State Fair 2012

We did our annual family state fair visit. We've taken Ross every year and more and more he's interested less in the animals and more in the rides. Avery went too but she just hung out in the stroller.

The first thing (and only thing Mommy rode) we rode was the "forest wheel". It was a lot of fun!

He loved seeing all the people from the top and checking out which rides he wanted ride.

The helicopter was next. He's been riding it since he was only 1 yrs old!

"Hi Mom!" I rode it the first year and learned quickly that it spins around way too much for me to tolerate.

Pretty sure he thinks he needs a Gator type vehicle.

The firemen had a booth. This made Ross very happy!

We checked out the fish and huge turtle!

(this is what a picture looks like when you forget to change the setting from inside to outside) Ross didn't want to get off this thing. The Army Reserve people were quite nice.

Riding the cars. He made a new friend and he was glad she rode with him. This ride zoomed around on the curves.

Look who we ran into - McKenna! They did some stuff together. One of which was riding the ponies. McKenna loves horses!

Ross had a great time on them too!

Comparison time:
This is Ross in 2010 waiting in line with me for the helicopter.

2011 riding the train. 

I love having our annual traditions. I hope our kids will cherish the memories as much as me and their Daddy do!

Motley's Pumpkin Patch

We met Ross' good friend McKenna for an afternoon at Motley's. It was our first pumpkin patch visit this year and Ross loved it! He's pretty sure all our outtings like this have to include McKenna.

Avery enjoyed herself too.

Ross took this picture of M and Ms. Danielle.

Cheering for the pig races!

McKenna took this one. Ross wouldn't cooperate.

McKenna picked the winning pig every time!

We ran into our friend Josh too! He was a wee bit on the tired side and not really interested in getting his picture taken.

Of course we had to measure!

A sweet person offered to take mine and Ross' picture together.

Picture of the good friends.

I wanted a picture of Avery with them too. She wasn't a fan of the hay nor the decorative grasses around her. These are the 4 pictures I was able to take. :) Not the easiest to get 3 kids to look at the same time.

They had a ride that was pulled by a tractor. The kids rode it 3 times. As bouncy as it was only a kid would enjoy it. I wish I had a video b/c it was funny to watch their heads bobble.

We rode the hayride - twice actually b/c a Kubota pulled one trailer and a John Deere pulled the other. We had to ride behind both tractors of course!

Again, wasn't the easiest to get them both to look at me. :)

Just a swingin', which Avery loves to do!

She worked forever to try to get her mouth on the rope. She should have a pretty good immune system built up by this point.

Fun horse swings!

Much fun was had at the pumpkin patch. I seriously think we have 3 more visits planned.

Just playing around

I borrowed a friend's camera lens to test it out and took some pictures of Ross. He was sure to give me some silly, well mostly silly, faces.

We had to chase and tackle. He was waiting on me to tackle.

Played a little Hide and Seek too! Notice his pockets sticking out of his hoodie. Lately he wants the pockets sticking out of his pants and his jackets. Makes no sense to me but I don't fight it. I think it's kind of funny.

Back to tackling.

Who knows???

Of course he had to take a picture of me too. Still working on that whole 'get the full face in the picture' thing. I like this lens very much. It makes getting just part of the face ok!  :)

 

Branson Vacation

We went to Branson for a weekend vacation with my whole family - minus my sister. Which, by the way, Ross was quite put out that Graham wasn't going.

The preparation for this trip was crazy! I might as well have been going away with the family for  a month b/c I would have had to pack the same amount of 'food'.

We made a pit stop in Harrison at Tractor Supply and Sonic. Ross was quite happy! He got a John Deere DVD and a Cherry Limeade. What more could a 3 yr old ask for?

It was so cold at Silver Dollar City but we had a great time with everyone there! (All the pictures on this blog are iPhone so probably not the best.)

Sweet Avery all bundled up for the train ride. She was actually warm minus her face but not much I could do for that.

Ross had no fear when it came to riding rides. He rode all that he possibly could. We were all shocked at how fearless he was b/c my boy is definitely not a risk taker. It was fun to see this side of him!

Another obligatory shot of her red button nose.

Not the best angle but you can see him in the middle.

Super bumpy ride!

Flying solo!

The following day we went to Bass Pro. The boy loves an ATV!

Cousin Buddy got in on the action too.

We had a great weekend with everyone! It was nice to be able to spend it together.