Greeley Stampede Rides Again

One of our favorite parts of living in Greeley has been the Stampede!  Even with the big move looming overhead, we couldn't miss another chance for the boys to mutton' bust!  We were excited to have Grandma Karen, Grammy Tammy and Grandpa Peterson join us for the festivities!

We won this selfie contest on Instagram and I won a free pair of boots!  Clark won some jeans and a shirt!  It was Ethan's idea to wear the horse costume...I'm sure that's what put us over the top!

We started the day with some mutton bustin'!  The rules say you have to be at least 4 years old to ride.  Our littlest cowboy spent the entire day trying to convince us that he was 4.  "I am 4!" he would say.  But the little cutie didn't get to bust any mutton this time around.

The boys sizing up the sheep.

All suited up and ready to roll!  Once again finding a helmet big enough for Ethan proved to be the biggest challenge of the day.

They both had great rides!

Ethan had the slowest, calmest sheep ever.  Made for a pleasant little ride, and made us feel sorry for the sheep.  His second ride later in the day was a little more exciting.

Caden's sheep was a wild one!  He was coached by my Dad beforehand that real cowboys grab a handful of a dirt and throw it at the ground when they get bucked off.  He promised the boys a milkshake for the dirt throw.  Caden remembered!  Right when he falls off he throws a little handful of dirt, so funny!

Only Caden would end up with sheep manure down his boot!

The rest of the day we enjoyed a bull fighting show, a few rides and some other exhibits.

Ethan found his buddy Koen.

Caden is the best ride buddy because he laughs the whole time!

In the afternoon we met up with the Fowlers.  Caden wanted to mutton bust again with Kylie and Mason.  Ethan did not.  When it was all said and done, Ethan ended up going for round 2.

It is definitely Ethan's last year!  He about smashed the poor little sheep!

I love how high his foot was in the air!

Leaving the Stampede about broke my heart.  Ethan and Caden were leaving Greeley the next morning to go to Idaho on their "private vacation."  When they said good-bye to these kids it was hard to watch.  All of these kids get along so well!  If my boys ever had a choice on who to invite over there was no hesitation, "the Fowlers!"  We miss them!