Santa's Village 2013

We thought we wouldn't make it to Santa's Village this year, but things worked out to combine this trip with our trip to the fair.  The weather was a bit cooler, but there are certainly advantages to going to the park during non peak season.  The kids were a bit disappointed not to be able to play in the water park (although one of them did try... was it James or Ben?), but there were not any lines so they were able to go on their favorite rides many times.  Gabe's favorite ride was a toss up between the swings and the log flume that he had to ride on by himself because no one else was willing to get wet in the cold morning weather. Noah's anxiety got the best of him when Gabe wouldn't put his phone away while riding the log flume and started yelling at him, from the bridge, to put his phone away so I wouldn't fall into the water... there was no convincing him that daddy was just kidding... thanks Gabe;)

To continue the theme of traumatic happenings... James may never ride on bumper cars again.  He didn't get the whole idea of bumper cars... he was so mad every time someone would run into us or we would run into someone else.  We got stuck on the side once, I was laughing, Gabe was laughing, Noah was laughing and James was yelling at everyone to "get out of the way" "leave us alone" "stopping running into us" and "get me out of here!". I wish I had it on video because if he had known swear words I am sure that is all he would have been spewing during this ride... it didn't help that all I could do was laugh at how upset he was... I can see road rage in his future...

And that just leaves Ben's trauma... I think that this was best captured in the picture above... don't worry Trey, Ben took over the role of "horrified crier" in this picture;)  Trauma aside, everyone had a really great day and they are already taking about what they will go to first next year! Also, thanks to Nannie for coming along to help corral everyone and to allow Gabe and I both to enjoy rides with the kids:)

Fryeburg Fair 2013

No camping at the fair this year since Gabe has just started working, but we made the most of our one day!  I often think that the reason I love this fair is mainly nostalgia based, but Gabe really loves it too (even though he never was able to attend with my grandparents) so it must be great;) This was the first year that I didn't cry when walking through the gates, but making sure that the kids didn't run away and were accounted for may have been a good distraction;) Audrey had a fantastic first Fryeburg fair experience complete with her first taste of chocolate ice cream.  I think everyone else cried the first time they tasted ice cream because of the cold, but not Audrey, she kept going back for more.  She was also properly outfitted for the fair thanks to Uncle Jon and Nicki;)  We hit all of our favorite spots and ate way too much fair food... this is the main reason going for more than one day is necessary... to spread out the food.  They built a new playground for goats this year which the kids thought was so funny. Can't wait to go back next year!  

Welcome Fall!

What can I say, I love fall!  We can play outside in shorts some days, light coats the next... the colors are beautiful and there is so much to explore.  The top pictures are from the Bass Park playground here in town which has a fantastic play set (thank you Bass family;)).  The bottom pictures were from playing in our back yard.  The kids have found a really fun climbing tree (we are running a pool for when the first ED visit from this tree will be and who it will be for) AND they have been some what cooperative for pictures lately, including James smiling, so I am hopeful for a good Christmas card picture this year... I love these fall pictures because I think that it captures all of them so well.... this was really a rare moment when everyone was cooperating at the same time;)