Fair Night # 3

The first night we went to the fair the animals weren't there yet, and Ava loves to visit the animals, so I promised we would bring her back to see them. Well, little did I know that Adam and Dad would both end up getting sick that next week, so when we went to the fair the 2nd night (I'll blog about it when I get the pictures from Jenny) Adam was running a fever and too sick to go, so Ava spent the entire night riding rides with her friends Brody, Trevor, and Baylie. We didn't take the time to go visit the animals, plus I knew her Papa really wanted to take her.



Well her Daddy and Papa both stayed sick the entire week :( So Super Mom to the rescue! Thursday night we went BACK to the fair for the 3rd time, but this time I told her we weren't riding any fair rides, we were just going to go see the animals, pick up a funnel cake (of course) and come back home.



This year they offered Camel rides and Ava said she wanted to ride, which really shocked me- my daughter? want to ride on an animal? by herself? She is usually so timid when it comes to this stuff. Well we got in line and then she started getting nervous, so I told her if she would ride the camel, I would let her ride one other ride at the fair- her choice.



We paid our $5 and she hopped on, she did great- and said she had fun- the camel even cheesed for us when I took the picture! :)



After the camel ride- true to my word, we bought tickets for her to ride the caterpillar roller coaster. She seems so big riding by herself :( It's amazing how far she has come on riding these rides. Remember 2 years ago when she screamed her head off because I made her ride a slow-as-a-snail's-pace train? And now- 2 years later- she still likes riding it but it's a little too slow for her taste!



After riding the caterpillar, we stopped and watched a puppet show and then picked up a funnel cake to-go and headed home. Ava was sad to say good-bye to the fair, of course my pocketbook was grateful (and my waistline- thanks to all the funnel cakes!)

Chicken Taco Soup

1 onion, chopped

1 (16 oz) can chili beans

1 (15 oz) can black beans

1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

12 oz broth

2 (10 oz) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained

1 (1.25 oz) pkg taco seasoning

3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts

2 cups rice, uncooked

1 cup water

shredded Cheddar cheese (optional garnish after cooking)
sour cream (optional garnish after cooking)
crushed tortilla chips (optional garnish after cooking)

Combine all ingredients into a Ziploc bag except for rice and water. Freeze. Thaw and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add rice and water after thawed (or at least an hour before serving). Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired. Served approx. 5-6 people.

**When I initially made this dish it wasn’t quite hearty enough for us (mainly me since I don’t eat the chicken) so I added the rice and it ended up being great!

Pumpkin Patch

Jenny and I decided to take Trevor and Ava to the pumpkin patch/corn maze. The weather cooperated with us and it was a nice day! The two littles loved these 'put your face in a hole and smile for a picture' boards all over the place.



They would both run off looking for the next one they could stick their head thru- at least they were volunteering to smile for pictures, right?!



The gardener and the flower :)



After a few pictures we stopped by to check out some animals. Ava actually petted a bunny, but wouldn't touch the horse or any other animals. One of the turkey's started gobbling and neither she nor T wanted anything to do with them any more.



We headed for the corn maze and the way it works is you have a sheet that you answer questions on it tells you which direction to go, well we decided to just let the kids run wild- they took off and decided which direction we were headed.



We ended up in the middle of the maze and they were ready to go play somewhere else, so we tried to figure out our way back, yeah.... that didn't quite work out... so we ended up cutting thru a few paths to get out... haha!



Sweet Buddies :)



Jenny and I thought about just leaving them here :)





Next we headed to the tubs of corn- they had so much fun playing in this! What is it about kids and playing in things? They had the best time! Ava made a corn angel and Trevor sneaked some corn in his pockets- we found some in the playroom later that day, Ava brought it to me and said, 'Here this is Trevor's' and Jenny found some after he got up from a nap..haha! :)



After letting them play in the corn for a while, we headed over to the cow train.

 



They rode off on the train and we spent the rest of our time there letting them play in the playground area while we chatted. They had so much fun and we couldn't have asked for better weather! Fortunately we also missed the mass entrance of kids until after we were in and busy, so we were able to stay separated from them at each activity- it worked out so well!

Opening Night of the Fair

Ava has been so excited about the fair. In fact, when Adam told her that he drove past the fairgrounds and saw all the rides going us, she insisted we drive by it so she could see. This became a ritual we did each evening the 3 days prior to the fair opening. You can only imagine her excitement when it was finally time to go inside the fair!



We asked Ana Brook to go with us, which was perfect. The 2 girls had a blast and they were able to ride the rides together.



They had quite a few kiddie rides, which was great for Ava and Ana Brook. Plus since it was a Thursday night- there weren't any lines, so they were able to jump from one ride to the next.



Of course what fair adventure is complete without a funnel cake?! Ava and I look forward to these each year, as I am sure most people do.



Since it was a "preview" night for the fair, the animals and exhibits weren't open, which was fine since the girls had such a good time riding the rides and playing the the fun houses. They were like little energizer bunnies, I didn't know if they were ever going to give out of steam.





The caterpillar ride became Ava's favorite ride, she actually rode it the first time with Kirsten while Ana Brook and I rode behind them. After that she rode it a few times with Ana Brook. She's growing up so fast!







And the fair wouldn't be the fair if you didn't run into people you knew. We bumped into Caden and he rode a couple rides with the girls. He has gotten into this phase where he gets super shy around Ava and wont' stand by her to have their picture taken. I'm wondering if its the girl he is shying away from or the camera :) Needless to say, this was the only snapshot I could get that had at least both of them in it.



I was telling Ava about how when I was younger I had this pink cowgirl hat which I absolutely adored. We have searched high and low for it at our house and my parents house because I'm certain I wouldn't have gotten rid of it. I actually got it at the fair years and years and years ago, but I loved it. I would wear it and my sparkly pink boots (that sounds like it should be a song, doesn't it?) So when we couldn't locate my hat, we surprised Ava and picked one up for her. She insisted she wear it and her boots. Actually she has worn those 2 items more than anything else she owns, and she will sing 'These boots were made for walking..' as she walks around the house- its too funny!



After a few more rides it was around 9:30 and we decided to call it a night, of course I think the girls would have closed it down if we had let them. And being the cool parents we are, Adam bought them a bag of cotton candy to eat on the way home- ha! I'm sure everyone thought we were crazy- in fact, I thought we were crazy- but life's just too short and we were at the fair! :)

 

Homecoming 2012

The high school had their homecoming, so naturally we took advantage of watching the parade and getting lots of candy!



Is every child the same when it comes to the loud sirens of the fire trucks? I have to say they even hurt my ears a little! We stood near the beginning of the parade, which means all the floats have lots of candy to throw out, and throw out they did- there was tons of candy flying around! Ava was a pro at gathering it up by the time the parade was over!



They had several cute/creative floats in the parade.



Last year, I forgot a bag to put the candy in, so we had to improvise and carry it in Ava's skirt- this year I was sure not to make the same mistake.





She loved seeing the "Princess" walk across the field. In fact, she wanted to know why they weren't at the following game we went to! I love that she loves girly things!

Memaw's 98th Birthday

Our Memaw (Ava's great-great-grandmother) turned 98 on October 10th, 2012. We went to celebrate with a little cake and ice cream. All of the great-greats were able to make it- so it was sweet. There is now a 4th great-great but he didn't make his entrance until October 23rd.



Ava, Caden, and  Raeleigh



 



I can't tell you how many pictures we had to take to try and get a good one of all of them.



 



After cake and ice cream, Memaw said a prayer and sang a song for us. This did all of our hearts so good, considering she doesn't recognize anyone but her daughters anymore. In fact, she took me by the arm while we were there and said, "You're that Callahan girl aren't you?!" Well, umm...yes ma'am... although we never figured out just who she thought I was, but she knew I was from Callahan.

Happy 98th Birthday, Memaw! We were so grateful we were able to spend it with you!