Kitsap County Fair & Stampede

My Cowboys

Trev and his "say cheese" smile....in the backpack.  Next year, we get him a cowboy hat :)

The county fair is in town this week and last night was the military appreciation day, so free admission to both the fair and stampede.  We have gone every year and last night was probably the best time we've had as a family and I think Scotty & Zac being old enough to go on rides together makes all the difference.  Bought the boys the wristband for unlimited rides and away they went. 

Of course we never miss the stampede, so we wandered on over to take our seats up at the very top of the bleachers like always, but we only stayed about a half hour into it, long enough to see the "buckin' horses" for Zac.

Before the national anthem, she rides around the arena to the song "God Bless the USA", while other gals on their horses are holding flags for each branch of the armed forces.  By the end of the song the horse is going top speed.....it is really beautiful, gets me choked up every time, and one of my favorite things about the stampede.  Nothing can possibly be more American than that!

Love that my boys know to take their covers off for the national anthem!

Talking to the calves in the pen

As much as Zac liked the rides, he could not get enough of the horse barn.  I think he went back three times wanting to see and pet them.  Thankfully Jay was there to do that tour with him.  He LOVES horses and unfortunately mommy is allergic, so I have not really encouraged his love for them, but now I think I must give in and tolerate whatever my allergies may do.  Especially since, in the boys plans, we will live on a farm someday.  Thus, I am going to look into a local stable and see about volunteering with Zac....Oy....the things I will do for my kids.... 

And what would the fair be without FAIR FOOD?  OMGsh, this was honestly the best burger I've had in a long time!  I even saved the last few bites for Jay since it was his burger to begin with.  But it was hard to hand it over....

A Day at the Zoo

Decided to take the boys to the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma yesterday, just for something different to do, and it was a great day to be out.  They've got a big area called Kid Zone that has plenty of zoo-related toys to play on and look at, water sprouts where the kids can get wet and cool off, and a goat petting area.  It was hard to get Zac away from that part because he loves animals so much and any chance he can actually touch one, he is all over it.  Trev hung out in the stroller with me for the most part til I sprung him at the end of the visit at the water sprouts....he didn't care too much for the water but it gave him a chance to stretch his legs and cool off.  Then again at the carousel.  It was a fun day and good to get the boys out of the house (or at least out of the cul de sac...).

My Studs

Scotty is three weeks into Pee Wee Football and loving it....the parents are loving it too!  As some of you already know, since the moment they announced he was a boy, I have longed for these days to come....the days of youth sports and all the joy (and chaos) that it entails.  I literally saw myself on the sidelines cheering my boy on before he was even born!  So as you can imagine, this whole experience is a blast and the season hasn't even started yet!  Scotty appears to be enjoying it just as much. 

This week: learning Drop, Set, Hike and Blocking. 

EEEK!

Not once has he shown any grief when he's had to pick up toys or bring in bikes to get ready for practice every night...he really looks forward to going and is getting to know his teammates more and more.  His coaches seem pretty cool too and of course I signed up to assist as team mom.  It is just flag football for his age group, but I foresee it getting pretty brutal.  They still have to block each other, so we can look forward to lots of bumps, bruises, knock downs and all that other fun stuff....might as well be tackle because they will tackle by accident!  Good thing is, he's already had his front two teeth knocked out and they haven't grown in yet, so even if he loses his mouth guard, he'll be fine! ;)  They should get their jerseys soon with their names on them - CUTE!  Stay tuned...

As for Zac, he's itching to get out on the field with his brother.  Caught him "Drop, Set and Hike"ing in the bathtub last night....but he still has a good two years before he's age-elligible to play.  So for now, he resorts to playing football in the yard (or house...) with dad and also in the big mound of dirt next to Scotty's practice....its a mud bath every night.  Jay's been taking the boys camping and fishing and they've been keeping busy doing the "man" stuff. 

Zac's Blue Gill

They've mastered their BB Guns and have moved onto shooting the bow in the back yard.  Now Jay is in the market for Quads for an even bigger adventure....with kids, there is always something to do and somewhere to go.  When we're at home, the boys keep busy playing with the two boys that come visit their grandparents across the street every summer, Aaron & Tyler.  They will be sad to see them go next week....I guess its that time of year soon, summer is coming to an end and school will be starting.

Tidepool Crew:

Tyler, Zac, Aaron and Scotty

Trev is going on 14 months and only now is showing interest in walking.  He's taken a few steps unassisted here and there, but no get up and go.  If this had been the way Scotty was, I would've been freaking out thinking something is developmentally wrong with my child!  But by the third one, I'm more like "eh, he'll walk when he walks".  Trev is in no hurry.  He's got two big brothers that dote all over him, what is the rush?!  In fact, he's outgrown shoes that show wear and tear from when the other two wore them - with Trev, they never touched the ground!  Ah well.  I'm in no hurry to push him along, he is perfect and the less he travels, the less I have to chase!  And, in the words of Jay, whether they walk at nine months (Scotty) or when they are entering kindergarten (Trev), they all eventually graduate....