Branding: Part II

Carter finally got her ride after all the cattle were penned. She was so excited! She had to wear her hat just like her dad, and was upset that I couldn't find her sunglasses--that I think got left at my moms. Regardless, the horse ride made up for it all.

Carter and Sterling guarding the pop and mostly staying out of the way. Carter wasn't real crazy about all the noise and the smell of branding smoke, but for the most part she was content to watch all the commotion, especially once I got her up wind. It didn't hurt to have Sterling around for entertainment either. Sterling was mostly excited about getting his chance to rope. We left before he had his opportunity, but he was sure to tell us first thing at dinner after the branding that he had caught two calves. Not bad for a first grader!

I just really liked this picture of my brother and my dad. My brother is expecting a little boy in July and I just can't wait to meet him.

Robert helping hold down a calf for branding and below, him and Picky hauling in a calf he roped. It was such a perfect day--not too hot, not too cold, just right. Carter and I only stayed for about half of the branding then headed home. I have lots more pictures and I'm hoping to get them posted somewhere online with a link.

The trip out of the pasture was a bit hairy. We borrowed my brother's truck to get back to my car. The road winded up and around some pretty steep hills and his driver side door wouldn't shut! I was trying to drive a manual transmission truck, hold on to the door and drive. I was just very glad to get back to my car. (We were however grateful that Clint did lend us the truck so we could leave early!) Carter was completely worn out. She fell asleep in the car before we got home and took a nice nap. Mom promptly followed suit! Later we went down to my mom's house to eat dinner with the branding crew. I really didn't want to go, but if I didn't we would be eating macaroni salad for the next month since I got a little carried away when I made it. Plus my mom had made pie and there was fresh watermelon--Carter's favorite right now. She had a big time playing with Sterling and Chance until the two boys got a bit carried away and flipped her over her little trike pushing her down the hill. However, no blood and she was mostly mad at being "bucked" off her trike.