Rodeo

The rodeo has come again and the weather was exceptional this year. Usually we are watching in sweltering heat but this time it was overcast and threatening rain for the three days, dropping the temperature dramatically.
We did a fundraiser for the fire department by selling shirts. Rachel figured out how to do screen printing and we sold shirts we successfully screen printed by ourselves, super cool!
We made enough to host a better fundraiser. (I know, it's funny to fund raise to pay for another fundraiser.) We had to start somewhere.
The kids enjoyed the usual chicken chase and boot race. The most exciting event occurred when Kevin and I finally got to do the Donkey-Watermelon Race. It was something you just have to experience to understand. Just watching it is an experience, but we actually did it! Our donkey set off running immediately and we both fell off just as immediate. We then chased the animal across the whole arena and Kevin finally grabbed the rope and I grabbed a watermelon. Kevin then proceeded to plow the dirt as the donkey did not want to stop. I followed as he kept telling me to get on the moving animal. I just couldn't do it until he stopped the donkey in the fence. I made it on but the trick was to get Kevin on too, which did not happen and I fell off with the melon as it cracked but was still intact. He made that donkey go in circles as he pulled the rope to make it's head go into its shoulder. Finally, SOMEHOW we got on again right when someone crossed the finish line. There was still no chance for us to finish since our donkey had decided to go the opposite direction with no hope to turn it around. We were both happily exhausted and the watermelon was especially good.
Rachel took the donkey race pictures for us. She did great especially since everything moves pretty quick! Thanks Rachel!