the weather did swirl from rain to sun to rain to wind, the prince did get to start a fire.

baby snuggles

Archer loved blowing out the candles and even was so keen he left a belly mark in the cake ;)

there were a few naps throughout the night for a few

Sadly I did not get many photos and missed capturing everyone who attended Sheldon's celebration but THANKS again to all who came and brought food, gifts and helped me out! XOXO

very fitting gift from Ma and Pa K.. and had fire starters too ;)

horse teeth & sharp shooters

Britt was off to work and has the horses booked in today for dental appointments at 4. The morning was spent visiting while plans came together. Mom was off before lunch to pick up Amanda and the kids to run to the city to pick up some doors.

The fellows were off to the city after lunch to try their hand at all the artillery at the Calgary Shooting Centre. Helen and I went out caught Slim and I got him trimmed up for Mom of course in the hottest part of the day at 28 and hotter in the barn. At 3 we caught Bird, Hawk, KD and Pepper, loaded them up and headed to Moore's after 3 in the heat but as we got closer to Moore's temperature dropped and a storm threatened.

The first 3 were done quite quickly then Bird was up having flexion test, chiropractic treatments followed by her dental adjustment. The poor girl was still quite drowsy when B loaded her up after 6. B had to stop at the race track for a colic with Dr Jordan and we set off for home. The fellows had finished up, stopped in town for refreshments and were at home when we arrived. There was a tornado warning nearby but luckily it never came near us.

B was home soon after Helen and I unloaded the horses and were back inside. We changed quick and were headed to town for a late supper at OJ's. Thanks Illingworth's for supper. Rain came down as we ate but had let up by the time we arrived back at the ranch by 10:30. A cougar had killed a yearling nearby so Britt was out checking the horses in the dark to make sure all was well before everyone was off to bed.