Branding Day

Branding day comes once a year, but for some reason this is the first time I was a spectator/helper (I did open the gate for their burned buns to run through to safety after all). I am not the biggest fan of the roping, pulling, take down, burning method of branding the cows - I would prefer to see them all lined up and calmly prance through the shoot, get poked with the hot iron and walk on their merry way, but that idea tends to get an eye roll from those know-it-all cowboys...apparently my movie screen version doesn't exactly work as I imagine.

The entire day was spent wrestling, pulling, prodding and tormenting the cows - and they saved the final (and smallest) cow for the end - for Jaxon. Here are some photos...enjoy!

Jax ready for the day!

The unsuspecting vacas.

Operation take down begins.

My spectator pal Riley.

Taking a break from the hard work for a little fun.

That's what ya get!

YEEOUCH!

If I look at you with these eyes can you get me out of this??

Jaxon's turn!

Checking out his cow...so loving.

This is, by far, my favorite photo of all time!!!

Riding off into the sunset - see the
biggest horse on the left? That's my boy!

He's 5!!!!

Jax turned 5 last month and we celebrated with a carnival birthday party at the outdoor soccer field. Most of the kids from his school came and with the help of about everyone I know, we pulled it off and had a blast!

Here are some pics and a video of the pinata at the end! Enjoy!!!

Welcome to Jaxon's Carnival!!

The Birthday Boy

Putt putt golf station! This is Leyden.

Target Practice

Fishing Station

Penny Toss

Pin the nose on the clown

Football Toss

More golfing...

Mystery box...meet Camilla (I love this kid!)

Game time!

Finally...the PINATA!

Yummy cake - thank you MIMA!!!!

A big, huge, enormous THANK YOU to everyone who came to help me - I couldn't have done it without all my wonderful volunteers (who really didn't have a choice in the matter - we were offering tortiburguesas after all)! Much love to you all!!!

Graduation Day

Each year, Jaxon's school hosts a graduation ceremony for the entire class. It usually consists of starting painfully late, sitting through several country, province, town and school songs, flag ceremonies, speeches, squirming children, odd performances and finally...food.

This year was no exception - but the kids were so damned cute you couldn't help but enjoy yourself (and we had the iPod to entertain Riley and Aaron so they were happy too!).

The squirming children were rewarded with toys and food, all the tables had a bucket of candy, and everyone left happy.

Here is Jax in his elf costume.

Super excited about his new ears!

Super excited about the bowl of chocolate!

Each child was introduced...one.at.a.time.
Jax entertained the crowd with a splendid bow.

All the little munchkins (in this age group)

The kids and their families watching the show... dancing and singing along.

The show - two elves, a princess and a...yeah I don't know what he is supposed to be.

Jax and his buddy Leyden checking out their new toys.

The end.