theBkeeper: brandin' buckaroos

This past weekend was the annual Rock Springs Ranch Branding. My dad has been doing this for several years now at his ranch, and it has become an event that we all look forward to... especially our kids. In years past, the kids have been spectators along with the girls; while the men are all assigned certain "jobs." This year, however, Beckham wanted to participate. (I think Brenner would have too if he had been old enough to make the cut!) Needless to say, my boys were all ready to play cowboy.

Berkley had an invitation to help this year too, but she decided she would just watch with the rest of the girls. Of course, she still dressed the part of a stylish cowgirl!

Matt really does enjoy this chance he gets every year to play cowboy. (Even if he does feel like a poser!) He definitely looks the part!

Beckham got a chance to ride around with Daddy for a while and loved every minute of it.

Brenner even got to ride around a while with JT. He didn't seem to show a lot of emotion, but I think he enjoyed it.

It wasn't long before Beckham requested to ride solo. He was so proud of himself and felt like a true cowboy.

After warming up on the horses, it was time to get down to business. Matt has had the same job the past few years at the branding. He gets to "cut." (I won't go into detail on that one!!) JT asked Beckham if he wanted to help "spray" the cows this year with their special medicine, thinking Beckham would be more than thrilled to have a job. Nope... that didn't sound exciting enough. "I'm going to be a cutter with daddy!" he explained to us. So, it looks like daddy was going to have some extra help this year. JT got a "special" knife for Beckham to use, and he was so proud of it.

Daddy showed Beckham how to "sharpen" his new knife.

Beckham took this job very seriously and quickly got to work.

He enjoyed doing it and even tried to show Brenner what to do.

Brenner didn't seem too interested. He chose to be the glove man instead. Tasty!

Once Beckham had his knife sharp, he took his stance ready to begin.

He and daddy took one last look at his knife before they were ready to begin. Beckham wanted to make sure he had gloves too, because he didn't want to get any "bleed" on his hands like daddy does. (Smart thinking!)

Once the cutting began, Beckham watched Matt very closely.

He also observed the other cowboys, making sure he knew everything that was going on. He didn't want to miss a thing!

He was finally ready to get to cutting. He worked right along side Matt.

He "cut" over and over again, never growing tired of his assigned job.

In fact, he seemed to fit right in with all of the other cowboys out there helping.

Meanwhile, Berkley observed all of the action.

She seemed to find some of it quite entertaining!

After the first round of the branding was complete, it was time for a break under the shade trees. Berkley and Beckham found a great spot with Uncle Chris.

I would love to know what this little buckaroo was thinking right then while he was taking his rest. Too sweet!

Beckham later moved over to a rock by himself to watch his horse, Smokey. There is no telling the dreams of adventures with Smokey that run through his head!

Beckham grabbed a spot to watch the final work for the branding that day. The cutting was over, so he had finished his job.

Later he found an even better spot up on the truck with Marmie and Brenner. The action was entertaining them all.

After a full branding, as everyone was getting ready to head home, Beckham was still busy. I think this little cowboy was already getting ready for next year. After all, you always have to have a "sharp" knife.