Junior Nationals

Last week Daniel, Isaac, Walker and Nick headed to Kearney, Nebraska for the 2018 Miniature Hereford Junior Nationals.  You can read all about the trip out to Nebraska here. 

This was the first time we have ever been to junior nationals, so we didn't really know what to expect.  We knew the boys would have fun...it does involve showing cattle after all...but we had no idea how much fun everyone would have...

Except me.

It was a lot harder staying at home than I thought it was going to be.  Everyone had a great time...but sitting in my office getting texts all day long...was NOT fun!

I sent Daniel with orders to take lots of pictures, and he did a great job. 

I had a constant flow of texts and picture that kept me in the loop all day long.  

My camera, with over 500 pictures, is on it's way  home with them, so today I will share with you a glimpse of the week as I saw it in texts.

We were the only ones from Ohio...and the only state east of the Mississippi represented.

Everyone was stalled together with their state and there was a contest to see which state had the best decorations.

A couple of days before they left, we grabbed what we could at Walmart...which wasn't much.

But, at least everyone knew we were the Ohio people.

Because we travelled the longest difference, we got this jar and a gift card.  

I think we are going to have to fill this with lots of quarters for next year's trip to junior nationals in Oklahoma!

The trip was hard on the cows, and Apollo thought that eating was optional.  Finally, after several days, he decided to eat a little.

​I had to ask if he was eating or sleeping...he was eating.

Every morning they were up bright and early to get the cows washed and dried.

​They like the quiet calm of the mornings and many mornings were done washing before anyone else even arrived.

All the early mornings meant they needed a few naps.

​Isaac went from this...

To this...

To this.

The days were packed full of all kinds of activities.

They were put on teams for some of the competitions.  It was a great way for the boys to meet new people.  

Isaac is here helping one of his teammates prepare for the fitting contest.  

They asked each family to bring an item for the silent auction.

Daniel wanted to reassure me the picture made it in one piece (it's really hard to pack precious cargo in a cattle trailer).

Meanwhile... back at home...I was on calf watch.

After night after night of trapesing through the wet pastures in the middle of the night...

Saturday, I came home from the grocery store to find Rose with her new little heifer calf.  

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A post shared by 4 Wiley Farm (@4wileyfarm) on Jun 24, 2018 at 10:01am PDT

Annabelle was driving me nuts and I was so tired, I refused to get up in the middle of the night again.  

Yesterday, I came home from church to another heifer calf.

This is my kind of calving!

The boys were able to meet up with some old friends and make tons of new friends.  I know they can't wait until Louisville when they will be reunited.  

This has been such a great opportunity to meet people from all over the country.

They loved being out West and seeing how different life is from here in Ohio.  

They have stories to tell and memories that will last a lifetime.

They are getting some much needed rest on the long trek back home.  He doesn't stop much...but when he does...he crashes.

They should arrive home some time today...

And life will return to normal.

​Next week I will have my camera and all 540 pictures...so come back for details on all the shows and competitions.

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