Indiana State Fair 2011

On Monday the three of us headed to the fair to enjoy one of the few remaining days of freedom before school. With the remnants of the stage collapse fresh in everyone's mind, and the literal wreckage still visible, the mood of fair-goers was indeed a bit subdued. For two little boys, however, they just enjoyed the moment-a lesson they continue to teach me every day!

What good is a fair without Bennie the Soybean?

Some draft horses getting tubbies.

The highlight for Alex was getting to shoot a rifle with this Conservation Officer.

The scariest part for me was Noah...he was freakishly good at aiming.

Notice the two little blonds in Noah's backseat.....I shall say no more.....

Riding the 'coaster with another young lady! He rode this thing about 7 times.

Yes, Noah again. Alex is not a huge fan of the bigger rides.

Geppert Bros. cruisin' the fairgrounds!

Wordless Wednesday: "That's a GREAT idea!"

Take Me Out to the Ballgame...Now TAKE ME HOME!

So, this was supposed to be the EPIC first MLB game for Alex. Just Opa, Mommy and Big Al....it was to be a memory-maker. Well, it was, but not in the way I had hoped. Perhaps the highlight of the day was walking through the sleeping Ford Field (home of the Detroit Lions) on the way to the baseball field. Alex was enthralled with the football arena.

Comerica Field!

Opa getting HIS highlight of the game....an $8.50 cup o'beer! Purchased with MY highlight of the game....finding $40.00 CASH!

Both boys awaiting the start of their first MLB game!

Starting pitcher warming up!

Mommy, it's hot...and so it started.....

While the skies were overcast over most of Michigan, the sun was shining brightly right on our seats. No breeze. 98% humidity. No shade. No fun.

After much complaining of impending heatstroke, we decided to cut our losses and head home after 4 innings. Not quite the result I had hoped for, but everyone (including Opa and I) were pretty miserable! Within 10 minutes of getting to the car, this is what happened.....

The day was saved by Oma and Opa, though. We got to meet Oma and Noah (who decidedly had a "more funner" day than us) for a little DQ treat. What better way to beat the heat than a cotton candy Blizzard!?

THANKS OMA AND OPA!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Alex's 5th Birthday Fiesta!

Detroit "Zoo"

What can I say about the Detroit Zoo? It's quite lovely...nicely landscaped under a canopy of trees. Very historic. It really only lacked one minor thing: animals. It was weird...lots of the enclosures were empty. We still managed to have a good time, though. Guess what we did first: Zoo Train to see some animals....or so we thought....

Two of my favorite boys!


A WOLVERINE!! Since we were in Michigan, this was a MUST SEE.


Australian outback....can you see the little Joey snuggled with his mama??

A polar bear....sort of.

And what zoo is complete without....dinosaurs...huh? Actually this exhibit was the boys' favorite (even though they charged extra admission for this). These dinos moved and roared!

Hangin' with the original "Mr. T"

Noah saw this guy and said, "he's a plant eater! I'm going to feed him." Guess he wasn't hungry.

Toad Stool

The zoo did have a FABULOUS playground

LAND HO!

Alex at the helm

MOMENTOUS OCCASION: Both boys learned how to slide down the fire pole!

All in all a fun day...if you weren't looking for animals!