Whoot whoot!

I was able to hop on a plane last Friday afternoon and meet Ben and the NDSU judging team in Denver, Colorado for the National Western Stock Show. I get a little jealous when Ben gets to go to show, contests, etc. and see family and friends while I sit at home - so I could easily justify the $109 plane ticket. "It's for my mental health, Ben." Thank goodness he had already decided to let me go before I started begging.

Boy was I glad I went. I got to see friends from all walks of life. I got to meet up with some old graduate school friends, undergraduate friends and friends I've had my entire life. I also got to see my younger brother, Grady.

I'm sure he wasn't as excited to see me as I was to see him - but frankly I didn't care. I think at every opportunity I was hovering over him - just like a mother (not my mother) would do. I determined that after this weekend that I will not be a good mother. I spent more time worrying about how my brother was doing, where and if he was going to eat, if he got enough sleep and was he going to get into trouble.

This was the only real picture I got to snap of him the whole weekend. He did conceed to a picture with Ben and I before the livestock judging banquet on Saturday night. I tried to get another one, with him after he won a 5th place ribbon from the Carload Contest - but I was politely told to "BACK OFF" by BOTH MY HUSBAND and MY BROTHER.

I couldn't get them to understand, "The family would really appreciate a picture. Not everybody gets their names called at contests." I still lost. :(

I'll still chaulk to up to a successful weekend.