Been there, done that, got the t-shirt!

We have been looking forward to this past weekend for a while now...yes because we were going to get to see Tootsie and Pop, and BB and Matt. But also, because we were going to take a short road trip to Opp, Alabama for the 50th annual Rattlesnake Rodeo. I went to this snake rodeo/craft exhibit/country music festival as a child a few times, but I think it had been around 23 years since I had been. And when BB and Matt expressed interest in attending, we knew we HAD to be there to witness Matt experience it firsthand. (He ain't exactly from roun' these parts you know?)

So...of course there are rattlesnakes. Lots of them. Thankfully these are in a pen.
Pen or not, Turner was completely fascinated with the snakes. Even when the rest of us were watching the buck dancing contest or the greased pole climbing contest (yes, I am serious - read on) all she wanted to do was go see the snakes. Here she is checking them out with Pop.
Ok...enough about the snakes. Now for the real entertainment. Below you'll see Turner and Mark very interested in the greased pole climbing contest.
I knew she started clapping wildly, so I turned around to see this... Notice there are no limbs from which to grip, etc. And this man pretty much got to the top in about 4 seconds. Redneck - yes. Impressive - yes.
Sadly, I didn't really see him until he got to the top...because I was focused on people watching. And now, I begin the segment of my post titled, "Sights of the Rattlesnake Rodeo".

I am sure this is a fine young teenage girl...but it was a powerful reminder to me that Soffe shorts, while popular, aren't the best choice of clothing for activities such as this.

Llots of "jorts" and Bama shirts.
Toilet seat anyone?
Mark's hawk eye spotted this fine wood carving of EARNHARDT.

Here's a good shot of Rebekah (BB) and Matt. We like Matt a lot. Tootsie took Turner to play while BB, Matt, and I watched the buck dancing contest.

For a moment I thought it was about to be the "butt crack" contest.
But this guy had some pretty good moves. And his little girl wasn't too bad herself!
While we watched the contest Turner had loads of fun with Tootsie! There were inflatables...
...and funnel cakes...
...and horse rides...
...and wild little girls who love to be outside, but can't stand to have their feet dirty...
...and roasted corn which he's rolling in a cooler (vat) of butter...

So we can ALL officially say, "Been there, done that, got the t-shirts!"

As if funnel cakes, corn dogs, and corn weren't enough...these were waiting for us at home. LOTS and lots of raw oysters and a sweet Daddy willing to shuck till our bellies were full.
There are a few of you who will need to go look up the phone number for the local DHR after you see these next few photos...but this is Turner's hand reaching for what she asked us to fix her. Raw oyster - ketchup - cracker.
And she actually ate and swallowed it! :) I was a little shocked - but Mark and I both like them so I am not sure why I was shocked.
And this is what was waiting for us inside the house. Y.U.M.

And finally, a few pictures from the obligatory photo shoot in my parent's backyard (which is a beautiful plant garden thanks to my parents' hard work).
And Mom decided that she'd hide a few eggs for Turner and we had an impromptu 1st Easter Egg Hunt of the year in the yard!

Thank you Tootsie, Pop, BB, and Matt for a wonderful weekend!