2009 Jr. Nationals - Tulsa, OK

This year's Hereford Jr. National was in Tulsa, OK. I think I had been planning to take this trip since last years Jr. National in Kansas City. I haven't been to a Jr. National since we went in Springfield, IL about 9 years ago - I think? So when I went last year, I really wanted to get back into showing and do it all over again. I was convinced that we would make the trip to Tulsa...and we did! Although, the week before was a little iffy...Bryce wasn't sleeping well...but it all worked out.

We left at 5am Tuesday, July 7th. We made our first stop in Springfield for breakfast. Bryce was ready to go out and stretch a little. That was probably our half way point, we were making good time that morning, we had a good traveler!

Finally...OKLAHOMA!!!!

Of course, the McDonald's over the road.
We got to Tulsa at 11:30...just in time to see David give him Extemporaneous Speech! Bryce and I stayed out of the room, I didn't want him to distract David. Earlier that morning David and 2 other Missouri Juniors competed in Team Marketing. They ended up getting 2nd...awesome!

The rest of Tuesday was spent settling into the hotel and making our way around Tulsa. Wednesday morning I got up early with the boys and went to the fairgrounds..I helped them get the heifers washed, dryed and feed for the morning. Then I went back to the hotel to get started for the day. But it rained and we didn't get to do much that day. I was hoping to go to the zoo with Bryce. He didn't seem to care......

Driving the stroller around the barns!Thursday was David's first show day of the week. He showed his bred-and-owned heifer.

She got 3rd place in her class...not too bad! The highest we have ever placed at this show is 3rd place..I got that when I showed my heifer Boomer in Springfield, Ill. So we were proud of David!

Thursday afternoon, Bryce and I went shopping with mom. We found a really nice mall that we spent a few hours shopping. Bryce got a Nemo stuffed animal from the Disney store. I was actually thinking of not buying it for him, but he sneezed on it, so I thought maybe it wouldn't be appropriate to put it back on the shelf! It has turned into one of his favorite toys!

I ended up getting sick Thursday evening and through the night with a sinus infection/allergies/cold...it just wasn't fun at all.. Bryce was already out of sorts on Thursday, I think he was just ready to go home and I was thinking of coming home a day early. After I got sick, mom decided she would just take us all home on Friday.

Bryce and David hanging out before he had to get ready to show.

We stayed to watch David show his little heifer again on Friday. Boy are we glad he did. He ended up getting 1st place in his class!!! That is so exciting for him/us.

Proud of his 1st place win!

I really wanted to holler for David after the judge picked him for 1st place...but Bryce was sleeping on my lap and I didn't really want to wake him up. I think Bryce slept through most of the show!

The price for class winners were a wooden TV tray with the logo burnt into the top. I'm sure it is proudly displayed by David at home!!

We were sad to have to leave early, but happy to be home. I know David understood, that day the temperature got up to 106...so we were really glad to be home! Next year it is back in KCMO, so we will for sure be attending the show again!