2016 Turkey Shoot

 It's November, so time for the annual turkey shoot. We don't shoot turkeys, but the winners take home turkeys. Desert Boy competed in archery.

He had a nice grouping.

Desert Girl and I had been practicing quite a bit. She didn't do all that well, but had fun.

This was the kids' archery winner. Three bulls eyes!

Then it was on to pellet guns.

And kids' .22s. Desert Boy really likes shooting. Okay, so do I!

This photo cracked me up. The picnic table is a nice resting spot.

There were many different categories of rifle and pistol shooting at various distances. At least four people had to be signed up for the category to go. I had perfect scores in two of the contests I participated in, but lost in the shoot-offs, so alas I didn't go home with a turkey. Neither did my husband, although he also did some nice shooting. The kids each got a cornish hen.

All ages participated. And there were some stylish dressers!

There was also a raffle, and we were lucky to get a gift card.

There were also hot dogs, elk chili, and other snacks for sale. Add fun times with friends, and it was a most enjoyable day. Until the wind really picked up. But that's another story!

2016 Wheel-a-thon

Every year the local schools do a fundraiser called the Wheel-a-thon. Kindergarten, first, and second graders ride eight miles, and grades three through six ride 16 miles. They get pledges for riding each mile. They also stop each mile to get a mark on their hands and to get snacks and drinks. I didn't think I was going to be able to attend due to a work conflict, but the day before that was solved, so I went. The day started out with riding the bus to the road that had been shut down for the event and meeting the new superintendent.

Then it was off under very cloudy skies. The weather forecast was not favorable, and I made sure to have a raincoat packed!

The kids were always eager to go after each rest stop.

Volunteers sit at the mile markers to hand out snacks and water and do the hand marking. Many of them come year after year.

The teacher had different kids lead each mile, but over all, the kids found a place where they were happy riding and mostly rode there, talking with friends and enjoying not being in the classroom for the day.

This volunteer has been helping for over 20 years and donated all her t-shirts from the event last year. I think someone is going to make it into a quilt.

Ready to go again! Fortunately the wind held off until the last mile and a half going south. Then it was at our backs for the entire ride back.

Then we met the younger kids coming the other direction. It was like a big reunion, especially with siblings in both schools. I finished riding with the big kids and caught up with the younger kids.

The younger kids are on much smaller bikes, some still with training wheels. I think this event helps the kids ride their bikes better faster, as they want to keep up with their friends.

Adults supervise and have fun riding too. We also got to be bike mechanics, as some of the kids are growing faster and needed to have their seats raised to ride more efficiently. And then there were flat tires, chains falling off, squeaky chains, and more. We kept everyone riding.

Desert Girl is delighted that there's another girl in first grade and they rode together the whole time.

I never noticed that there is a slight hill on this road until I looked at this photo! The school bus brought up the rear. We're almost done!

Just one more mile to go! These kids are good sports, ready to keep pedaling. And they sure had a lot of revolutions to make these little bikes go!

Those training wheels provide lots of friction over the course of eight miles, so these kids get an extra workout.

At the end we took a group photo of participants and some of the volunteers.

Then it was time to go to the gym for lunch. Yum! The Parent and Teacher Association provided the main course, and then families brought in side dishes.

And desserts. There was no shortage of food!

We were grateful to have the weather cooperate and such a great day outside. I think the kids learn a lot about life during this event, like perseverance and patience. Plus they get a good dose of exercise!

You can find more on my friend Jenny's blog.

Labor Day Kids Rodeo at Leamardo Days, Leamington, Utah

 On Labor Day, we went to Leamington, Utah for their Leamardo Days celebration. We bought tickets for the BBQ dinner, rodeo, and raffle. We also signed up the kids to participate: Desert Girl in mutton busting and Desert Boy in calf riding.

Mutton busting (little kids riding a sheep) was up first, and one of Desert Girl's classmates also participated. He rode the sheep backwards to get a better grip, and he sure did hold on tight.

What a face! He was bound and determined to stay on.

Eventually, though, he started sliding off, but he stayed on a good while, good enough to earn $20!

He had a little jaunt walking back. He had done it!

Desert Girl was very nervous about doing this, but she wanted to give it a try. She wore her cowboy boots and cowgirl shirt and some decorated leggings (she's going through a not-liking jean phase).

That sheep moved fast, and soon she was only holding on around the sheep's neck. (That darn railing was in my way for the photos!)

And then her arms weren't even around the sheep.

She was on the ground and getting up.

She was not at all happy about the falling part of the ride. But she did better than some of the participants, who didn't really even make it out the gate. She was awarded a package of Skittles, and that helped make her feel better.

Next up was the calf money run, where a calf has tickets on it and the kids try to pull them off to earn a buck. Kids were running all over the arena, including Desert Boy.

Next up was calf riding. Desert Boy was very nervous about this.

He loaded up in the chute.

And then he was off!

I mean literally off! He had a rowdy calf.

Ouch!

He didn't like the falling part either.

He said his calf riding days are over.

Soon after was the greased pig competition. Whoever tackled the pig got to take it home. Desert Girl was motivated. She wanted a pet pig.

The kids ran around and around in circles.

This kid dove for the pig but didn't quite get it, but eventually someone did.

There were other events like barrel racing, saddle bronc, and hide racing, but I didn't get photos of those because the kids really wanted to have snow cones and we were kind of worn out from the camping adventure the night before (more on that later). After it was all said and done, Desert Girl was really glad she had done the mutton busting, and wants to do it again. She's near the weight and age limit, though, so I'm not sure she will. Desert Boy is upset he can't do mutton busting, as that seems to him a lot less painful than calf riding. I'm glad the kids got the chance to participate, and I'm quite all right if they don't decide to take up rodeoing for a hobby or career, it's not an easy sport and the chances of injury are pretty high! It was great having an event where they could give it a try.