fair fun

We had a new view of the county fair with a 4-H'er in our household.  

There was lots of work to do and responsibility for the week, but we managed to have lots of fun, too!  

Hilton Magic.

Clover Kids sharing with Claire, a County Council member.  

It was neat to sit back and listen to Lucas explain his exhibits and how he made them.  

There was continual checking in on Hilton Magic and introducing friends to her.  

Lucas with his Clover Kid club's exhibits.  

Cousin Will, Hannah and Ryan.  

Bedtime snack for Hilton Magic.  

Best gate-girl at the whole fairgrounds.  

We were at the fair bright and early each day to take care of Hilton Magic.  

I told you she was the best -- lots of practice. :-) 

Ava and her bucket calf.  

Lucas and Ava.

Cash and Hannah. 

Laney and Lucas.

Jonah and Lucas. 

Noah and Hannah. 

At the end of the fair there is still work to do! 

But with friends, the work is pretty fun!  

This guy.  

He just chilled out most of the week and watched all of the fair happenings around him.  

I can't wait to see him working on his gate skills next year!  

The county fair is a great summer memory!  

swine show day

SHOW DAY!  

Scrub a dub dub! 

With all of my years of fair experience {growing up and for work} there is one part that is hard to explain… the hurry up and wait factor.  You see, you work quickly to get everything ready {the animal cleaned, groomed, the 4-H'er cleaned and dressed} then you just wait until it's time for your turn in the show ring.  And that wait can be loooooooong. 

Clean pig, clean bedding… relaxing before the show.  

Apollo and Lucas. 

Ethan and Lucas.

Some of the cheering section.  

It's TIME!

Last minute advice.  

Proud mama watching. 

Getting a ribbon from the Fair Queen.  

Happy smiles. 

The best part of the whole experience:  he loved it.  

two FiRsTs in one day!

At Ryan's one year check up, he was perfectly perfect.  Except for a fever and virus bug he was fighting.  His perfection was no surprise to his parents.  :-) 

Later that same day I tortured him to get his long shaggy hair cut.  

Before: 

Look at these curls?   

He sat on my lap like a good little boy and let Kristi do her job.  

But because he wasn't feeling so well, this is what he thought about me putting him down to take a photo.  

Isn't he handsome?

H:: swimming lessons

Hannah was in Level I swimming lessons this summer.  

This adventurous girl got a little nervous on the diving board.  

But with the help of good instructors she got in.  :-) 

She loved the slides with life guards!