Round-Up!

Last weekend ALL of Andy’s family came to Blanding to help with the Round-Up. This is when Kenny moves his cows up to the Bear’s Ears from the winter range. It’s so much fun to have everyone get together, and to see all the cousins playing. Except of course, Mom & Dad weren’t there and we missed them so much this time. It’s just not the same without them. We all went out on Friday and got camp set up and organized. Then we just ate dinner, made smores and hung out. Later that night Andy & I played night games with all of the older nieces and nephews, and it was so much fun! I haven’t played night games forever!
Since Mom wasn’t here to cook and prepare all the meals, each family took a turn cooking a different meal. This worked really well, plus we got to try everyone’s good home cookin’. The actual moving of the cows wasn’t until Monday this year so all weekend was just a good relaxing vacation. Everyone went in on Saturday night for church, except for Andy and I, (I know, I know, were heathens!) we just stayed and hung out together. We made enchiladas in the dutch oven which turned out to be really good, and then we made peach cobbler for dessert. We took our mitts and played catch and went on a motorcycle ride to the Arch Canyon overlook, and took a very long needed nap! I had so much fun just being in the mountains and enjoying life with my one and only.
Then everyone came back out Sunday night, and we woke up bright and early Monday morning to saddle horses. The actually horse ride took about 3 hours. It was really hot and buggy, but so much fun! We gathered all the cows we could find and then moved them across the road so they could start moving up the mountain.

We didn’t brand the calves until the next weekend, so not all of the family could be there to help. But it was still a lot of fun. This is actually my favorite part of it all. I love to be able to help brand. My job is usually to put the ear tags in, although I did get to sit on a few calves this year (very scary!) Andy is always on a horse roping the calves to drag them in or he's helping throw the calves down and brand them.
Andy, Taylor, Jared and I all rode motorcycles out to the Bear’s Ears on Friday after work. It was a pretty long ride, but definitely not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Then Saturday after we finished branding and had some lunch, Andy and I hopped back on our bikes and cruised home. This is the way to travel! We got home and checked our gas mileage, I ended up getting 120 MPG on my bike and Andy got like 60. It only cost us 6 bucks to ride out there and back.
I look forward to this weekend every year! I’m so happy that Kenny & Amber let us all come and help. Thanks guys!!


Tony, Logan & Avery out for a ride.

Ruby's Sunday nap, she is always so tired after she chases cows all day.

Me & Brielle by the campfire

Suzie and Stetson waiting for dinner

Me sitting on a calf

Amber and Stetson

That's my boy!

Taylor, Brooke Derr (Dad's mission buddy) and me finishing up a calf.

The Reason we do what we do.