*EXTRA long post, just a warning. :)*
Oh what a wonderful week it was! It went by way too quickly.
Oh what a wonderful week it was! It went by way too quickly.
Monday night was just the beginning, we went in that evening to set up pens and 'claim' our spots. It was so fun to see friends who I don't usually see other than the fair! Tuesday was spent clipping, washing and getting our pigs to take in early the next morning. Tuesday night I was babysitting and got home around 11:15, and just as I got in bed our home phone rang. I was wondering who would be calling this late at night, and was thinking that maybe it was Andrew telling us how Ester had went into labor. :) haha, as I answered it, my Aunt Marsha was on the other end telling us how James' steer had gotten out of his pen and was down the road past our pond. I woke up my dad, recruited Lee to come help catch it and we were all out of there like our house was on fire! Only problem?! We left James in bed, I didn't even think about waking him up for some reason! haha, long story short we finally caught it. It took me a while to go to sleep after that, so much adrenalin at midnight! haha. We sure are grateful that our cousins noticed that 'Smokey' was out, I don't know what we would have done the next morning if we went to get him and he was gone!
Wednesday I rode my bike to the fair while James ran, so fun! :) It's actually not that far and it was good exercise! We weighed our pigs in around 6:30 AM, both of mine made weight which made me very happy! Kingsley, my smallest pig, weighed 230 lbs., which was the minimum that they could weight! Rosie weighed 267 lbs., a pretty good weight. :) Wednesday was spent waiting around for Sherese and Shara to arrive, I was so excited to have them come!!! Wednesday night James showed his steer in showmanship (for those of you who don't know, showmanship is when they judge the person showing the animal, how much they know about their animal and how well they work with it etc). He did very well and got Grand Champion Intermediate (grades 7-9) Showman! We were very proud of him, there were different times when his steer would get scared and would try to get free, but James held on with all his might and he didn't let go once! I sure would have, that thing was huge (1,418 pounds:)!
Relaxing, watching James show!
James and 'Smokey.'
Andy & Ester bought the twins boots, they're soo cute!! This is Ester's boots and Ella's. :)
These two are so cute together, the bestest of friends!!
Thursday morning came and I was sooo nervous. I didn't even eat breakfast. Thursday they was Market, which is when they judge the pig and how it will taste by the looks of the muscle it has etc. Since Kingsley barely made weight, he was in the first class. Oh, by the way the judge this year wasn't that cute...he looked old. :) Anyways, I got second with Kingsley which wasn't too bad! I was excited for Rosie to show, she was a better pig since she weighed more. Finally class ten came around and I was showing Rosie! With butterflies in my stomach there were just two of us left in the ring and the judge finally pointed to me and told me I'd be first in my class. Phew! As I was waiting for the star class (the first placed pigs from every class who come together for the Grand Champion picking), James and Matt (James' friend who showed with us this year) showed. James got third in his class and Matt got second with both his pigs. Not too shabby! Finally the star class came around and the judge chose the grand and reserve. I was so happy for the boy who got reserve, that pig came from our farm and they've been showing for a while and this was their first time winning. I felt like I had won, I was so happy! Haha. I got 10th place over all, which is good! Plus, I got my first belt buckle ever!! I've been showing for nine years, have won numerous times and I've never won my own belt buckle! Finally my last year I earned it. :) haha. The rest of the day was spent with my friend Liz, and her two sisters. That night we went to the rodeo together, the next morning she headed off to Dixie for school. :( I miss her already!!!
Hiram having fun playing in the dirt. :)
All these munchkins love their Uncle James!
Pretty much this is the cutest picture I've ever seen!!
James showing 'Charcoal.'
This is me showing Rosie in the Star Class, 10th over all!
James showing his steer in Market Class.
The judge shaking his hand for 5th place over all!!!
Suzi just loves Hiram!!
See, they all love Uncle James!!
Showing Kingsley.
Anna is such a cutie!!!
Ella & Ava
Wy and Suzi playing in the dirt!
All the kids loved playing in the water. :)
Yes, Wyatt does have undies on. ;)
Bodee has the cutest grin & laugh!!
Family time...
Andie, myself and Liz at the rodeo on Thursday night!
- - -
Friday morning I was nervous again! But, I did eat a bit of breakfast. Friday was showmanship, I was excited! The show started at 8 AM, guess what time I started showing!? Noon!! The judge took way too long, but it was nice because since I was the last class he didn't take quite as long. Just before my class started showing, Steve Hall (the guy who is in charge of the pig shows) got on the mic and told everyone how all of us in the ring had been showing together for nine years and this was our very last time showing. We all shook hands, and then they took a picture. I just about started crying!! The fair has provided so many memories and I'm still so sad to think that I'm never going to be showing again. I will be back next year, there isn't a question about it!
Lee makes such a cute boardman. ;)
After the shows were over that day it was the peewee show, where all the little kids got to show. I showed with Suzi and James showed with Wyatt. It was pretty fun!! :)
On Friday I went to the rodeo with my friend Hayley, sadly I didn't get a picture of that! It was so fun though!!
- - -
Saturday was the sale! So sad, this meant it the fair was practically over! My pig sold well, and so did James' steer. The rest of the day was spent with family and friends, just making the best of my last day at of my favorite week!! This is the first time I went to the rodeo every night! 24 dollars later, I still think it was a good decision. :) haha, plus I had great company every night!
James getting ready to sell his steer.
Making my way to the auction! I can't even tell you how close to tears I was selling my Rosie.
I'm pretty sure we all get attached to our animals. :)
My last goodbye...just typing this makes me want to cry!
Rodeo fun with McKell and Meagann!!
- - -
I ran into my seminary teacher from sophomore year! That was fun, I was surprised he remembered me! We chatted for a few minutes, it was a lot of fun running into people I knew, some I hadn't seen for a long time! After the rodeo on Saturday I helped my friend pick up her pig's feeders etc., and I told her that we better hurry out of the fair or else I was going to start bawling. I did anyways. :) haha, I'm so sad that I'm done with the fair, but I am excited for this new chapter of my life!! I've paid my tuition and I've been applying for a few different jobs, although I am so sad to leave my current nannying job!
Until next year, County Fair!
- - -
I ran into my seminary teacher from sophomore year! That was fun, I was surprised he remembered me! We chatted for a few minutes, it was a lot of fun running into people I knew, some I hadn't seen for a long time! After the rodeo on Saturday I helped my friend pick up her pig's feeders etc., and I told her that we better hurry out of the fair or else I was going to start bawling. I did anyways. :) haha, I'm so sad that I'm done with the fair, but I am excited for this new chapter of my life!! I've paid my tuition and I've been applying for a few different jobs, although I am so sad to leave my current nannying job!
Until next year, County Fair!
1 comment:
Looks and sounds like you had a fantastic last year! Way to go! I'm glad you finally got your belt buckles. :D
Post a Comment