Fun at the Fair!!!

Last Sunday, we headed over to one of our "yearly traditions," The North Georgia State Fair!! It was the last day for the fair to be in town, so we thought that it wouldn't be that crowded.....boy, were we WRONG!!! It was such a gorgeous day, and we got there before it opened, so the kids could run free in the big field for a few minutes....

Apparently, everyone and their brothers had the same idea we did!! This line (just to get IN) stretched all the way back to the road!! Thankfully, we were near the front of it!!

Once we got in, it was such a swell time!! We first noticed that the fair had added sky buckets this year!! They are movin' on up to high-class!!! :)

This was the first year we had to "divide and conquer" the rides. Nora thought many of the rides were too "baby-ish" as she says, and Ella thought some of the rides were too scary. Soooooo, while Josh and Ella headed off to the caterpillar......

Nora, Claira, and I hung out by the elephants!! :)

Still, they rode the majority of the rides together :)

Love their faces here.....PRICELESS!!

We totally thought they were gonna vom on the spinners (one kid in another cart actually DID....it was a scene straight out of The Sandlot). Enjoy a little picture and video of them spinning like maniacs (and thank goodness, the vom wasn't captured on video!) :)

I don't know what it is about the fair, but it brings out the sisterly-love. I love to see them holding hands and loving each other.....especially when they normally fight like cats in a pool.

Meanwhile, Clairy (my little HAM) just hung out and watched everything. Maybe she'll be able to participate in the bangin' rides next year...(ps-she loves the camera!)

Please excuse her greasy mess of a hairdo. Josh is the SPF patrol, and he COVERED the kids in sunscreen.....hair included. :)

You never know what surprises you might find at the fair!! This lady was groovy (and tall).

And she could JUGGLE!! 

We played a few games, and when we played the game where the little rodent runs into a color (my favorite game EVER!!), Ella WON!!!! She put her quarter on red, and the little rat ran straight to it!! Ella has slept with her new bunny ever since!!

We had to stop by my favorite "music box" (I use to LOVE this thing as a kid).

Once upon a time 20+ years ago, it would move and the little statues would dance. Now, since it's so ancient, it can only sing. But the girls were still pretty intrigued. :)

Next, we were off to the petting zoo. Always stinky, but always fun!! I really think Ella might be a vet or rescue animals when she grows up. She never met a creature that she didn't love.

Clairy enjoyed her up-close-and-personal encounters with the goats (not).

We ended the day by riding ponies, which was by far the girls' favorite experience of the day!!

Initially, Ella wanted me to walk next to her...

 But once she got adjusted, she kindly asked me to "go away." :)

Nora kept looking back to check on her. Such a good big sis. :)

All in all, it was a beautiful day with my beautiful family!!

Cheers to fair memories, new and old!!!

Nora's 7th Birthday!!

Wait!! What??? We have a SEVEN-year-old?!?! I truly can't believe that she can be that old (or that WE are old enough to have a seven-year-old)!! Nora decided that she wanted to have a bowling party this year (actually, she wanted to have movie-party since Wizard of Oz was re-released in IMAX, but that was the cool price of $300!!!) Sooooooo, we went for option 2: BOWLING!! It was such a swell time with her little friends, and it was hysterical watching these little munchkins attempt to knock the pins down!! :)

Here's the invite we sent out to all her little pals:

We arrived a few minutes early, and Nora was READY!! She couldn't wait to see her little pals!!

 When all the kiddies came, they were ready to PLAY!! Nora and Terrance kicked off the party with a mad game of air hockey!! :)

 .....and the bowling began!!! :)

 Tyson had the right idea...just THROW the ball and wish it well!! That's how I bowl also!! :)

 Checking out the scoreboard..... 

 Sweet cousins. :)

 Beautiful BFFs. :)

 The grandmothers were on "baby duty." :) What would we do without them??

 Yes, we had to get an employee to come and get a ball that had completely STOPPED in the lane. I guess that's what happens when kids "7 and under" are trying to roll a 20-lb ball. :)

 Ella had to "warm up" to the whole idea of bowling (as she does most things), but she eventually got her groove...

 .....and then she LOVED it!! HIGH FIVE!!

 Because of precious Tyson Bowen, this image will be a memory that I will NEVER forget. The Bowen boys are one-of-a-kind, and Tyson might just be the funniest kid on the planet. He made a statement here (that I'll keep to myself for now) that just about brought me to my knees with laughter. LOVE HIM!!

 Last bowl of the game!!

 Meanwhile, some of the adults had to get in on the action, too!! (TJ won.....he cheated.)

 (amazing!)

Finally, it was time for pizza and cake (cupcakes, actually)!!

 Happy Birthday, Beautiful Girl!!!!!

 Nora was so grateful for all of her gifts!! She got lots of money, many arts and crafts, and Barbies....all of the favorite things in the world!!

 We ended the party with a group-hug for Terrance...

So grateful for all of these precious kids that are a part of Nora's life. They are all blessings!!

Nora ~ Every year, you get more beautiful, more FUN, more amazing. I am so proud of you, every little part of you!! You will always, ALWAYS, be my baby. 

Happy 7th Birthday, Bean-Head!!

I could never express how much I love you!!