State Fair

Like last year, we took off work this year to go to the state fair. It is less crowded that way and Aidan is much more energetic and is able to enjoy it a lot more. We got there right after the gates opened so it was still very cold, but it did make it seem more like fall. We ordered our tickets in advance, so we would have plenty and Aidan could ride as much as he wanted.

In the PBS tent:
The cows are one of my favorites. We watched them hook three cows up for milking and Aidan thought that was pretty cool. They had a place set up where you could milk one, but Aidan was not interested at all!!!

Checking out all the prize veggies

The biggest pumpkin and watermelon. The watermelon set a new state record this year. It was huge!!!

Aidan's favorite pumpking was the one decorated like Nemo

Time for the rides!

Trying to stay warm on the classic cars.

This was his favorite ride and was a lot like the one he loved at the Harvest Festival, and wasn't actually a ride at all. It was just a big "playground". Had a ball pit, bridge, net ladder and a big slide. He went on it two or three times!

Priceless smile!

He is always really good at this game. He won a penguin!

On the ferris wheel. This one had gondolas rather than the bench seats so it seemed a lot more stable. It lasted a long time and we all really enjoyed it. It had warmed up by this point, so we weren't freezing way up there!

Look at all those people, and it wasn't even crowded compared to how it normally is!

56 degrees and a beautiful day to be at the fair!

This was on the macaroni and cheese ride. Also known as the ride that we thought would never end! The cups turn and spin at the same time so you could get dizzy pretty easily. Especially when the ride operator isn't paying attention, and you stay on there for 10 minutes! We didn't think we were ever going to get off, and Andy and I were both about sick by the time it stopped. Aidan, of course, thought it the best ride ever and wanted to do it again! Uugh!

When we came to the pony ride, I asked Aidan if he wanted to ride and just knew he would say "No thanks." but he gave an enthusiastic "Yes!". What? I was thrilled that he wanted to ride because it is something I love to do. He rode one of the smaller horses whose name was Alabama. Apparently, he came from mississippi but they named him Alabama. Aidan had a big smile the whole time. He talked to the horse, and walked around to his face to rub him before we left. He loved it!

Time for free hushpuppies!!!!

Checking out the map while we wait for Dada to get us some apple cider.

You can't really see it in this picture, but Aidan is holding his trumpet. He blew on the thing just about the whole time he was there. It was annoying for some around us, but he was there to have a good time and we let him! We actually bought it when we first got there, because we figured it was cheaper to pay $5 for it right out, instead of spending twice that much trying to win one. Definitely a money pit!

At the pond behind the mill. He thought it was cool to walk out to the lighthouse.

Ran into Dawn and Gloria while we were they, so they took our pic at Smokey the Bear. Completely dwarfed by the bear! :)

Cutie pie!

We had a really good day. Didn't stay too terribly long, but long enough to get good and tired. Came home for a nap, and then went out for "chips and sauce" as Aidan calls it (mexican)!