State Fair and Trip to Pueblo

   The last part of August, we made two different trips down to Pueblo.  The first time, we went to the river walk.  Ella was dying to ride the boat so we went and checked it out.  The rive walk is still somewhat small, but it is very pretty.  The kids really had fun floating down the river and taking in the sights.  The tour guide was very informative and I learned a lot about Pueblo.  I'm glad we finally checked it out.
     The next week, we went to Pueblo for the State Fair.  I have gone every year for as long as I can remember.  Ashlyn loves it too, but this year we just could not make it work with her school schedule.  We were out of town every weekend it was going on and she had school during the week.  Gracie stayed at home with Joey because it was supposed to be very hot and she was still getting over a cold.
    It ended up being Dawson, Jameson, Ella, my mom, sister, and myself at the fair.  We thought it opened at 10:00 and discovered everything didn't start until noon.  So, we had some time to kill.  Luckily, they had a fountain there for kids to play in.  We had no extra clothes for the kids, but it was so hot.  We totally let them go for it and just play.  They had an absolute blast!  They all had ear to ear grins the entire time.  What fun they had!
    After they played in the fountain, we went around and explored the exhibits.  As usual, the cake decorating was a hit.  They also had a monkey show this year that the kids thought was really funny.  We had to indulge in fair food and the kids had fried macaroni and cheese and we also got a brick of fries.  Yum!
    Before we left we asked the kids if they wanted to go check out the Lego building area.  They also insisted they wanted to go back to the fountain.  So that's we did and they had more fun.  We finished the day with ice cream cones for all and headed back home.  As usual, we had a fantastic time at the fair.

Fountain fun

Eventually the shirts came off

 

Eating his fried macaroni and cheese.  He was a big fan!

Ella was not so sure.

Baby chicks

The always popular corn pit

This cake was incredible and made by a 16 year old girl.  

The monkey show

Gracie and Dawson waiting for the boat at the rive walk

All aboard!

These kids are obsessed with maps and insist on each getting one anywhere we go.  

Random August Pictures

   I wanted to do a quick post with some random pictures I took on my phone the last month or so.

Gracie has really gotten into dolls and babies.  She is such a good little mommy.  

Hugging her baby

Miss Independent decided she is far too mature for high chairs, so she now insists on eating all of her meals in a chair.   

All dressed up before we went to a tea party.  

I love this dress and I wanted to make sure I captured her wearing it.  

My other princess ready for the tea party

Graice went with Joey to a wedding.  (Excuse her poor runny nose as she was coming down with a cold.)

Daddy kisses are the best

Gracie just loves to dance and even found a dance partner just her age.  

They really enjoyed giving each other high fives.  

North Pole

    A few days before school started, we had to make our yearly trip to the North Pole.  Ashlyn still enjoys it, so we wanted to go on a day she didn't have school.  The North Pole is perfect for kids our age.  The rides are very tame and great for the younger ones.  They love getting to try all the different rides.  This was the first year that Gracie really could ride anything.  She seemed to enjoy riding the rides she could go on.  Her favorite was definitely the big slide.  The slide has several flights of steep stairs you have to walk up.  She insisted on walking herself and I could not believe how many times that child walked up those stairs.  I was exhausted so she had to be tired!  Here are the pictures from our day:

Loading up

They even have a real ice pole

I believe this bear is new which is rare for anything to be new at the North Pole

These mirrors are always fun

This roller coaster is awful.  All it basically does it jerk you around in a circle.  It almost gives you whiplash.  Unfortunately, the girls love it so my sister and I have to ride it every time.  

Motorcycle girls

Best sisters in the world

Such an independent girl

This was us on the sky ride

   We couldn't end our trip without a visit to Santa.  We didn't realize that Santa took a 2 hour lunch break.  We had to wait for him to return before we could leave.  The girls were adamant on seeing him.  Ella was so funny.  She planned ahead and circled everything in the American Girl catalog that she wanted (basically everything) and brought the catalog along with her to show Santa.  Santa seemed pretty impressed that she thought to bring it.  It was so funny.

Ella showing Santa her Christmas list