Branding

My parents and grandparents live on a little hobby farm with a small herd of cattle.  Every year in early summer the whole family helps brand, tag,   This year there were only eleven calves, sometimes they have around twenty, so branding went by fairly quickly.  It also probably helps that with me and Laci married there are two extra boys in the family.  My dad loves having more sons. 

 

Mom riding Jethro the mule.

Dad roping calves off his mule George.

Bryce vaccinating while Laci's husband Brian helps hold down the calf.  

My dad is a real live cowboy.  Even though currently his "cow dog" is a shih tzu he's still the toughest guy I know.

The branding.  This part smells awful!

After everything was finished we had a big lunch on my grandma's patio.  It was a long but fun day with everyone.  I love days like this with my family on the farm.  I feel lucky to have grown up there and I am glad that I still get the chance to go back and help every now and then.  Especially when my "help" is being the designated picture taker.  I'm okay with that.  I'll let the boys tackle the calves and do the dirty work.

-Kami