state fair 2013...

A big family tradition for us is going to the MN State Fair!  While I almost don't want to admit that we went yesterday on opening day because it means summer is almost through, how can I not share the fair fun?!  We were there from 10:30am until 7:30pm - a long day, but the kids did great and we all had so much fun.

In the Horticulture building, the kids were so excited (us too!) to run into our friend, Mrs. G, from church!  She was helping at the the arboretum exhibit - the kids got free passes by spinning the prize wheel so we will look forward to visiting there soon!

The animal barns are a big favorite, and the horse barn had a new hands on area where the kids were able to practice riding a horse among other activities.

Another church friend!!!  Sara was showing her bunny, Harry!  She won 5th in herdsmanship for how her rabbit is taken care of, and is looking forward to the main judging on Saturday.  (running into 2 people we know is a first for us at the fair!)

S took the big three on the sky ride while I pushed a napping H in the stroller.  We always tell the kids when they beg for fair rides that we have to do all the free fun stuff first, but this is our one exception. =)

Frozen Banana on a stick for a snack?  Why yes, thank you!  We love all the fair food and besides this treat we had wild rice burgers and corn dogs, waffle fries, cheese curds, applesauce from the horticulture building, a strawberry smoothie, chocolate milk... (yes, fair food is expensive for 1, let alone 6, but we shared most everything so everyone could taste and enjoy)

Of course we went through Little Farm Hands too.  G was pretty sad that she is taller than 4 chickens now.  No more pedal tractor rides for her!

This was H's first year that he could really do everything at Little Farm Hands by himself and he had the best time.  What 21 month old boy wouldn't love carrying around a bucket and putting stuff in it while walking around a mini farm?

S always takes a photo with me in it to make sure you know that I went to the fair...

 ...along with him and the kids...and about 106,000 other people!  It was beautiful weather for the day!

 We decided to stay a little longer, so that meant eating more!  A big bucket of French Fries and strawberry sundaes from the Dairy Goodness Bar was the perfect supper.

Oh and it was Dairy Goodness!

After supper we went to the Coliseum and watched the Horse Jumping competition.  We caught just a bit of it a couple years ago and the kids really liked it so we thought we would try it again, and the kids loved it.  H made us all giggle by saying "BEEP" in perfect pitch with the judges timer after it went off for each horse, and also by saying "Horse!"  "Jup!" and "nayyyyy" the whole hour.

So long fair, see ya next year!