Morningside Cattle Co. Annual Penn and Rope

Every year Randy and Tina host a Penn and Rope.  It is basically an event where friends and family come together to have fun and raise money for a good cause.  The past few years we have donated all of the proceeds to the Circle of Life Hospice House. 

Friends and family start arriving as early as the weekend before to start getting ready for the big weekend.  Beau and I went out to the ranch on Friday this year.  Randy has a big chilli supper for everyone who is camping that night.  We all wake up early on Saturday for the events.  I am in charge of coordinating the rodeo events.  A family friend, Karen Snow, and I get everyone signed up and then run the event.  This is a picture of us in the "crow's nest" with Tim, another great friend, who announces the events. 

Beau does a ton of jobs including: competing in the events, tending the cattle, being a host, and doing anything else that needs to be done.  This is a picture of Beau, Shannon, and Randy getting ready to change out the cattle. 

One of my favorite parts about the whole event is that it is free to enter, and that the teams are drawn out of a hat.  It makes it a lot more interesting!  People always ask me if I pick out a few of the teams and the answer is NO!  They are all randomly drawn out of a hat.....with that being said, Brynn and Shannon drew out on the same team.  This is the second year in a row that these crazy love birds have gotten to compete together. 

Beau drew out on a team with his good friend Chad.   

They ended up winning the whole Penn and Rope!  We were able to announce the winners right away this year, so they decided a victory lap was necessary. 

Beau and Chad were on a team with Tina's brother Jimmy.  Congratulations 2011 Penn and Rope Champions!

Another one of my favorite things about the Penn and Rope is that both sides of our families try to come out and enjoy the day.  Beau's Mom and my parents have all come out the past few years.  They all have a really great time! 

My Mom and Dad say every year that, "Next year we are staying the night and watching the entire show!"  Morningside has a band every year, and Mom and Dad just love live music!  Here is a picture of Mom and Dad talking to our horses. 

This year we also had a very special first time guest!  The Clarks came out with RC!  He had a great time checking out the horses and learning how to climb fences.  He even sat on Uncle Beau's horse.  It was too cute!  All in all, it turned out to be a really great weekend!  We look forward to it again next year!