A Night at the Rodeo

We took our family to the rodeo last night with our good friends the V's. Here are us girls heading out the door to get Randy and the kids. Aren't we cute? We need to get a cowgirl hat for K, the pink one doesn't quite cut it.
We took a hay ride to the gates. This was more for the kids benefit than ours, as we could have walked faster, but they enjoyed the ride.

I must say that we were non too pleased when we got to the gate and were asked if we were carrying any knives or guns. WHAT?!!? Are you serious? This is a rodeo. You know, where cowboys come to watch events involving cowboys. Of course we are carrying guns and knives! Unfortunately, there was a man with a wand checking everyone and if you had either you were not allowed in the gate.
I remember a time when all they asked was if you had any alcohol on you. I can understand that, they want you to pay their prices for drinks. But we all felt it was highly unconstitutional, UNAMERICAN, and weird to have cowboys tell you not to bring weapons into a rodeo. That being said, I will carry on with the nights events.

Oh, here is a picture of the cowboys and cowgirls using REAL guns with blanks to SHOOT balloons horseback. No one told them they couldn't have guns. It was fun to see how accurate they could be riding fast on a horse. I thought it was funny when the girls were asking why they could have guns when we couldn't. They also wanted to know why the riders didn't know you shouldn't point guns at people. We have taught them well, right?
The first event of the night was free-style motor cross by Metal Mulisha. These guys were AMAZING! The things they did on their bikes got my heart thumpin'. One guy did flips with his bike and they both were doing tricks involving steering with their feet lying down or grabbing onto the back of their bike with their feet straight out like superman then getting back on the bike before landing. We all thought it was awesome! Click on the pictures to get a better look at these tricks. I could have watched them for a lot longer.




After Metal Mulisha, they brought out the Monster Truck to drive around and throw out t-shirts. B and L really got a kick out of the huge truck.
I was so enthralled with the rodeo I didn't get any pictures after this one of the Eugene Emerald's mascot riding a bull. He did a pretty good job staying on in that big costume; I was impressed.
All in all we had a pretty good time at the rodeo. The girls LOVED seeing all the cowboys and cowgirls riding horses and bulls. They didn't quite understand the steer wrestling or the calf tying events but still enjoyed seeing the animals. All of them wanted a ride in the Monster Truck and on the mechanical bull. M was ready to leave after the fireworks, so maybe next time.
I definitely have missed going to the rodeo these past 8 years. I think we may need to make this a yearly event for the family. M really enjoyed the bikes but felt the rest of the rodeo lasted entirely too long. I may be able to talk him into going again next year. Maybe we will try out the St. Paul rodeo. I LOVE that one!