It's July, so it's fair time!

July bring several things...the 4th of July celebration, hot summer days, time with friends, and county fairs!  We started the fair circuit with project judging for my niece, Katie.  Stacey had to work, so Grandma Debbie, the boys and I took her to have her projects judged.  She did a great job...all blues and even a blue star!

 I forgot to get pictures when she was with the other judges, but I did get a few with the farm scene judge.  She did a great job explaining her project to him!

The week after Katie's fair was our county fair.  I serve on the board of directors for the fair, so it's a busy couple of weeks for me and my family.  Thankfully, I have a fantastic husband who takes care of the boys when I have to be at the fair (which is a lot)!  Here are some pictures of the fun we had during the week...all that hard work pays off!

 Blake and Ben had a great time in the pedal pull!

 Sheep show day...these two are all ready to go!

 Miss Ava had to get in on the fun too!!!

 Ty, Ellie and Max were in the same class for one of the classes!

 These four decided to take tackle the watermelon race!

 Ben, going through the water obstacle

 Blake tackling the straw bales!

 They did a GREAT job!!!

 Kyran came to the fair, too!

 Doc McStuffins and Lambie, in the pet parade

Summer cleanup

A few weeks ago, our really good friend, Chad, came over and helped Andy move our infamous dirt piles.  These dirt piles are infamous because they've been in my yard for two years (or more)!  After asking to have them moved so many times, I've simply lost track of time.  Andy and I are in the process of creating a larger driveway and in doing that, we've filled in a deep ravine and taken out lots and lots of trees!  Chad and Andy leveled all of the dirt piles and took down the last of the trees.  After the trees were down, Andy and I (and Kyran) worked to get the trees cleaned up.  It was a FANTASTIC time with all of the gnats flying around this summer.  Kyran was big help, though!

 All of the dirt that you see in this picture used to be a deep ravine full of trees.

Before, you couldn't see any of the house to the left of the garage.  The ravine and trees blocked it all.

4th of July (just a little late)!

We had another great 4th of July, spent at our little town's annual festival!  We met up with our friends, ate lots of festival food, let the kiddos play in the bounce houses, and watched an awesome fireworks show!  We ended with an impromptu bonfire and a never-ending (or so it seems) sparkler show from the kids!

 Ben, trying his hand at baseball

 Ben and Ty battling it out...it was a close competition!

 The brain trust

 Kyran had his fair share of fun, too!

 Thank goodness for Ty...Kyran wouldn't have made it through this one if Ty wasn't there to help him up, lol!

 I "mustache" you a question...are you having a fun 4th of July???

 Ben found two of his preschool helpers.  He was so happy to see Miss Hailey and Miss Shelby!

 These two cuties joined up for the night, too

This photo just cracks me up!

Township Fair, 2015

This past weekend was the annual Township Fair.  It's one of the last township fairs (if not THE last one) in the state.  My niece and nephew and our friends' children all participate in it.  After days and days of rain, the clouds broke and the sun came out for a great day!

 Ellie, setting her lamb up

 Ben and Kyran, taking in the show!

 Ty, enjoying a day of showing.

Ellie and Max were in the same class, always so much fun competing against your sibling!

 Working hard

Blake and Ty showing pigs!

Farming with Grandpa Jim

Last weekend, the boys and I headed up to my parents for a 4 day weekend.  We hadn't seen them since before our Disney trip, and we were all missing them lots!  Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Jim had planned to haul corn in Friday, and have the boys ride with them.  But, some unexpected medical complications with my Uncle Dave made for a change of plans.  Mom headed north, to the hospital, and I took her place in the truck.  The boys had fun "haulin in" and Ben even got to get in the bin and help sweep up the corn.  It was a nice day helping out Dad.

 It's a little too loud!

 My cute co-pilot for this trip.

My co-pilot doesn't like to stay seated for too long!

Disney...take 2

Well, we've been back from Disney for a couple weeks, but I've just now had time to put the second half of our trip online.  We had so much fun during our entire stay in Disney, and hated to come back home.  But, all good things must come to an end...

Here's a look back on the second half of our trip!

Taking a break from the hot, Florida heat at the campground pool!

 Ben, trying his hand at removing the sword in the stone!

A few weeks before school was out, I realized that Ben's preschool teacher was going to be in Disney at the same time.  So she and I hatched a plan to surprise Ben.  It was so much fun...we went to Tomorrowland Speedway and had Ben look at the cars going by.  When he saw Mrs. C, he just absolutely lit up!  He was so excited to see her.  It was definitely one of the biggest highlights of the trip!

Spending some time with Papaw

 Somewhere, under Stitch is our own little Stitch!  We realized that Kyran certainly shares a lot of the same traits Stitch has!

 Enjoying a night at O'Hanas...getting our Luau on!

Kyran thought the best part of O'Hana's was the cupcake.  Yum!

 One night, Andy and I snuck out with just Ben.  We hit Hollywood Studios and one of our favorite rides...Toy Story Mania!

 Kyran got a kiss from Belle at "Enchanted Tales with Belle".  That was our first time seeing that, and it was a big hit with Kyran.

Ben's favorite ride this time was "Splash Mountain".  I think he rode it 4 or 5 times during the vacation. He rode it twice in this night, even talking me into going (I'm not a fan at all of drops)!

 On our way home, we decided to make a stop in Chattanooga, TN.  We went to the Tennessee Aquarium, and it was hit with all of us.  The boys absolutely loved it!

 Ben, Andy, Kyran and Papaw petting the sharks and stingrays

 I love this picture.  You can just "hear" the excitement in Kyran as he points to the different fish.

Sweet, sweet brothers!  Definitely love these two bunches!