The National Western Stock Show!!

Yup, it's that time of year in our overgrown cow town! We have actually not made it to the Stock Show for the past two years...so it was with some pent-up anticipation that we packed up and headed to the Stock show last Thursday. We were pushing Q's naptime a litte, and it's been a busy week, so she fell asleep in the car on the way there...
...and took some waking-up once we got inside. I think this yawn with that teeny-tiny mouth is one of the cutest things about her...and there are a lot of cute things about her!
Oh, and the hat? It's a hat that my mum knitted for me when I was a baby! It's almost too small for Q, who is growing by the minute, but isn't it adorable on her?
(Lisa may recognize the pants ;)



After several days of temps in the low '70s, it turned a bit bitter, and even venturing out to the corrals for a few minutes was gruelling for a little girl who refuses to wear mittens. Still, she's a trooper.
A strong (and I mean strong!) cup of cowboy coffee is a nice bracer on a day like this!
Working dogs competing in the cow-cutting competition. Let me tell you, they are fast!
...and keen!


This cow is being blow-dryed. Yup. That's a cow salon you see there. Deosn't he look fluffy?
And proud of himself? I hate to say it, but I think they really take to the blow-drying. Must feel good in the January chill!
A couple of exotics.

Doesn't this one have a lovely part all the way down the back? Very stylish.
The truth of the matter.

This guy had an eye one me. He was suspicious. Veeeeeeery suspicious.
But man, did he ever have some marvelous ears. I wonder how long it took them to blow-dry those ears? How long do you suppose?
(btw, I took about ten pictures of him, making him suspicious-er and suspicious-er by the moment...unfortunately this was the only one that turned out even halfway clear. It's the black on black thing, I think: black eyes in a black face. Not a lot of contrast to pick up on here. He was MUCH more handsome in person, trust me.)
QQ greeting her first sheep. There were llamas in the petting-zoo exhibit, but the line was about three miles long and it didn't seem worth it...especially when you can pet the show sheep for free. Plus, when there are that many kids involved, I can't help getting a bit squeamish. That llama has just been petted by about eight bazillion kids since 9am this morning?....OK, first of all, I have no idea why the llama hasn't yet pulled out an Uzi and gone on a rampage. Secondly, his fur must be crawling with bacteria by now. More norovirus than you can shake a Princess cruiseliner at, not to mention herpes simplex 1, whooping cough, conjunctivitis, and just a touch of the black plague.

I think these sheep were getting ready for the air show.
...or are they in the Klan? Am I missing something obvious here?
No. I'm pretty sure they're aviators. Yup. Must be.
This one is a little skittish on the left side, it seems. Wonder what childhood trauma caused this problem?
The Red Baron gets ready for his next show.
"Makeup....makeup?????"
Doesn't this one look so cozy in that nice, white stable blanket? Do you think she ever thinks about her homegirls back in the 'hood, matted with dung and clay, sleeping in a ditch?
Nope.
She's just chewin' away.
Chewin', chewin', chewin'.
OK, I realize I might have gone a bit overboard with the aviator sheep. I think I may have a problem.
"Hello, my name is Maia, and I have a thing for sheep in hoods."
That really doesn't sound good.
...if only you could see the three dozen other photos that I didn't post!
The littlest sheep of all.
This is the "Cindy-Lou Who" of show sheep.
Can I get a collective "awwwwwwwwwwwwwww?"
QQ enjoying the stalls.
And checking out some dip mixes. Yes, we came home with one...or three.
What is it about cotton candy stalls? They're so photogenic.
Yeah, we had fun. A little more fun than is probably decent before noon on a Thursday morning.
Can I get another collective "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!"? This pose lasted for exactly one-and-a-half seconds....but I caught it.
My mum at the roasted nut stall. We ended up with a paper cone of candied almonds. Pure decadence.
And, uhm, well...QQ may have come home with a bit of loot as well. I don't think she even realized it at this point. She was just glad we remembered to bring her a yogurt snack. Thirsty work, stock-showin'.
M. and LaoLao contemplating an oinking pig.
Mmmm. I say, mmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Pretty hair.
OK, the hair probably didn't get that pretty on its own.
I have a feeling there was a lot of blow-drying involved.
And, uhm....check out the hooves!
Talk about salon care!!
Pink puffer, black track pants, black steer...interesting fashion statement. SO five minutes from now.
Like the Budweiser twins. These two charge heavily for appearances, and don't even ask them for their call list. Can you say "high maintenance"?
One proud carriage horse.
This pretty much describes Denver in January.
Oh, the home-pride. Quite the arena.
The pretties saddle of the week. Hard not to covet it. Even if it does take a couple stevedors to lift it.
Stylin'!
Cold, but game.
This dog was avidly watching his fellow competitors going through their paces.


Do you suppose I was photographing sheep? Seems likely.
Curious George the goat.
Saying hi to a piggie.
SOME PIG. (Please don't eat me)
A cut above.
Don't hate us because we're beautiful.