Rodeo Houston!

One of the funnest things about Houston in the springtime is the Livestock Show and Rodeo that takes over the city for weeks.  It's the biggest thing in town and everyone from miles around flock to the Rodeo grounds donning their cowboy duds. Banners are flown up and down the streets, and the concerts, shows, and eats there are the talk all over the place. We, ourselves, made it to Rodeo Houston again this year while Christine was in town and had ourselves a hip-hollerin' good time.

Christine and I did our best to fit in with all the cowboys.  The kids did a much better job.

First stop of the day? Mutton bustin'.  I tried to convince Eliza to ride a sheep but since she was old enough, but she didn't want to get her dress dirty.

And understandably so.

We did have fun watching the other little kids try.

Next stop?  Rides.  We went through dozens of tickets and still the kids could have gone on forever.

Love these three pretty girls with their three pretty horses.

Lydia was too little to go on the sky lift but she waved from below as we followed them all the way across the fair grounds.

Next we got lunch.  It was a really tough choice. . . Brig couldn't decide between a gigantic turkey leg. . . mmmm. . .

or mealworm pizza in honor of Hegemon.

There was also chocolate-dipped bacon. . . and funnel cake.

But eventually the kids decided on sausage on a stick and cheese pizza.

For dessert we got fried ice cream. . .

fried Oreos. . .

fried brownies with ice cream. . .

and help-yourself flavorwave slushies.

Everyone was satisfied.

It was supposed to rain and we brought rain ponchos and umbrellas.  Instead the sun came out and Eliza was grateful for the shade of the stroller. (and I was grateful I had sunscreen in my bag!)

We headed indoors to see the livestock. Lots of big cows, goats, sheep, and pigs.

Everyone's favorite section was the nursery where baby animals were being born everyday.  Here are some 2-day old piglets. . .

a week old lamb. . .

and a calf born earlier that morning.

Isaac drew a crowd with his hilarious impromptu conversation with this stuffed deer.

I loved the quilts.

Hooray for the Houston Rodeo, blue mustaches, big-horned cattle, pink piglets, fast roller-coasters, deep fried delights, cowboy hats, sunshine, and Christine who made the whole day ten times the fun!