The County Fair {2012}

Last night, we went to the fair and had a great time!  The kiddos really look forward to the fair all year long.  In fact, they are already planning which rides they want to ride next year.  This year, Addi was just tall enough to ride the non kiddie rides.  Daddy and I weren't quite sure how she do on them.  We decided to give the Tilt a Whirl a try.  Evan and Payton want to ride the ride in the back ground next year - YIKES!!!!  Here are Daddy and Addi waiting in line for the Tilt a Whirl.  ( We never had to wait longer than for a ride to be over.  The County Fair never has forever long lines.)




Addi & Daddy

 They got on and were all smiles.  Once the ride started and the twirling began, I saw Addi's little arm gripping Daddy quite tightly.  She had the biggest smile on her face though.  All of them did!

Evan, Addi, Daddy, & Payton

While Karsyn and I waited, we saw this beautiful sunset.  It's so pretty!!!

Pretty Sunset

Next, it was Karsyn's turn to have a little fun.  We all watched as Daddy took her on the carousel.  She loved it!!

Daddy & Karsyn

After Karsyn's ride, Evan, Payton, and I rode the Sizzler.  Oh my!  We were twisting and turning all around!  I realized I had a little bit of an audience.  When I got off of the ride, I could barely stand up.  My audience thought that was quite funny.  Evan and Payton loved every second of the Sizzler.  Evan said it was his favorite.  We had one ticket left and an Addi who wanted to ride on the Fun Slide.  Daddy got us one more ticket so that I could ride with her.  (Daddy elected me to ride it with her.  I think he didn't want to climb the super tall and scary stairs.  Thanks Daddy!)  After that it was funnel cake time!!!

Payton, Mommy, & Karsyn

We had decided in advance that we were going to get 2 funnel cakes and picked two teams for each one.  I thought I had the best team, but soon realized that sharing a funnel cake with Karsyn was a bit messy.  She got powdered sugar all over both of us. =)  We walked around the fair for a little while longer and listened to some music and looked at some of the booths.  It was such a nice night and we had so much fun!  We all can't wait until next year's County Fair!

(Oh, and we dressed them all in purple shirts and jean shorts on purpose too.  Just in case somone got lost.)

Of County Fair Pasts

When Evan was 4 and Payton was 3, I met Aunt Ashley, Jessi, my friend, BriAnna, and her daughter, Zoe at the County Fair. We rode the spinning dragon ride a few times, ate a funnel cake and we were hooked! The County Fair is so laid back compared to the State Fair.  In fact, we've never been to the State Fair and well, it'll most likely be a few years before I'm ready for that...if I ever am. The County  Fair is much smaller and it seems like there are mostly families there having fun between showing their animals. We didn't make it the following year - Addi was just a few weeks and since she was a preemie, we wanted to protect her. We couldn't wait to go the next year. Here's some pics from 2010.

Jessi, Payton, & Evan

Evan & Daddy

Addi  Baby

Think we'll skip this rusty ride....

Last year, was our first year to go to the fair as a little family of 6. We went with Grandma and Papa F. Karsyn was a couple of months old and I had her tight in the Snugglie, so I didn't take any pictures. We had a fantastic time!!! It was great. We're going tonight and the kiddos can't wait to go! I'll have lots of pictures soon, I'm sure! Have a great weekend!!!

A Few Things About the Fab 4

This has been a busy week!  A good week, but a busy week.  So, here's what's been happening with the Fab 4 this week.


Karsyn, Evan, Addi, & Payton

• If you can believe it, Evan, Payton, & Addi have all been going to school for a whole month!!!!
• Evan brought home his first progress report of the year.  (Payton said she'd get hers on Friday.)  It's his first year to get letter grades and he has straight A's.  I'm proud of him, and at the same time, I'm a little worried that he puts to much pressure on himself.
• We heard from Payton's basketball coach.  She'll practice on Monday nights and she's going to be on the purple team.  We're very excited.  I've been doing my best to make plans for having 2 kids in 2 different sports.  I've figured out that I can't be at both of their games at the same time. =(  But, we're working out a great schedule.  I'm thinking about having a life-sized cardboard cut out of myself giving a thumbs up to be put on the bleachers.  That's not weird, is it?
• On Wednesday, I took Karsyn and Addi to the library for My First Story Time and Preschool Story Time.  We loved it!  We can't wait to go again.  We met my friend Megan and her daughter, Lorelei  there and it was so nice to see them. 
• I had a chance to talk to Addi's teacher today when I picked her up.  She told me that Addi is doing great!  I am so glad that she likes school.  Addi told me that she has a best friend named Skylar and that she is a boy.  So, I'll be very interested to meet Skylar. lol.

  

Addi wearing one of Payton's old dresses.  Oh the memories!

Hope you all have a great weekend!!!!

The Biggest Sister

I tell Payton very often that God gave her a special job.  He made her the biggest sister in our little family of 6.  She not only has to help watch over and protect her little sisters and big brother, but she also has to set a good example.  She does such a good job of it too.  Tonight, before bath time, we were playing a game of  Jack Be Nimble.  And yes, Addi had decided that jumping over a candle stick (which was a soccer cone) was much easier to do without pants and a shirt on. =)  She decided to move the candle stick and Evan accidentally stepped on her finger.  While I was trying to make sure that her little finger wasn't broken, Payton ran into the kitchen and made an ice pack.  I love how the girls are looking into each other's eyes here.  So much is being said, without any words.

Addisyn & Payton

Payton is always saying that she wants to be a nurse like Aunt Becky. It makes me smile, because Aunt Becky is the biggest sister in my family.  I see SO much of my sister in Payton.  And what's even better is, they are both pretty crazy about each other too.   Payton loves her baby sister Karsyn.  It's written all over her face....

Karsyn & Payton

After taking care of Addi and loving on Karsyn, Payton showed off yet another side of herself...the side that never backs down. Here she is doing a little Jedi fighting with Evan.

Payton & Evan

I am so proud of my Payton every day. She is beautiful, smart, funny, creative - God made her one special little girl. I am so blessed to be her mommy.

If You Like to Talk To Tomatoes

A few weeks ago, Grandma told me that she got tickets for us to all see Veggie Tales Live.  Daddy and I kept it a secret from the kiddos until the day of the show.  It was a perfect way to end the day after Evan's first soccer game and Kamo the Lizard's funeral.

`

Here are the Veggie Tales singing my favorite song - you know, the one about belly buttons. =)

I really think we had the best seats in the house.  Daddy, Karsyn, Addi, and I sat right in front of Papa F, Evan, Grandma, and Payton.

Papa F., Evan, Grandma, & Payton

Karsyn thought we had great seats and that the seats themselves were pretty neat. (Try saying that fast 5 times.)

Karsyn

Ahh...here's a picture of my baby and me.  It's a little blurry, but I like it. =)

Karsyn & Mama

The kiddos all loved the show, but when bubbles flew into the audience, they thought that was the greatest.  Here's Addi trying to catch a few.

Addi

Evan and Payton went after them too!!!!

Evan & Payton

It was a joint sister effort here.

Payton & Addi

Daddy was good at spotting the bubbles too!!

Daddy, Karsyn, & Addi

Veggie Tales Live is a great show!  We all had a ball.  I don't think anyone enjoyed it at much as Karsyn.  She had the time of her life.  She danced, she clapped, she laughed, she had a huge smile the whole time...she shared her popcorn with everyone in the family, and then tried to share some with the people in front of us.  It was such a great show and we are so thankful to Papa F and Grandma for taking us.  Thank you all sooooooo much!!!

So Long Kamo...

When you love someone and their heart is aching, some times, yours aches too, simply because you know they are in pain. When we found out that my niece, Jessi, had a broken heart, because her lizard passed away, our hearts hurt too.  We were invited after Evan's soccer game to say our good-byes.

Evan, Payton, and Jessi

Jessi got her pet lizard, Kamo, as a gift for her 7th birthday from her mommy and daddy.  She was so proud of her pet Gecko.

Kamo

Uncle Chad led us in prayer.  Jessi said a few words about Kamo.  Then, she offered an invitation to any one else who would like to say a few words.


Uncle Chad, Aunt Ashley, & Jessi

Just about everyone in the family that was there said a few words.  Here is Pops offering a few words of condolence.

Pops

I can't remember exactly what Evan said, but I do know that he made me proud by the way he stood up and the words he said.


Evan

Nana also said a few words about Kamo.

Nana & Karsyn



And then we all gave Jessi a hug.  

Jessi & Payton

So long Kamo....

And So It Begins....Fall Soccer That is!

What a day today has been - it's a 3 blog post for one day kind of day! So, let's get started. This morning, Evan played in his first soccer game of the 2012 Season. He did a brief stint of soccer when he was 4, but didn't fall in love with it then. Four years later, he decided to give it another try and he's really liking it a lot. Especially, because his cousin, Stephen, is on his team. Here are my boys -

Stephen & Evan

Stephen also played soccer when he was four, but it didn't capture his heart either.  I think after today, both of the boys plan to play many more seasons.  They both jumped right in and played great! 

Go Evan!!!

And boy did the fans come out to see our little guys!  Here's Nana and Karsyn.  Karsyn is saying "cheese" big time here. lol.

Karsyn & Nana

All together, the boys had 17 family members come out to see them play!  That absolutely blessed my heart!  If you came to the game and you are reading this - thank you from the bottom of my heart!  I love the lessons that playing team sports teaches, but more than anything it makes me feel so happy that when the boys turn into men, they'll be able to look back with great memories of spending their Saturday mornings at the soccer fields together and having their family cheering them on. =)

The Fan Club!

We tied the team we were playing 4 to 4!  Both teams looked great and if today's game is an indicator of what's to come, I think we'll have a great season.  These 2 boys sure made me proud!  I can't wait to watch next week's game!!!


Evan & Stephen

A Day At the Park

The fact that Addi's growing up hit me like a ton of bricks today.  Maybe it's because she tried to pick out her own school clothes this morning (and no, I didn't let her wear a fleece Elmo jacket with a nightgown) or maybe it's because once she got to school, she happily ran into the building.  Maybe it was both...in Addi's words - I can't know. =)    But, I do know that when it comes to being a stay at home mommy, for all of my kiddos, I want to do more to make it count.  I want to do more to treat this season like the treasure that it is, because, my goodness, it just goes by so fast!   I have a lot of ideas up my sleeve, so stay tuned for those.  As far as today goes, we thought it would be fun to take an afternoon trip to the park with Daddy. 

Addi

Addi has long loved the park. But this afternoon, Karsyn realized just how much fun the park can be.  She loved trying to walk up and down steps!

Karsyn

And check out this big kid???  Oh wait a second, that's Daddy!!!  He enjoyed time with the little ladies today.

Jason

Addi

Karsyn & Daddy

I love this picture of Karsyn.  She walked every twisty step up to the two story slide.  She and I went down together and she had pure joy on her face.  When we got to the bottom, the static did a number on her hair.  But really, could she be any cuter???


Karsyn

We played for nearly and hour.  And then it was time to go.  These little girls would have stayed there all day if they could have.

Addi & Karsyn

We ran by the grocery store.  (Sure didn't realize how dirty this cart was until I saw this picture.)  And then it was time to go get Evan and Payton.

Addi & Karsyn

After we got Evan and Payton, we played a game of basketball in the drive way.  It was a great way to end the day!

Levi Wiggles is 4!!!!!

Two of our favorite guys share a birthday - Great Grandpa B. and Levi Wiggles!  Yep, their birthday is on the same day.  It's  exactly 80 years apart. =)  Last Sunday, we celebrated Great Grandpa B.'s birthday and today, we celebrated Levi's.  It's hard to believe this little guy is already 4!!!!!

The Big Birthday Boy - Levi!

After church, we headed out to the Wiggles' house to celebrate.  Kim had rented this super fun bouncy train and the kids all loved it...Well, everyone, but Addi.  She was looking forward to playing in it all day, but once we got there, she decided it wasn't her thing.  Payton loved taking the birthday boy through the train.  She loves helping out.

Katelyn & Payton

It was a little warmer outside than we anticipated, so we played inside a little to get cooled off.  Here's all of the party boys.  They were hot, sweaty, and maybe, just a tad bit stinky.  But, you didn't here that from me. =)

Jedi, Jesse, Evan, Shelton, and Levi

The big girls decided to play babies.  They had a lot of fun.  Addi thinks playing with the big girls is the greatest thing ever.  She loves to go into 'Kate-wyn's' room. 

Tiger, Katelyn, Addi, & Payton

Kim really puts me to shame and always makes great home made birthday cakes for her kiddos.  (It's not that I haven't tried, I just don't have the talent or the patience.)  Levi loves Mario, so Kim made these adorable cup cakes.

Mario Cup Cakes made by Kim

It was time to sing 'Happy Birthday' and have the birthday boy blow out his candles.  I remember Evan's 4th birthday party like it was yesterday...I guess that's why it's hard for me to fathom that Levi is 4.  Why must kiddos grow up so fast?

Levi making a wish.

All of the kiddos enjoy cupcakes!  I think Addi was looking forward to them the most.  And again, she just licked the icing off.  That's her favorite!

Addi LOVES cupcakes!

Here are our Baby Best Friends!  These two are oh so cute together.  Like their coordinating outfits?  They played balloons together and danced together.  I hope they are lifelong BFF's. =)


Emily & Karsyn

We had such a great time this afternoon.  We are so blessed to have great friends like the Wiggles in our lives! We certainly enjoyed celebrating Levi's 4th birthday - Happy Birthday Little Guy!