Catching Up!

Oh my goodness it has been awhile since I have posted anything so it is time to play catch up! Brace yourself for the longest post in rodeo queen history. Way back in July, my family and I decided to road trip it up to several bull ridings, starting our journey at a Jackson-Walkowe production in Rolla, MO. We arrived in Rolla, got settled into our hotel, and headed right to the bull riding. We had the chance to walk around their fair a little and check out what Missouri had to offer. Then it was bull riding time. I was honored to be introduced and do a little wave to the fabulous crowd both nights. Jennifer Cox, Miss NFPB 2008 was even there! It is always great to see a fellow queen! Great bulls (of course!), cowboys, clown (Dusty), announcer (Chris Pyle), and of course crowd. During the bull riding I had the chance to walk around and visit with crowd and sign autographs. It was great to see Jon, the "Say I won't" guy from finals! During my free time in the day we had a chance to do some shopping, suprise suprise huh? We had the chance to experience the excellence of Rolla tire repair men as well, because we got a flat tire! After 2 days in Rolla, it was time to move on to Montogmery City, MO. This was put on by the Six Crowns Rodeo Company. Both nights I was lucky enough to carry the NFPB and American Flag, on CP, the same horse I had in Wisconsin! During the show I walked around and signed autographs and chatted it up with the bull riding fans. Mom and dad had excellent seats next to Seth Reynold's wife, Lacey, and their son Court. After 2 nights there we were off! This time we headed to Wentzville. D Bar D put on this event, and it was great to see them again. When we arrived the first night, there was some clouds, which made us all a little nervous. Since I had some time before it started we all headed up to the big tent to watch the crowning of their new county fair queen! By the time that was done and it was bull riding time it was clear to see that the bull riding wasn't going to happen. It was pouring rain!! So we headed back to the hotel for a night of relaxation. The next morning came early, and was so worth it! I headed to the children's hospital in St. Louis. After my hospital stay last summer it was really easy for me to relate to these kids! This has been the best experience to date. I was escorted around to each floor and then to each room. Part of the program I came with is all about giving the kids the opprotunity to decide if they want things, including special visitors! Since these children are in the hospital, most of their daily life is very controlled so they are all about giving them the options, which is great! I met so many smiling faces, they brightened my day! I wish the best of luck to the kids and their families that they get on the road to recovery and get home soon! Before I knew it, it was time to head back to Wentzville for an afternoon performance due to the night before being cancelled. It was a little sticky and muddy, but the bulls and cowboys still did very well. I was introduced at the beginning and then held the American Flag for the National Anthem. We had a little time before the evening peformance so I took a quick nap then it was rodeo time! I rode a horse for the National Anthem then walked around doing a 50/50 raffle. A huge thanks to the Miss Congeniality and Miss Talent from their county fair pageant, they helped me sell tickets by working what their mammas gave them! No one could say no to them, so thank you so much ladies! It was another successful night of bull riding in my book. Thanks to Debbie and Linda Daniels for getting me a horse and making me feel at home with you all! Well after 2 nights there it was time to move on! I can't seem to stay in the same place very long and it was about time to change states again! We headed to Charleston, IL for another Jackson-Walkowe production. After fighting with a few sprinkles, breaking out the pink mud boots and umbrella, there was a great bull riding! I was introduced right before then walked around doing what I do best, talking! Again everything was fabulous from the announcing, clown (Dusty), bulls, cowboys, and fans! Despite the rain, it was a great evening for everyone that wasn't in a ducky rain poncho (Clint you know who I am talking about!)! Before it my 10 day tour had come to an end and I was back in Iowa. Several hotels, stops for gas, bull ridings, and 1808 miles, we were back in Irwin, Iowa! After a few days of 'break', and i say it in quotes because I worked at the vet clinic for my last week, I was off to another bull riding. This one was much closer to home, in Atlantic, IA. Double S Bulls and the Extreme Bull Riding Tour put this even on, with an enormous crowd of 5,000 plus people! Since it was so close to home it felt like a home town crowd! A big thanks to Heidi and Kiersten for bringing the kids out to see some bull riding! I hope you all had fun. My aunt Becky and uncle Mike also brought their kids to watch me do my thing. Thank you for coming, it meant so much to have my family there! Thanks to Todd for allowing me to help. I always have so much fun at your events! There will be more to coming soon about where else I have been!