SC Fair 2009

It's fair time again!
Time for crowds of people of all "different" sorts, food that would give a cardiologist nightmares, and germs that are only found under the seats of all those kiddie rides....ewwww.
We went twice this time, and it was almost too much for me. I love the fair! I love the interesting people. I love the food. I don't love it when the kids get no nap, are overstimulated from sugar, rides and heat, and then I have to deal with them the rest of the day...
On that note.
It was a dinosaur theme this year, and although my kids aren't that into prehistoric creatures, they loved finding the dinosaurs throughout the fairgrounds and pointing them out to me. They had a blast on the kiddie rides, and checking out the flower show. They liked the food. But they LOVED all the animals!


Maeve almost squealed herself hoarse in the petting area, and I think she might have blinded a baby goat when she tried to "pet" his eyes.

Side note: I have officially decided that I want a goat. Not only will it eat all my grass so that my hubby won't have to mow, it will also be hours of entertainment for the kids. They can also be milked...which I don't want to drink, but hear is pretty good for you.
I have also decided that I want chickens. Not for the eggs, but just for the sole reason that they are really fun to watch. AND, Brynn wants a bunny.
All that being said, I don't think they allow those kinds of "pets" in the city, so we might have to move...hhmmm.

The second trip to the fair involved our church band.

They were playing on one of the stages, so we went to listen, and spend some more time checking out all the exhibits. We did more rides, more dinosaur hunting/reptile examining, and even squeezed into the photo booth as a family.


Can't wait to see you next year Sonoma County Fair!!!

Fashionista

I love my daughters sense of style. Its always fun for me to see what she is going to put together each morning. This one has to be one of my favorites! I almost made her change, since we were going out all day to do errands and such, but I didn't want to fight that battle for such a nominal reason...


Yes, those are velor pants under that dress. And yes, that is a crown and clip on earrings as well.

She did it!!!

Finally!!!! After 8 months of crawling Maeve has mastered walking! Geez, there is no rushing this little one. When she wants to do it she does, and when she doesn't want to - no amount of coaxing the world will make it happen! Pictures to come soon!

Day of Dress Up

Elissa and I took Brynn and Loriella to an adorable place in Sebastopol dedicated to dress up and tea parties. The little ones had a blast, and I think my sister in law did too....


Brynn tried on at least 20 different outfits. Here are a few!



My cutie pie niece rocked a few winners herself!!

Here is the group shot! I was trying to look tough. I am not very good at it!

Yes, that is a braided wig on me. AND a white fur coat. And if you look closely, I am wearing a knuckle ring with money signs on it. Awesome!!!

Vacations....plural.

We just got back from vacations...and yes, that is plural.
Rich took off the last week in July, since his "year" rolls over August 1st, and his paid vacation doesn't accrue...
We started out by camping with our home team for 3 nights in (don't judge me) a KOA in Willits. The place was totally geared towards families, and the kids had a great time at the petting zoo, miniature golf course, pool, splash park, climbing structure, playground, and fishing pond. There is really a lot to do....
Courtesy of Melody White...
Courtesy of Melody White...


The freezing cold splash park was awesome! The pool was nice, but when its 100 degrees, this place was the best to cool off!

The look on Maeve's face is priceless. The water was freezing, but so much fun!

Someone (to remain nameless) forgot to tell me this was a "crazy face" picture...

Maeve fell (of course) and cut up her face. We thought she had a bloody nose, but it was hard to see through all the dirt. Thankfully she missed the fire pit when she fell...

Don't you love the crack???

Fun around the fire with Mel's camera and special effects! She is amazing right?

From there we headed over the hill to Clearlake to spend some time with Rich's cousins family at their lake house. Their home is gorgeous, and we were pretty stinky from camping, so it was a nice respite for our dirty selves. We spent 2 nights there, enjoying the lake, the boat, some tubing, and (yippee!) satellite tv.

We realized that the ages of the kids were 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. It was a lot of kids running around, but they had a blast together!

Of course she is making a face...

Maeve with her cut up face. Its hard to learn to walk sometimes...

Cousin Tony, the firefighter, built a BLAZING HOT INFERNO on the deck to roast marshmallows over. Did I mention that the outside temp was about 100? It wasn't a pleasant experience...
The boys and kids on the boat. Doesn't Maeve look thrilled to be in a life jacket????

Brynn and Sydney doing the tube all by themselves. All you could hear was two happy little girls screaming and singing out on the water.

Cannon wouldn't go on the tube by himself, so I had to take one for the team and go for a tube ride. Shoot!

After that, we headed around the lake to a house that my uncle and aunt had rented for the week. The house was RIGHT on the lake, and we had our own private dock to tether the boat to. We had a great time hanging out with the family, riding in the boat, tubing, wake boarding, and getting some more sun. My kids are actually a little bit tanner. Notice I didn't say 'tan', just tanner. AKA - Not so white.

After a long day of boating, tubing and sun, Cannon crashed out on the stairs.

I think this was his dream come true!

Brave Brynn went all by herself, and then I joined her for a ride.

Cannon and I giving the "thumbs up" sign for some more speed on our tube ride. He was loving it!
Again, not so thrilled to be in the life jacket!

Swimming with my girl! She truly enjoyed herself this trip!

Fashionista!
Thanks Heidi for this one! I love it.

My stud-muffin hubby tore it up on the wake-board! He is getting better and better each time we go! He is awesome to watch as well, since he is an avid surfer. He is graceful on the wake, and has a different style than most!


So, we are back! Finally! My bed is soft, my sheets are clean, my house is cool. Ahhh, its good to be home!