Photographing my kids and whatever else strikes me

This is a space for me to display my budding photography skills and also brag a little (maybe a lot) about my kiddos!

Lampasas Spring Ho!

July 14, 2013 by Theresa Larson

This weekend was the Lampasas Spring Ho BBQ Cook-off. I learned two things this weekend. One of them...I should have already known:

1. The Old Army BBQ Team was started in 2001 (it's on our t-shirts... "/)

2. The first cook-off they ever competed in was the Lampasas Spring Ho.

Last year the Spring Ho was the inaugural run for the new BBQ trailer. They managed to take 1st place with their appetizer, and the winning streak began!

This year, all of their hard work has really started to pay off. 3rd place brisket, 2nd place ribs, final table in all other categories, and Reserve Grand Champion overall! Amazing! Heads are starting to swell. ;)

It really seems like the team is starting to function as a well-oiled machine.  Everything kicks off with Sarah Faye's decorations! — It really seems like the team is starting to function as a well-oiled machine. Everything kicks off with Sarah Faye's decorations!

Showmanship is an important category (as we all learned in Hico!)

There was a new addition of a giant Texas flag mat thing at this event, but it was way too big to get a decent photo of...

I showed up a little late and missed the turn-in for beans, but Carrie did a phenomenal job on them.  This is the turn-in box for the pull-pork sliders.  This event required us to submit "bites" rather than our typical sliders.  They … — I showed up a little late and missed the turn-in for beans, but Carrie did a phenomenal job on them. This is the turn-in box for the pull-pork sliders. This event required us to submit "bites" rather than our typical sliders. They still managed to make them look fancy!

The chicken looked amazing!

Ribs!  My favorite!  Yummo! — Ribs! My favorite! Yummo!

The process to get to that final turn-in box was pretty methodical and took nearly 20 minutes from this point.

It included precise slicing...

...and careful sorting to get the 7 best ribs.

And then there's the brisket...

I could be wrong, but it seems like brisket is typically the last turn-in, and there a ton of pressure to get it right.  I've never seen anyone other than Kipper slice it either...don't know if he's just the brave one that picked up the first k… — I could be wrong, but it seems like brisket is typically the last turn-in, and there a ton of pressure to get it right. I've never seen anyone other than Kipper slice it either...don't know if he's just the brave one that picked up the first knife, or how that worked out, but I wouldn't want the job. No less than 10 people and 1 novice photographer are standing there watching you cut every slice!

I believe they cooked 4 briskets to get to this turn-in box of 7 slices!  Oh!  I learned one other thing: 3. you have to turn in your items with the little piece of foil they give you when you check in...Guess it'd be pretty easy to mark y… — I believe they cooked 4 briskets to get to this turn-in box of 7 slices! Oh! I learned one other thing: 3. you have to turn in your items with the little piece of foil they give you when you check in...Guess it'd be pretty easy to mark your boxes if you put in fancy colored foil or something festive like that.

Well, that was pretty much it for the turn-in boxes, but as usual, there was a lot going on behind the scenes.

There were a couple of new faces!  The Fire Brigade (Kyle and Ken) taking a much deserved rest.  They obviously did a fantastic job! — There were a couple of new faces! The Fire Brigade (Kyle and Ken) taking a much deserved rest. They obviously did a fantastic job!

I'm pretty sure Rick and Kyle are getting ready to do some rib spritzing here.

I'm not sure how frequently the rib spritzing occurs, but you'll just hear people occasionally holler out... "spritz the ribs!"

I know I might have been driving people crazy, but I was so excited that the sky was sooo pretty, and I finally learned to meter off of it with the camera!  With the white tent up this time these were coming out so nice!  I just kept takin… — I know I might have been driving people crazy, but I was so excited that the sky was sooo pretty, and I finally learned to meter off of it with the camera! With the white tent up this time these were coming out so nice! I just kept taking pictures of everyone up against it!

I'll just go ahead and get all of the pretty sky pictures out of the way now...  :) — I'll just go ahead and get all of the pretty sky pictures out of the way now... :)

Just a handful more...

So, I'm not really sure why this is called the Spring -Ho....because it's the middle of summer and pretty much hot as balls! — So, I'm not really sure why this is called the Spring -Ho....because it's the middle of summer and pretty much hot as balls!

Only a guy could get away with this....I was so jealous!

He looks so refreshed!

Our group got asked to be on the radio!  So, Josh and Carrie were volunteered for it! — Our group got asked to be on the radio! So, Josh and Carrie were volunteered for it!

Haha!  One of them laughed so hard their beer felt it!  :) — Haha! One of them laughed so hard their beer felt it! :)

It kind of cracks me up when our colossal trailer ends up next to one of these.  :) — It kind of cracks me up when our colossal trailer ends up next to one of these. :)

The radio interview took place right next to the judging tent.

There were about 5 or 6 tables, but I'm pretty sure these guys were the final decision makers.  They looked pretty serious anyway. — There were about 5 or 6 tables, but I'm pretty sure these guys were the final decision makers. They looked pretty serious anyway.

James approves of the new drawer packs!

Check out this awesome detail!

Ken and Kyle took over the stereo for a while and I have to say, the LA music infusion was awesome!  Oh, and trailer improvements happening everywhere, notice the beer taps have been moved out of the walkway!  Fancy! — Ken and Kyle took over the stereo for a while and I have to say, the LA music infusion was awesome! Oh, and trailer improvements happening everywhere, notice the beer taps have been moved out of the walkway! Fancy!

James and Tiffany.

A quick lesson in the fat separator.

Break time!

I didn't know Kipper had so many cousins!  These guys braved the Spring-Ho heat with their kids...Impressive! — I didn't know Kipper had so many cousins! These guys braved the Spring-Ho heat with their kids...Impressive!

I think I'd only met Kyle once before.  He's so funny!  Just one of those people that makes you laugh even when they aren't trying. — I think I'd only met Kyle once before. He's so funny! Just one of those people that makes you laugh even when they aren't trying.

Just about the whole group...and one walking advertisement to always read online reviews before booking a vacation rental...  "/ — Just about the whole group...and one walking advertisement to always read online reviews before booking a vacation rental... "/

Yay!  Another friend who's not afraid of my camera!  Thanks Carrie!  :) — Yay! Another friend who's not afraid of my camera! Thanks Carrie! :)