Fourth in George, WA

For the past several years, our family has been going up to George, WA for the Fourth of July.  The first year we went for the parade and pie.  Then we started doing the 2 mile Cherry Bomb Run/Walk, and my dad took his jeep in the parade a couple years ago.

This year I used signing up for the Cherry Bomb Run as motivation to start running again.  My goal was to run the whole two miles.  This little goal probably sounds silly, as it does to me, as I was a four time individual state qualifier for the cross country championships in high school, hold a record for my high school for fastest woman's time at state, have run a half marathon, and have completed a good handful of triathlons among other races.  Two miles really isn't that far, but it is tough when it hurts to run and you start getting ready 3 weeks before the race.  I met my goal!  And have not ran at all in the 3 days since. 

After the race, I pulled the pooper scooper wagon through the parade behind Erin and Chuck.  This was Erin and Chuck's first parade together as Erin rode as 2013 Colorama Rodeo Queen.  The two of them as a pair is a pretty sight and they sure got lots of waves and "they're so pretty" from the crowd.

 

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Fourth of July, and got to enjoy some fireworks!

Remembering Uncle Steve

So I have had the privilege of gathering photos from our old albums, family, and Facebook for my Uncle Steve's memorial service.  Seeing all these pictures of him have been sad because of the reminder that he has passed.  However, its also been really fun to reminisce the past, see how happy he was, watch styles change, and see how the family has grown.

Here are a few of my favorites.

Steve in France-2011

Thanksgiving in Royal City-2011

Steve and Maddie-1995

Tull family

Steve and Andrea near Vantage-late 80s

Tull Christmas-1983

Uncle Mike, Uncle Steve, and Papa-2001

Senior of high school in Oak Harbor.

 



Steve with his UW football tickets.

 Tull brothers: Uncle Chuck, Uncle Mike, Uncle Steve, Uncle Chris, and Uncle Dan-Spring 2012

Life Since Graduation=Horses

Yikes!  It's been over a month since my last post.  I really didn't think I'd let that much time get away from me until I sat down this evening.  Whoops.

Well I survived the wild last two weeks of school, aced my finals, and finally turned my tassel! 

Then...I was thrown into life at home, which turns out to be more on the road in the living quarter horse trailer than under our stick built roof.  I have not been home for a full weekend yet.  I usually head out with some combination of horses, family members, and truck and trailer on Friday and get back Sunday.  Some weekends on the road at horse and rodeo events are longer and some are shorter.  This routine keeps me 100% tired all of the time.  While home, I'm busy riding my own horse and cleaning and doing yard work while my parents work.  The other bits of time at home are spent prepping for the coming weekend on the road.  I also try to find some time to research what I want to be when I grow up, but that often gets side lined.  Once the weather cooperates, hay making will be added into this regimen.  Then...time spent sleeping at night will be shortened, which will result in some crankiness between family members.  Don't get me wrong...this life we live is fun with great memories resulting, but other results are being tired and short tempered.

Here are some images I've captured from my weekends on the road and at rodeos. 

2013 Colorama Rodeo Queen Erin Wieldraayer making her run-in in Grand Coulee.

Steer wrestling.

My favorite shot from my weekend in Grand Coulee at Erin's rodeo.

 

This is the man from the above picture.  He successfully wrested his steer.

Bronc rider in Coulee City.

Boy, doesn't his face just say "I'm enjoying this ride"?

Tie-down roping.

 

The clown at Coulee City and his pony.  This act was cute.

My dad and I were in love with this buckskin.  Notice his tongue is sticking out.

Bull and bull fighter face off.