Family Reunion WYOMING ROUND-UP

Grandpa Hoopes puts the squeeze on the boys before they get to work.

This year I helped my mom (who was really stressed out and worried) plan and put together our Bowers family reunion up in Star Valley. Our theme "COWBOY ROUND-UP" was so fun. It was relaxing, we looked at old pictures, shared memories of past reunions, and talked about what it going on in our families. Saturday afternoon Tyson was baptized and after the luncheon with the Challis family, we went back to Star Valley Ranch to enjoy the rest of the afternoon. The kids were playing around in the yard as we got our milk can dinner prepared with the carrots, potatoes, corn, and cabbage cleaned, cut up, and put inside the old milk can.

While we waited for our dinner to cook, we began getting dressed up in cowboy and pioneer clothes for our old time photo booth. Each family grabbed whatever they wanted to wear (hats, dresses, vests, boots, and chaps)... and we even had a few guns to hold as well. My boys were especially eager to hold their photo props, especially the weapons. Whom ever was getting their photos taken were asked to keep serious faces because life was hard back in those days and we needed to keep with the times. All the pictures looked really cute on the phones, but I think the final product will be even better!

COWBOY SISTERS- Brenda and Kathi enjoy some time relaxing after the talent show.

After our dinner, each family was asked to prepare a skit, poem, or song for the cowboy talent show. Ryan read a cowboy poem, my kids sang along to "Home on the Range", Derek-Allie sang "I'm a little Cowboy" (to the tune of Little Teapot) Aunt Brenda, Thad, and Jade danced to "Cotton-Eye Joe". Grandpa Bowers, Jan, and Nathan did a poem and sing-a-long to a favorite campfire song "Late last night... cow kicked it over... FIRE FIRE FIRE!" But the most embarrassing/hilarious was the "Cowboy in Paradise" read and acted out by my Dad. We laughed and then started to rope and race the kids as they ran around on their stick horses.


Brielle tries to run away before she is roped by Cowboy Grandpa

Grandpa roped, branded, shot, and marked each of the "steers" as they ran around the yard. Connor loved it!

Another fun game planned was the pioneer game of STICK PULLING. Connor and Brielle had a good match, as well as Grandpa against Nathan. Old Cowboys are tougher than they look--

The Grandkids lined up with their "horses" ready for the barrel races to begin.

Another delicious tradition of homemade root beer was a big hit with Max and Connor. They kept going back for more samples of the yummy drink. This reunion was such a great time. We only get a short time to spend together- once a year for maybe an afternoon- and this was my first reunion in 4 years with this side of the family. It was fun to be together and make new memories.



My handsome cowboys



Pioneer Women and SAGE- I love this picture!



Ryan, Grandpa Bowers, Richard, and Derek get ready to ride.