Stampede 2012

It`s been nine years, since we did anything related to the Stampede. Usually, we are gone...long gone...camping in the Okanagan... or somewhere else... away from the mayhem of the Calgary during the 10 days. However, because of the 100 year celebration, we stuck around this year. It doesn't help that I have 4 kids that begged and pleaded months in advance,  that they just NEEDED to be here this week.

So, being that we were home for Christian`s birthday, we treated the kids to the afternoon rodeo, and some time on the midway. The rodeo, was spectacular as usual. With the crazy heat, thank goodness we had covered seats in the infield! The midway lost it`s intrigue and sparkle pretty fast though. The kids did get a chance to ride on all MY perennial favorites, but again we had the heat issue, and the lines...ohhhhh those lines!!!

We managed to sneak into the Saddle Dome to cool off a bit, and watch the International Marching Band competition. Just as we sat down, Bishop Grandin School started their set. It was magnificent.  Afterwards, we headed to the barns, and then ended our Stampede experience with a visit to the Indian Village. We finished our day, with some D-lish chocolate peanut butter ice cream cake at home.
Here are some pictures from our day. Enjoy!

Guy Weadick wanna be

Competitors for the day

Emilie enjoyed the barrel racing

This bull...

...was bull headed...

...he did not want to leave...

...he fought it until 2 cowboys dragged him back to the stalls.

Ride em high! 

Wild pony ride...this was the best. Teams of kids competing to ride on a wild pony.

This ``cowhand `` is 8 years old. Pretty darn good job rounding up the ponies. 

So...you know the swings...like they have at Heritage Park...the Stampede version is the same, just higher...HOWEVER ...THESE swings are the new age swings on steroids people!!!!! You could not pay me to go on these ones!!!!

Dave...not to happy...after dropping some serious cash...$ 50.00 per  ride wristband for the kids. I`m just giddy from the heat ;)

Ahh yes...The Zipper...they still have it...but I still won`t do it!!

Bishop Grandin Marching Band

Birthday Boy  ( I have a love hate relationship with the camera right now...its broken, and sometimes it focuses sometimes it doesn`t this time it didn`t)