104th National Western Stockshow

For those of you not in the know, the National Western Stock Show is, well, a big show. It's different from our State Fair which is in the summer, and focuses really just on livestock. The Stock Show takes over a big arena complex aptly named the National Western Stock Show Complex (random fact, Travis took his PE exam there during non-stock show time many moons ago) in the middle of Denver for two weeks every January. Cowboys, cowgirls, rodeo-ers, ranchers, and pretty much anyone who sells anything to do with cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, chickens, rabbits, tractors, fences (you get the idea) come from all over the western US to compete, sell, or just be entertained. They come from places like California, Wyoming, North Dakota, Texas and everywhere in between. Oh yeah, and even a few Coloradoans, too. There are pro-rodeos and Mexican rodeos and dog shows and horse shows and fiddle championships and tractor races and everyone's favorite, mutton bustin'.

With just a few hours to spend at the show we didn't have time to see everything so we did the mandatory cruise through the chickens, rabbits, etc as well as the cattle and horse sheds. For mom and dad we meandered through the Coors Western Art Exhibit.

The first tough decision of the day came when FFM had to make the difficult choice between the train ride and the pony ride. Ponies won. FFM was first out of the chute in his group of riders and he picked 'Twinkle.'

AFTER the pony ride he figured if he asked about the train enough times we'd cave. No. We are tough parents. Off to see the art kiddo.

OK, you did so well at the art exhibit we'll stop at the tractors on the way to the next thing...

This one Daddy, I think we should take THIS one home. See, it's just the right size!

And that was the end of the interest in animals for the day. After that, the tractors, diggers, and other industrial equipment just got bigger and better.

"DADDY, it's THIS BIG!"

"Mommy, THIS ONE. TAKE THIS ONE HOME PLEASE!"

We wrapped up with the rodeo but only stayed for part, it was way past naptime and FFM was trying mightily to behave but was losing the battle. After getting excited about calf wrestling and kicking the lady in front of us with his hiking boots we called it a day and headed home.