State Fair 2013

Another  year at the State Fair.  Once again, we managed to go twice (and free both times, thanks to the Indianapolis Public Library summer reading program!).  The boys just can't get enough of what the fair has to offer, and the weather was perfect for it!

On a (crowded) Saturday morning, Scott and I took the kids.  First stop, after checking out the fish at the DNR building, was "Little Hands on the Farm"-a yearly favorite. 

 

After walking through the pioneer village, we checked out all the tractors, and took a few more pictures. 

 (Success?)

 (Clearly Julia is the heart of the family...the boys fought over who would hold her!)

After a quick stop at the FFA building to feed the goats and play a little miniature golf, we ventured over to the animal barns.  The kids loved the cows and had to pet almost every one we passed.  A quick lunch at the Dairy Barn (fried mozzarella and a chocolate shake, yum) and time to head home for naps.

The following Thursday we returned, and we had awesome weather and no crowds!  We took our time playing 18 holes of mini golf, playing with the toy tractors, checking out the fish again, and walking through the horse barns.  We also watched a few minutes of a sheep competition and a pig competition...interesting.

Until next year!

Charlie's friend "JuBee"

If the construction site was the boys favorite memory from Colorado, then chasing and catching grasshoppers was a close second.  [Once again I am reminded of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books where Laura and her sister Mary chased grasshoppers across the plains...]  Out in the meadows of Colorado, the grasshoppers not only hop, but fly through the air for several seconds before landing.  For whatever reason, all of Charlie's grasshoppers had the same name, JuBee (the same name we call Julia...).  Sam's grasshoppers were mostly named "suce" (his word for his pacifier).  One afternoon, Charlie caught a grasshopper and we kept him for quite awhile, sitting on the porch.  Scott captured a few pictures!

There were several casualties throughout the week (little boys try to be gentle...but sometimes aren't successful) but I don't think we made a dent in the population.  Grasshoppers were everywhere!!!

Construction site

If I asked the boys their favorite part about our trip to Colorado, their answer might be the construction site next door!!!  The lot has been empty for years and new owners finally broke ground recently.  The boys loved checking out the trucks and piles of rocks/dirt when the workers were not there...and chatting with the foreman and workers when they arrived on the jobsite!  One day Scott even set up chairs right next to the site, with an umbrella (to provide shade) so the boys could watch the big machines at work.  One morning the boys were even out in their pajamas...

 

 Sam and I enjoyed watching the construction from the back porch (while eating our lunches).

Wordless Wednesday

Georgetown Railroad Loop

(Still a few more Colorado pictures...very behind on the blog!)

Two years ago, we rode the historic Georgetown Railway Loop, but Scott wasn't with us so we decided to go again (especially now since Sam is big enough to appreciate it!).  The boys were excited, as expected. We took fewer pictures this year, as we had 2 adults and 3 kids...not enough hands to go around!  It was REALLY crowded (all the seats full) so it took away from the experience somewhat...

After driving back home (the railroad is about a 50 minute drive), Charlie made the comment that all we did this morning was "ride on the railroad.  that's not a fun morning" and we decided we'll stick to free/almost free activities close to home for the rest of the trip!  Charlie was griping because it was naptime, so I know he didn't mean it, but honestly the kids just loved playing outside, going for hikes close to home, sitting by the fire, and just being "in the nature".

Photoshoot with Jubee

Every time we're in Colorado I try to work in a few "photoshoots".  This year, I didn't do it with either boy, but managed to snap a few of Julia.  Unfortunately, having to contend with her curiosity, and her obsession with trying to eat mulch, I didn't get anything amazing but I think I captured her personality pretty well!  Seriously...take a picture, pull mulch out of mouth, sing and make funny noises, snap another picture, pull mulch out of her mouth, etc.  

 

 Yep, looks pretty good.

 Yum.

Julia has gone through a lot of nicknames in her short 6 months of life...of which most recently is "Jubee".  The boys call her this almost exclusively, except when someone asks her name, to which they reply, "It's Julia Jane!".  For awhile after birth it was Baby Julia Jane, then Baby Ju, sometimes JJ...Charlie's most creative is "Jubee-ga-jumperoo" which always makes her smile.  I think Jubee came as a hybrid of "Baby Ju" and "Jujubee".  Yep, we're that awesome.