Little Buckaroo Rodeo's #1 & #2

This weekend the Little Buckaroo Rodeo Series started up with the first rodeo on Friday, January 14th and the second rodeo on Saturday, January 15th out in Tooele. These rodeos are perfect because they are all scheduled in the off season with 5 rodeos between January and March and then 6 more between September and November so they don't interfere with many other rodeos/horse shows or dance competitions.

At the rodeos they pay cash prizes to the top 3 places in each event in each age group but then they also place the kids 1st through 10th in each event in each age group at each rodeo through out the season. Then at the year end banquet in December they give out prizes based on how the kids did the entire season.

This is our first year doing this series and Peyton was so excited. I was a little nervous because with it being winter it's hard to find a place to ride so she hasn't rode a whole lot since last fall and I had heard that the competition at these rodeos can be pretty tough. But she did great! In fact, I think she rode and roped the best she had ever done at any previous rodeos or horse shows. Even though she didn't place in the top 3 she did have a few 4th place finishes and I believe she placed in the top 10 in almost all of the events both days. So she is off to a good start!


Peyton and Hallie warming up their horses 1/14/11


Leave a rope lying around and Houston is going to grab it. He loves to think he is roping like the big kids. 1/14/11


Houston, Peyton and Hallie ready for the rodeo to start 1/14/11


Dummy Roping 1/14/11. Peyton caught with her 2nd loop.


Houston cheering his big sister on. 1/14/11


Stick Horse Barrels 1/14/11. To be honest, Peyton is not the quickest on her feet. Actually, Houston is probably faster than her.


Hard to see, but this was the Goat Ribbon Pull 1/14/11. Another foot running event that Peyton will probably not master.


Barrels 1/14/11. She had a nice run and ended up 4th place.



Poles 1/14/11



Peyton, Hallie, Wyatt and Bridger warming up their horses 1/15/11


Peyton and cute Rummy 1/15/11


Peyton and Hallie 1/15/11


Houston loves going "Cheeeeeeeeese!!!" 1/15/11


Barrels 1/15/11. Another good run.


Poles 1/15/11. She shaved 26 seconds off of her run from the night before but hit the end pole thanks to her back cinch. Oh well, good run!



Dad helping Peyton get her rope straightened out 1/15/11.


Houston still thinking he is a roper 1/15/11.


Dummy Roping 1/15/11. Peyton caught on her 1st loop and ended up 4th place.



The proud dads behind the bucking shutes helping the kids get ready for the muttin bustin 1/15/11.


At the last minute Peyton decided that she wanted to ride a sheep. She rode so good but her sheep decided to stop right before the buzzer sounded and she went off the side. She has now decided she is going to ride in the muttin bustin at every rodeo. 1/15/11

Winter Fun

We got so much snow during the holidays and because it has been so cold the snow isn't going anywhere. The kids aren't complaining though. They have been loving playing and sledding in it.


Houston (AKA Cousin Eddie) helping his dad shovel snow after one of the huge snow storms between Christmas and New Years. Uncle Jason bought both of the kids these hats from Cabella's. We laugh cause when Houston wears his we say it makes him look like Cousin Eddie from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.



Houston loves tractors so when Bradyn brought this backhoe home he got so excited and now everyday he looks out the back door and yells "tractor" over and over again.


Bradyn and Houston moving snow


Houston had to park his little ride on backhoe right next to the big one


Every couple days Peyton has her dad pull her on the sled behind the 4-wheeler in our pasture. Between our 2 kids, Peyton is the tougher one when it comes to being cold. She can withstand longer than Houston can.




Houston will ride on the sled occasionally but usually he is perfectly content just riding the 4-wheeler

Christmas

We were fortunate enough to have my family come and stay with us again this year for Christmas. We had a full house with my brother arriving the Wednesday before Christmas, my Grandma Carolyn the Thursday before Christmas, and my Dad and Mom arriving early Christmas Eve morning.

We had 2 visitors at our house on Christmas Eve. Santa and the Tooth Fairy both paid a visit. Peyton had a loose tooth for about a month and wanted it out. So before the Birkinshaw Christmas Eve party my dad and brother tried to pull it out with a string. When they couldn't get the string to stay, Bradyn went to the garage and grabbed a pair of needle nose pliers and my dad pulled it right out. I could't believe she wasn't scared at all and she has been so excited showing everybody where her first missing tooth was.

I absolutely love Christmas because it means lots of time with family and we get to spoil our kids. I love to see how excited they get about Christmas. Here are some pictures from Christmas morning:


Our tree Christmas morning


Peyton sitting on her Barrel Saddle from Santa. If you look close you can see where her missing tooth once was. For somebody that always has an akward smile and tries not show her teeth in pictures, she is sure showing them off now.


Houston excited about his tool bench from Santa


Houston with his Uncle Jason


Houston opening his Buzz scooter from Uncle Jason


My dad. He's not much into pictures, can you tell?


And neither is Bradyn


And here is Jason. Hmmmm...I think there is a pattern. Must be a guy thing.

Oh, and where is my mom in all these pictures. I can't believe I did not get any of her. She must have been avoiding me. Since she didn't let me get any pictures of her then I guess I will just have to put up her video of dancing to the Wii game.


Houston on his motorized scooter from Grandpa Wes and Grandma Jill


My Grandma Carolyn

After we got done opening gifts at our house, we went to Bradyn's parents for a yummy breakfast and more gifts.


Peyton opening her B.F.C doll from Grandpa Brent and Grandma ReNae and another toothy grin


Houston with his dump truck and loader from Grandpa Brent and Grandma ReNae and tools from Uncle Shayne, Aunt Mandy and family.

Christmas night we had dinner at our house and had fun playing the Big Game Hunter Wii game, and watched a movie. On Sunday we hung around the house, went and visited cousins, and then had another great dinner at our house and this time played Peyton's Just Dance Kids Wii game. We even had Grandpa Wes, Grandma Jill and Uncle Jason grooving to it.

My Dad, Mom and Grandma left Monday morning to head back to New Mexico but it was nice to have my brother stay with us for a few extra days.

Thanks to our families for another wonderful Christmas!!!

Birkinshaw Christmas Party

Christmas Eve was the Birkinshaw Christmas Party at my cousin Calie and Dave's house in Salem. This party started out when I was a kid and was always at my Grandpa and Grandma Birkinshaw's house and was with my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins there was around 24 of us. It has now grown so much with some of the grandkids married and now all the great grandkids added to the family. There were just 7 not there and even with them missing there was still 31 of us, I think.

We always have good food, it is nice to see family we don't see that often, and then there is always gift exchanges. Thanks Calie and Dave for sharing your house with so many of us for a night.

I forgot my camera so just snapped a couple with my phone that didn't turn out very good.

Bennett Christmas Party

December 17th was the Bennett Christmas Party. We always have a good time there with all the good food, socializing with family (some we see all the time and then some not so often), playing the fun and wild games, and then the kids get really excited with a visit from Santa Clause.


Houston hitting the pinata


Peyton hitting the pinata while peeking under the blind fold


Houston gathering up all the broken candy canes and garbage none of the other kids wanted


The kids playing musical chairs


Houston wasn't too sure about Santa at first but then warmed up to him


Peyton has always loved Santa



Peyton with her cousins Preslie and Raylee showing off what Santa brought them


Houston playing with the truck, trailer and skidsteer that Santa brought him

Not Much New With Us

It seems like we have been nothing but busy but I can't seem to think of anything we have done that really stands out.

We had a good Thanksgiving weekend. My mom was able to come to town again so that is always nice to be able to spend time with her. She flew in on Wednesday, we had Thanksgiving dinner at my Grandma Pat's, the rest of the weekend we mostly spent trying to get a lot of our Christmas shopping done, and then she went back on Monday leaving a big box of gifts for the kids for 27 Days of Christmas. That's right, we don't do just the traditional 12 Days at our house. Not with my mom involved anyways. The kids are really enjoying it. Thanks mom!

Since then we have just been doing the day to day things while trying to get ready for Christmas. Bradyn has started working on the basement a little again while keeping busy at work. And I don't seem to have many spare moments with work, running Peyton around to school and dance, Houston has turned into a wild man, and we have been watching the National Finals Rodeo on tv every night for the last 9 nights. I have enjoyed it, but am looking forward to something else to put my attention on at nights after tomorrow.

I am usually really good about snapping pictures, but when I pulled out my camera to take these pictures of the kids today I had to blow off dust. Enjoy! I thought they turned out pretty cute even with my not so fancy camera. I had to make sure it still works in time for the busy next couple weeks with parties and the holidays.

Halloween Weekend

This year our kids definately got use out of their Halloween costumes between the Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland earlier this month, Peyton's dance and school parties, and then the Halloween weekend festivities.


Peyton and Houston on Halloween


Peyton the Champion Barrel Racer


Houston the W/G Racing Stables Jockey




Getting down and riding

Because Halloween fell on Sunday this year, we mostly celebrated it on Saturday. It must be a Utah thing because friends that I have in other states still celebrated Halloween on Sunday.

On Saturday afternoon we took the kids to my Grandma Pat's to visit with her and my Uncle Wade. There we loaded up on candy, homeade sugar cookies, and popcorn.


That night we went to Bradyn's brother Hadley's house. Hadley and Haylee invited us over for dinner and Trick or Treating through their subdivision. It worked out perfect since our subdivision does the Trunk or Treat and I prefer the traditional Trick or Treating.


All the kids before they went Trick or Treating (Houston in the back, then Preslie, Peyton, Raylee, and Hallie in the middle, and then Hazen and Colter in the front)

Hadley and Haylee were even brave enough to take on 5 other kids besides their 2 for a sleepover. Thanks guys for inviting us over for a fun night and for letting Peyton stay over! We all had a lot of fun.

On Halloween (Sunday) we went to Bradyn's parents house for a yummy dinner and visited with family while the kids all played together. Thanks Brent and ReNae for having us over!


The cousins on Halloween (Colter, Houston, Preslie, Raylee and Peyton)