Scary Fun

This was on the last day that we went to CFD. The boys had always wanted their faces painted so I finally gave in. Can you guess what they are?

He had such a blast with this! He said he wants to do it every year. Notice he is wearing his PBR hat? Yeah he likes to do that to me. Remind me he was the one that went to PBR, not me. Did I tell you he was a VIP at the PBR. That's right, he was a VIP at the PBR at CFD.........

Next up: what could he be?


He would not quite looking at himself in the mirror she is holding. No expressions. Just looking. Do you know why dinosaurs are now extinct? It because of this: 100 degree heat and a kid that spills his drink all over himself. Well maybe that's not why dinosaurs really are extinct but it had a lot to do with the one on his face.
Look at that look! My oldest boy really gets into things. There were other looks but I didn't want to scare you too bad.

Their Heartbeat

This was the first year we took the time to go to the Indian Village at CFD. It was really enjoyable and if you get to CFD you should take the time to go see it. A tribal elder woman described the dances and the costumes as each new dance came to perform. She said the song is the heartbeat and without the heartbeat there is no dance.

This one is one of the Fancy Dancers. He intrigued me the most. I think it is not only the colors but the fact that his eyes are covered as well.
I loved watching the younger children perform. They start as soon as they can walk.

Three of the Fancy Dancers waiting to perform.

This woman was so impressive: elegant and athletic all at once. She was invited from the Black Hills to perform with this group here at CFD. The CFD committee wanted a Hoop Dancer and they were lucky enough to get her to perform.

This was so amazing to watch. She danced to the heartbeat (their drum) and all the while was changing the position of the hoops. Now, I am an athletic coordinated person, but I'm sure I would have fallen over, dropped the hoops and made a complete fool of myself from the very beginning. It was obvious she was proud of her people, her dance, her culture. She gave the dance everything she had.

She was really spinning and moving too. I finally slowed the shutter speed down to give you an idea of motion. It was really a great time to watch them and listen to their music.

Thunderbirds and Powerlines

Of course while Cheyenne Frontier Days was going on we HAD to go see the Thunderbirds. Last year we went right to the viewing area. Now that is an exciting, loud time, let me tell you. This year I wanted to see them but not so up close because of little man. What kind of mother would I be if his little ear drums blew out when the Thunderbirds do their sneaky flyby? He can go to concerts when he's bigger and blow his own ear drums out.

To back up a little bit, in the morning we went to the Pancake Breakfast. We didn't get there very early because the oldest son was at PBR (Professional Bull Riding) with a friend until 11:30 the night before. Hold on... let me mourn the fact that my son has more fun than I do...... ....... sniff ........ sniff, sniff...... I wanted to go to PBR........ sniff....

Okay, I'm back here!

We went to the Pancake Breakfast and waited in about 2 miles of line. Actually, I'm not really kidding on this one. It is a long line, but it does move fast. And it's worth it. And I love pancakes. And watching 'em throw pancakes is a kick. And I love pancakes. But wait! This is a Thunderbird and Powerline post - stay focused, Carin!

PBR, Pancake Breakfast.... hurry, we're gonna miss the Thunderbirds. I told the kids to cram those pancakes in their mouths and we took off for a viewing area. We went to a top of a hill in town. A top of a hill that was covered in powerlines. UGH.

Look, there's the Thunderbirds. Look, there's the powerlines.

"Hey, Mom.... those pictures aren't going to be any good with all those powerlines in the way".

Ah, man. A close fly by and the powerlines are in the way. What is with these powerlines anyway? Good grief, they're everywhere. Someone should really do something about these powerlines. It's an atrocity! It's appalling. It's unacceptable. Oh, what's that you say? What about those powerlines? They're my husbands? Lineman? DOE? You mean they go right to the substation? To the substation where his truck is parked this very minute? The very powerlines that pay our bills? That feed and clothe our children? That keep little man in diapers? Oh. You don't say. Well..... who needs diapers anyway?

Look Ma, no powerlines!

See ya next year, Thunderbirds. We'll be in the viewing area for sure. We'll just let little man blow his eardrums out cuz were never letting him out of the house to see a concert anyway!

The Grand Parade

More pictures from the Grand Parade. There are hundreds of entries in the parade. Probably about 752,681 horses! Okay, not that many but there are a TON of horses. Old cars and tractors, the list goes on.

I really liked this picture of a grandfather and grandson. I didn't get the John Deere in the picture because I was so intrigued by this pair.

One of the original buses for Yellowstone. I would love for someone to share any memories or information they have about these old buses. Please share!

I snapped this picture of the fire engine at the last minute because I was busy waving to all the people I know on it. I wasn't going to include it except Carl commented on a horse drawn fire engine. No, it's not horse drawn but it does also steer from the back. I would love comments on this one as well.

Hey, this looks like us when we moved here! (The one above, not below - come on people!)

This float always has a lot of fun. They are totally soaked by the end of the parade route.

Altogether now... "Boooooo Booooooo"

Oh, no! He's getting away, that scoundrel. Run! Catch him. "Boooooooooo"

"Booooooooooo"