Go Texan Day!

Dayton leaving Hermann Park
Trying to not let my germ-phobia hinder Dayton from having a good time

Dayton fed the ducks at the park...LOVE this picture of him

We always joked Dayton would be 'dating Peyton'...well, here he is with Peyton.

Dayton riding the old timer tractor at our favorite restaurant Natachee's

This guy came by and the audience screamed. We had no idea who he was but took

a picture in hopes someone could tell us. Apparently, he is Clay Walker...

country music star. Who knew?!

Dayton holding on to the 'reins'
Our neighborhood on Saturday

I remember my first experience with Go Texan Day when I first moved to Houston. Suddenly, individuals in cowboy hats, boots, etc surrounded me in the client meeting room. What the @#$% is going on here? Trailriders ride in (no....not in driven trailers...we are talking riders on horses) from all around Texas. Trying to get to work is chaotic because horses and riders take over the highways and local streets.

Go Texan Day kicks off the largest rodeo event in the world which lasts 3 weeks. It is a 100% volunteer event because all proceeds go to Texas student scholarships. It's actually quite amazing. While I struggle with my ethics while partaking (this is the girl that does not eat mammals writing this) - - - it's for a good cause. Plus, now that I am a Mom....my objective to make my son smile and learn outweighs the turmoil I have inside when I look at these animals and realize one day a stock-yard is in their future. I digress...

Needless to say, this is the first year that we got excited about Go Texan Day. Thank you, Dayton.

Saturday morning kicked off with our normal walk with Piper through the neighborhood. Two blocks from our house and we found about 50 horses and their riders who had camped out the night before. Dayton loved seeing the horses up close. This was good preparation as an hour later we were downtown and lining up to watch the Rodeo parade. Dayton was mesmerized and his only words were 'NAY' as each horse passed by.

The rest of the weekend was filled with other outdoor adventures as it was in the low 80s! Dayton rode the train at Hermann Park for the first time. Our son is truly a little boy now...getting taller and leaner each day.