Branding Calves Last Weekend

Lydia watching the cows with Nana.

Last weekend Lydia experienced her first cattle branding at Grandpa Mecham's.  Every year we get together with family and friends to brand the calves. The cowboys head and heel and calves on the horses (or mules), and we always have a ground crew to brand, vaccinate, and well..."fix" the little bull calves, if you know what I mean. ;)  Lydia loved watching everything. I tried and tried to get that girl to take a nap, but there was too much going on and Lydia didn't want to miss anything. She stayed awake until we left!

Here is Lydia sitting on George the Mule with Papa Matt

She was more interested in the reins than anything else.

She looks pretty cute sitting on the mule with Papa, don't you think? This baby is destined to be a farm girl. :)  We're training her up already. It's never too soon to teach 'em to ride :)

Petting George with Mom

Here is our awesome ground crew. Rhett is holding down the calf. Brian's partner in crime, Nate Bird, is assisting. While Matt (Lydia's grandpa, Laci's Dad) is getting stuff ready. Great-Grandpa Milan and Brian seem to be doing a great job overseeing their work.

Brian was the official "brand master." He branded most of the calves.

I administered the shots while Rhett held down the calf.

Teagan and Lydia hanging out in the shade! These two have become buddies!

Teagan sitting like a real cowboy on George.

This kid was fearless! He kept trying to climb over the fence into the corral. He said, and  I quote, "I want to get in there and help" Or, "I want to rope the cow!" Or my favorite, "I want to ride a baby calf!" 

Nate and Rhett getting ready to brand.

Papa Matt just caught a calf on his faithful steed.

Rhett the calf wrester was always holding them down.

Nate looking stoic.

Lydia and her Papa

 Another year of branding is done. The calves are back in the pasture and the branding irons are put away till next year. Maybe next year Lydia will be old enough to say, "I want to rope a calf!" And this mama will be busy keeping her busy girl on the other side of the fence.