Iowa State Fair 2012

My favorite time of year has already come and gone.  The Iowa State Fair!  The fair gets more fun for the kids each year as they grow a year older.  Hannah was able to partake in all the events this year - compared to Last Year at the State Fair, or even more, The Year Before That.

We took the kids twice this year.  One time just our family, on a random, beautiful Tuesday night.  We rode the bus there, which I think sadly was the highlight for the kids. 

They each got their own big people seats.

This pic was on the way home - Hannah's Cheetos face.

The kids climbed on every.single.tractor.  This is on a life sized Gator.

Little Hands on the Farm!

This year the tractor rides had a wagon, hay bales, and gas tank to pull behind. 

Hannah could do the tractor ride this year - with daddy's help.

Milking the cow.

Sorting all of the foods at the end.  Hannah even took out the foods that didn't belong that other kids had misplaced and put them in the right bins!  She must take after her Papa.

They kids got all tatted up.  Showing off their Hawkeye tats. 

Then on Friday night we met my family at the fair after work. 

Round 2 of Little Hands on the Farm.  The kids each picked a rubber pig - which they ended up keeping at the end by mistake.  We thought they were to keep, and learned that the next day. 

Picking out his crops for his basket.

Friday night was a little busier than Tuesday night, so they had to wait for tractors to ride.

Tractor ride.

Henry did such a good job - those tractors were heavy!

Food time - Brio eating chicken on a stick.  

Showcasing my dad's awesome photography skills!  (Inside joke)

We love watching the big Clydesdale horses each year. 

And another favorite - the big Elk. 

The weather was absolutely perfect for the fair this year - such a nice surprise.  Now that the fair is over means fall is on the way - and with fall comes football!!  I know our house is excited about that - is yours??!!



Midway at the State Fair

Saturday morning we got to the fair bright and early.  The kids were excited to go again, this time with their cousins.  The tractors were the first stop - Henry climbed up each one again!!

Getting scooped up by the tractor.

Checking out one of the many tractors with Grandpa Dale.

Planting their seeds at 'Little Hands on the Farm'

The tractor ride

And now over to the Midway!  Henry was so disappointed that he didn't get to ride the rides the night before - so we made up for it on Saturday and took him on three different rides!  I had to ride the airplane with him - it was actually pretty fun!  He loved it. 

Then the boys picked the cars.  They swung the boys around the corner pretty fast.  Henry was just barely tall enough to ride by himself - but they let him on.  He got to ride in his own car next to his cousins!

Getting ready for the big turn.  Henry wasn't nervous at all - this kid is pretty brave!

Then they picked the roller coaster.  All three boys fit in one car.  They had a blast. 

Way up high!  The funniest thing about this ride was that Henry held his hands up above his head when they went down the hill - it was so funny!  I may have taught him that one when we were at Adventureland. 

Getting ready to leave.  Hannah took a good hour nap while the boys rode on the rides.  It was a great Saturday trip to the fair.  No major meltdowns.  Both kids lasted from 10am - 3:30pm!!  And yes, they both fell fast asleep on the ride home. 

Iowa State Fair 2011

I get so excited for the Iowa State Fair each year.  It is like a holiday in my eyes.  This year I got to go 4 different times (which may be a little extreme - probably won't need to go that many times again...).  Each time was a blast, and the weather this year was just perfect. 

We started out the fair this year by attending the kick off parade located downtown.  It was a little dissapointing as they did not throw any candy, and it lasted over three hours!!  I took Hannah home around 8pm and Andy finally was able to talk Henry into leaving at 9pm.  Even though there wasn't candy - Henry still loved to watch all the tractors drive by. 

Even Hannah got excited!  Mainly when the bands came by with the loud drums.

Henry watching one of the many tractors.

Henry and Hannah went to the fair Friday night with me and my parents, and then again on Saturday with Andy's parents, Jill and their two cousins.  They had so much fun!  Henry loved the tractors.  I think he climbed into every single one of them on both days. 

Papa had to help him up the really big ones.  These tractors had price tags on them north of $300,000!!

Hannah's new thing as of last Friday is sticking her tongue out.  She does it all the time!  It is pretty cute.

Pretty big wheel - huh!

Hannah was so brave.  She touched all of the animals with no fear.  After she would make contact with them she would pull her arm back and laugh so hard.  She loved it!

Poking the goat.

The big boar. 

The weird looking animal - not sure of the name. 

She loved the cow. 

How gross is this picture??!!  Look at that tongue!!

It isn't a state fair without some footlong corndogs. 

At the Animal Learning Center to see all the baby animals.  The baby chics were a big hit. 

Watching the eggs hatch.  Hannah's tongue out again. 

Time for 'Little Hands on the Farm'.  Both kids participated this year. 

Henry planting his seeds. 

Picking up the vegetables.

Grandma Deaner and Papa helping. 

Henry's favorite part - the tractor ride.   This year he can touch the pedals.  This time last year he couldn't pedal by himself - so crazy to see how much they've grown - check out last year's trip here.

Milking the cow. 

We had a little bit of a meltdown as it was time to leave.  Henry wanted to ride the rides at the Midway - but we didn't make a stop for that as it was 8pm and time to go home.  So I had to carry him out kicking and screaming.  Luckily on Saturday he got to ride three rides with his cousins.  I will post pictures from that trip tomorrow.