State Fair

We took the kids out to the state fair for a couple of hours last night. Chase decided to hop on a horse within five minutes of getting there. He's getting braver - when he wants to be!He only let Dave hold on for a second and then he said, "no dada, my do it myself" and if you are around Chase for any time at all you know this is his new line for everything!Nothing says state fair like eating a hamburger from a hamburger.

Chase checked out the map while we were eating to see where to head next.

We went to the baby animal tent and spent most of our time there.

This is the cow that nearly took off Dave's finger - so he would say! My fault of course, but the cow was eating the stroller and when I moved it the cow pulled his head back through the gate pinning Dave's finger in the process. He's ok.

Taylor would seriously get in with the animals if we let her.

She would also have high-tailed it crawling across cow doo on the floor to get from animal to animal if you didn't catch her quick enough!

Little pigs are cute. Big ones, not so much.

A classic fair souvenir for the walk back to the car.

Ditching the toy for chocolate ice cream - that's my boy.

Beach Trip

As if we hadn't been to the beach enough this summer, we packed up and headed to Nags Head for an extended weekend with Dave's family to wrap up the summer! You can never have too much sand and sun. We had great weather and a fun time!Happy to be at the beach! Happy too!

Taylor's 1st tooth finally popped through yesterday, so they gummy grin is about to be gone!

Walking with Grandma & Grandpa

Relaxing.

What my children do best!

Chase's first putt-putt adventure.

Thank goodness for the off-season and not so busy places - it was a slow adventure! You would not have wanted to be playing behind us! Swinging as if he forgot it was miniature golf!

Looking better!

Hole-in-one! This is where he started each hole.

Taylor getting in on the action!

Luckily she slept through the first 10 holes or else it would have been a really slow adventure!

For you, Jason.

Celebrating the golfing victory with ice cream.

What Taylor can accomplish while I try to take a picture wuth her in my lap!

She tried to get my milkshake straw and won!

New feat - climbing!

"Buried Alive" as Chase would say.

Last time we took pictures on these steps it was with 7 bridesmaids & groomsmen and now it's with 2 kids....time flies. Still though, better 7 bridesmaids and 2 kids than 2 bridesmaids and 7 kids!

Random Things...

MeMaw stopped by Monday morning with some gifts - a stroller for Taylor. She loved it and the boys were so jealous. She also knew that it was HERS and wouldn't let them get near it! I had to put a jug of juice in it to slow her down!
If she would let go of the stroller I know she could walk, but she won't try it.
Won't be long though!The boys got cowboy hats. Unfortunately, MeMaw forgot the horses. I tried to substitute golf clubs or baseball bats, but they couldn't figure that out. Punch balls worked for about 2 seconds until Chase's popped. Bryce's lasted about 10 seconds longer!

Taking a yogurt break.

Taylor wore her first hairbow last week. This is how she feels about them.

This is how Bryce feels about Taylor in general.

He is so sweet to her and I know she drives him crazy!

Sporting the matching shirts.

At the church carnival.

The boys were finally wearing out and Taylor, obviously, had some extra energy!

Bouncing. We took a trip to Inflatable Palace today to keep the bouncing going. It wears them out wonderfully.
Getting in the way of bouncing!

Going down the slide with Uncle Jason.
Wheeeee!

Superheroes!

Road Trip

I convinced Dave on the Monday before Labor Day weekend to take a road trip to Cincinnati for the holiday weekend. Well, let's just say it was the first and probably last road trip for quite a while! You're thinking that the kids didn't behave in the car, right?

Nope, they were little traveling angels. We only had to stop once on the 8 1/2 hour trip there and that was mostly because the van was out of gas. It was our driver who ran out of patience!! No picture of that one - wasn't worth the risk of asking him to smile :) Actually, he wasn't too bad but since he doesn't know how to get on here and defend himself, I might as well have a little fun with his road rage! He just prefers the 1 hour flight vs. 8+ hours in the car - I can't argue with that. Anyways, we had a very quick, but very fun-filled weekend.

First stop - breakfast with the cousins.

Next up, the aquarium. Waiting in line for tickets.

Riding a frog?

Not riding the frog!

Checking out the penguins, just like Curious George does in his book about the aquarium.

Fears no animal, or anything for that matter.

Amazingly shocked that Chase went so close to the super-tall balloon guy.

Next stop, visiting Charles and his family. Chase loved watching Charles climb the tree...

and it made me glad that I was only responsible for Charles' safety until he turned 3 1/2 and the most dangerous thing he could do was jump off the sofa! I couldn't even watch!

Trying out Charles' things.

Playing the drums. Charles plays the drums for his band "The Dragons" and they might make it big one day. He is good. Chase needs practice and well, no drums. Charles gave Chase a TON of hand-me-down clothes and toys and we just hope he doesn't need to pass down the drums for a long, long time!!

Playing Nerf guns in the basement. I think Dave was looking forward to this part of the trip. He had more fun than Chase shooting guns. Taylor, as usual, doesn't miss out on much!

Moving along to the next stop.

We had to make a detour for sweatshirts because it was pretty chilly. Now we would like for it to not be 95 degrees at home so we can wear them again!

Final stop - the zoo. Taylor became quite a fan of Dave's cousin Jeff.

Taylor enjoying her first cheese coney!

The whole gang.

Chase petting the animals. (Jason aren't you impressed? No meltdown!)

Riding the Merry-Go-Round.

Headed back to the car.

Back at home and ready to go again!