Sunday, September 10, 2017

It's Only Fair to Play at the Fair

How magical is the Easter Idaho State Fair?
My absolute favorite thing about being home is taking the kids to do things that I experienced as a kid.
The EISF is a perfect example of the excitement that I get when I am making new memories with my family.
 
 This year was extra special because we got to take Andrew's father, Ric, with us.
 
 
 
 Penelope loved this statue and wanted to take a picture with it.  I am still not clear as to why this statue was even there.
 
 
 We visited the petting zoo where they had a new addition to the exhibit. I swallowed my personal feelings about petting zoo's and animals that are forced to walk in a circle all day everyday. There are only so many soapboxes that I can have. Anyways, the girls had a blast and Ric enjoyed watching them have this experience.
Jaxson enjoyed feeding the animals, especially the donkey.
 
 
 I thought Penny's horse was the cutest.
 
 
 
 I seriously cannot say no to these dang things!
 
 
 
 The kids got to go in a money machine and grab all the money that they could for 20 seconds. The tallies are as follows:
Jaxson-$15
Emilee- $20
Penny and Emilee- $18
This was really fun to watch.
 
 

 
 My Mom, Shane and Brad joined us as well. We immediately found seats at the horse races. Of course, we were there on Labor Day so it was a packed house. Our butts were definitely touching.

 
I was so excited to introduce Andrew and my father in law to my favorite part of the fair...Indian Relay Races. I have included the link above for reference. I was too excited and in the moment to think about taking pictures.
Andrew says that he loved cheering on the underdog that couldn't get back up on his horse. I loved hearing him and the crowd cheer loudly.
The man next to me was plugging his ears...I refused to believe that he did not appreciate my enthusiasm.
 

 
We partook of the usual face painting ritual!
The girls wore theirs for then next few days even though it was smeared and barley visible.
If  I wasn't forced to be an adult...I would have worn mine for that long as well.
 
 
 Andrew rocked the pull up challenge that was happening at the Marine tent. The picture that I took is not cooperating so you will have to take my word for it. Andrew did 8 strict pull-ups though I remember it that he did 14. Either way, it was more than I did or could do!


First Day of School 2017

 
 
As 2017 continues, we find ourselves at the beginning of another school year.
Little Penny Lou is in Preschool at Imagination Station Daycare Center. She shed many a crocodile tear when she realized that her brother and sister got to go to real school, but she couldn't. I just died when I saw this cute photo!

 
Jaxson is in 6th grade at Hawthorne Middle School. This kid is turning into a giant with his size 12 feet and stature that almost is the same as mine. He was feeling like he didn't need to have his picture taken but decided to give in anyways. They grow up faster that I would like! [Ok truthfully, some days it feels like they will be young forever...]

 
 He was NOT about to let me get a picture of him in front of his school. I opted for the next best option...car selfies! Note: I was not allowed to walk him in to his school.

 
2017 Edition of Jaxson's Favorite Things 

Nickname: Jackie. Buddy. Jaxsie Pants. Fart Nugget. But at school they call me Banana Smoothie.
Color: Rose Red [unchanged]
Book: The Lost Hero
Food: Sushi
Worst food ever: Mushrooms
School subject: Lunch and Social Studies
TV show: The Series of Unfortunate Events
Movie: Halo; The Falls of Reach
Game:  Halo
Scripture Story: The Tree of Life [unchanged]
Favorite Possession: Nintendo DS
Animal:  Bearded Dragon
Word: The [unchanged]
Song: That What I Like by Bruno Mars
Best Friend: Verson, Shawn, Brandon, Haden, Mechanical Pencil Guy
Favorite thing about yourself: I am artistic. How kind I try to be.
Something funny: "Your mama is so small that she uses Doritos for a hang glider."
When I grow up: I am going to be working at The Potato Pot [this is a plan and restaurant invented by Jaxson and his cousins [Sophie, Kennon, Leif, Kian].
The coolest thing you have seen:  My parents.
If you had one wish what would it be: To have the power to give powers to me and other people [unchanged] 
Anything else you want to tell me about yourself? My name is Banana Smoothie. I like to be funny and kind and to be a big brother. Dad is always messing with me. To my future self, this is a time in your life before they invented flying cars.
Goal for school this year: My goal is to be at the top of the popularity food chain at school.
Goals for the future: To become a successful business man and swim in a tub of gold.

 
Emilee is in first grade with Mrs. Andersen at Chubbuck Elementary. As opposed to her brother, she was more than willing to take a photo. She is obsessed with reading and loves everything about school.

 
2017 Edition: Emilee's Favorite Things
 
Nickname: Emmers. Emmerlooski. Fart Nugget.
Color: Purple, pink, orange, red.
Book: Fairy Tales for Bedtime
Food: Spaghetti
Worst food ever: Pineapple Pizza
School subject: Coloring
TV show: Series of Unfortunate Events
Movie: Coraline
Game:  Minecraft
Scripture Story: Samuel the Lamanite
Favorite Possession: Every toy that I have
Animal:  Dog
Word: I Love You
Song: Hallelujah
Best Friend: Taycee and Myla
Favorite thing about yourself: I am a good singer. I love dancing. I love reading. And I like to snap my fingers.
Something funny: Abooooo boooo booo. Why did the chicken cross the road? Because it loves getting killed. Why did the dog cross the road? Because it loves dying.
When I grow up: Nurse and Substitute Teacher.
The coolest thing you have seen: A rollercoaster that went upside down,
If you had one wish what would it be: To get a phone. To make Christmas everyday.
Anything else you want to tell me about yourself? My favorite ride was the blue rollercoaster at Lagoon. I love hanging upside down at recess.
Goal for school this year: What does this even mean?
Goals for the future: To be the best girl in the whole entire world!
 
 I can't wait to include Penny Lou next year!
 

We decided to kick off the new school year with one last trip to Ross Park. We loved having Nana there with us to party. This was definitely one of our favorite summertime activities.




 

Friday, September 1, 2017

Penny Lou Lou Photo Dump

 

 I know a little girl who really likes to take pictures with my phone.
 I couldn't bring myself to delete these tender moments without first attempting to capture the essence of this sweet one.
I sure love my Penelope Louise!
 
 



























 






















 
And now I do not have to feel guilty for deleting the 1000 pictures that she takes per day.