Branding 2011

Well, if calving wasn't enough lets have branding right after and the day before we leave on a trip.

It wasn't too bad, but work like usual. It ended up being a BEAUTIFUL day- the day before stormed and I was stressed because I was planning on having the cowboys eat outside so I didn't have to move furniture- but the sun came through.

 Ever since we had vet students for a month, Cinch's anxiety is on a all time high. He has to be RIGHT by you. Not in a different room or another level of the house. Its frustrating but his little body and mind had a long 35 days. This is how he spent the branding day, holding Daniel's hand really tight.

 And he showed off his old hat that needed to be replaced. He thought it was pretty cool that the crown and brim were separated, luckily we were headed to Smith & Edwards in 3 days.

I LOVE the smell of branding smoke, it's a spring time smell, like burning ditch banks- I love the smells.

So many ropers for the day,

Of course our General Manager, Chip

He doesn't just sit in an office. 

 And they even got our accountant, Thadius, to learn to rope. He drug at least 5 to the fire, really good for his first time roping.

 And over on the right draggin in a calf is Robbie Petersen, a kid that grew up down the road from me and went to high school and college with both Daniel & I. He's out on an internship this summer and loving the ranching life.

Breakfast Snack

Cinnamon Rolls and Juice

And lunch time.

On the Menu

Brisket, Red Potatoes w/bacon & cheese, rolls, Jami's Baked Beans, fresh fruit, veggie tray with Krieger Dip, green salad

and

Brownies & Ice Cream for dessert.

Cooked for 50 fed just over 30

BIG Sigh of relief after this was all done. No more cooking for big groups for a while, and all our cows and calves are together and turned out to the summer pasture rotation.

After everyone left came- clean up and packing for our whirlwind of a trip to UT/ID the next morning.