Mutton Bustin' (Greeley Style)

So if you read my blog last September you may have remembered my post here about Ethan's first experience mutton bustin' in Seattle.  Since it was such an entertaining and exciting experience for our household we decided to sign him up again at the Greeley Stampede!

In September Ethan and I trained beforehand, I was the sheep...this time the pregnant momma was not willing to be the sheep so Ethan prepared in his own way.  The day of the rodeo the boys were so tired, so I put them both down for naps and fell asleep myself.  Ethan was way too excited to sleep so he was playing around, going through unpacked boxes downstairs.  He found his first Halloween costume from when he was 7 months old and put it on.  I woke up from my little siesta to find him in his baby chicken suit.  I couldn't stop laughing.  He wore it the rest of the afternoon...I suppose he was just getting in touch with his inner barnyard animal to prepare for the rodeo.  I took this video of the new and improved "chicken dance:"

When we got to the Stampede we realized quickly we were not in Seattle anymore!  I didn't know Greeley was so intense about their mutton bustin.'  When I signed Ethan up I was surrounded by Dads in cowboy boots and hats that were questioning the lady about the rules, regulations, what made a winner, etc.  They were intense giving their little cowboys last minute pointers, one Dad even took his son out to do wind sprints beforehand to warm up.  There were little busters that had their own chaps, spurs, boots and hats.  One little guy announced he will be the future bull riding champion of the world, he had his own vest and helmet.  Instead of holding on with both hands he tied one hand on like a bull rider.  It was crazy!  I never guessed Greeley to be such a rodeo town, I should have figured being only an hour away from Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Well poor Ethan had to watch pretty much everyone go in front of him, because he had to wait for a helmet that was big enough to fit his head!  He was clutching on to his Daddy pretty tight, but still wanted to ride when it was finally his turn.  It was a quick ride, if you ask him he says he "went about 2 minutes."

So fun, he thought it was "great."  Next year we will have to get some official western wear!

After the main mutton event we enjoyed the rest of the Stampede.

We saw a real knight joust.

Caden found a cool place under the bleachers.

We loved the rodeo.  Caden especially loved the cows and the neighs.  I think he's my little country boy.

And we saw a bear shoot a basketball.  How can you beat that?

The best part was that the whole night was free!  There are so many perks to having an employer!!!  Now I need to figure out where I can buy a sheep so Ethan can really train for next year!