It's Fair Time!

Well, the fair has finally arrived! We headed there on Wednesday with the Flanagans. I figured since it was Norah's first time going on the fair rides and Bryn is a courageous little girl, she would be the perfect partner in crime to introduce Norah to the rides! They did great, although Norah was quite entertaining between all of her emotions from ride to ride. We had a great time though, and look forward to going again next year!

We stopped in the animal barns first and Hazel didn't seem to know what the heck was going on! ha!

I apologize for all of the next pictures being very similar, but I had to capture Norah's expressions of her first time on a fair ride.  Just funny how you can see her emotions change.
Here she is waiting for the first ride, the train, to get started.  Looking a little apprehensive.

Ummmm....I think I can squeeze out a smile!

First time around.....

.....and, we like it!

So we upped the ante a little bit and tried the whales.  These went a little faster and went up and down!  We liked this one too!  Love how you can tell Bryn is so excited too!

And here is where the fair rides went wrong.  We figured she was doing well, we showed her the little roller coaster and she wanted to go.....so on she went!  Looking excited right now!

This picture cracks me up.  Everyone was doing great, feeling good, ready to go, and then the man that was running the ride started talking and asking the kids to cheer.  The only problem was you couldn't understand a word he said.  I think you can tell by the expression on the girls' faces, they had no idea what he was talking about.  Crack me up!

So we are doing okay here....sort of.  She was holding on for dear life, because I told her to, but she couldn't decide if it was fun or scary.  She was doing fine until every time they passed by the guy running the thing would shout in their face and try to slap their hands.  She obviously got a little overwhelmed by all of the commotion and by the fourth or fifth time around, she was ready to get off. 

Bryn enjoying life, Norah ready to get off!  :)

Hazey just hanging out!

Norah ran into her buddy, Grant, from daycare.  Grant and Norah have been friends since they started daycare when they were babies.  I pretty much think she loves him!  She did have a sweatshirt on before this picture was taken, but she threw her sweatshirt off when she saw him and was like, "Let's go, it's time to ride!"  Hilarious!

I felt bad because unfortunately Bryn became the third wheel there for a moment.  Norah wasn't about to give up her seat next to Grant!  Thanks for being such a good sport Bryn!
Fun times at the Fair!

Cousin Love!

My cousins from Florida were in town this past couple of days, so we got together at my Aunt Dinah and Uncle Kenny's for a cookout. It was so much fun watching the four kids play together and finally get some cousin time!

Sophie!  Such a doll!

Aunt Carol and Hazel

We all headed across the street to see the horse and the baby fawn.

Jimmy pointing Thatcher in the right direction!

Tucker, the baby fawn!
I do have to mention also, you will notice the ballerina Barbie and the adorable ballerina sweater Norah has on.  Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Erin and Thatcher got her those for her birthday and she refused to take the sweater off.  I can't wait to get it on her with a little leotard and leg warmers!

Norah actually got to feed the fawn with a bottle, but of course my battery went dead as soon as we got over there.  The kids thought it was so funny when Tucker would peek his head through at them!

So glad I got this picture.  This doesn't happen very often!  With Hazel always being on the move, it is difficult to capture a picture of the two of them in the same spot at the same time!

We had debated whether or not it would even be worth it to attempt getting a picture of the four kids together.  I would say the attempt was pretty good.  You would think they are used to getting their pictures taken or something! :)

The 'older' cousins and spouses/boyfriend
Jimmy, Erin, Drew, me, Alison, Don, Ashley, Chris

After we got that great shot of the little ones, Thatcher started pulling up grass while the girls kept posing.  Of course, Jimmy pulled the same stunt!

Checking out the huge sunflower in the garden.

Always eating!

3 year pictures

Of course I had to do a little 3 year old photo shoot with Norah. Just Drew, Norah and I, spent the evening driving around and taking some pictures. Norah was so excited to go deer watching and she was more thrilled by seeing all of the tractors and combines out in the fields.

Of course I had to set up the self timer and take a pic before we headed home!  We missed Hazel so much on the ride, but it was past her bedtime, so she will have to come deer watching when she gets a little older!  I'm sure she can't wait!

Birthdays!

We have had a very busy couple of weeks! We have had lots of visitors around because of the Invitational at VHGC. Our niece Emma was here for a week before her parents arrived and so we got to spend some time with her and Norah got some quality play time with her. Then, we celebrated Drew's birthday with his family, Drew and his partner, Ryan, won the Invitational, we got together to celebrate my Grandpa's 80th birthday, and our sweet girl Norah celebrated her 3rd birthday. Needless to say, we have done a lot of celebrating (and eating! :)) and it has been a fun couple of weeks!

Norah and Emma had a great time playing with our real strollers and their baby dolls outside!

Taking a stroll down the street!

Then, they had to pull out the double stroller of course.  When we asked Norah what her babies names were she told us Stella, which we of course already knew, and she said her second baby was Carlos!  HHHmmmm......not sure where she picked that one up from, but we'll go with it!

All the girls minus Grace.  We missed you Grace!

Daddy's little helpers

This was the first time Norah tried the Big Wheel at Grammy and Papa's house.  It is the first time I actually saw her pedal a bike and make it work.  It was at the perfect angle for her.

She was just so thrilled to be able to ride along with the other girls, finally!

Drew with his sister, Jennifer, and brother, Mark.

Traditional tractor ride

Then, we got to celebrate Grandpa Baird's 80th birthday.  I unfortunately didn't get a picture of Grandpa (or him with the kids), but we will all be together again on Tuesday, so hopefully then!

Norah and Thatcher blowing bubbles in the garage.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR BEAUTIFUL NORAH.
SHE WAS SO EXCITED WHEN SHE WOKE UP TO ALL OF THE BALLOONS ON HER FLOOR.

Of course, Hazey had to get in on the action.

Just what she asked for....Doc McStuffins and Lambie!

After seeing Norah's excitement about the Big Wheel at Grammy and Papa's, we had to get her one for her birthday!  Drew and Norah trying to figure out the directions!

Off she goes.....

My friend Jennifer was down the street for a bridal shower, so Claire and her got to stop for a little play time afterwards.

Our little Hazey Bean.  We'll be celebrating her birthday next!

Norah got her very own camera from Aunt Dinah and Uncle Kenny.  Let's just say she has been a little obsessed with taking pictures of EVERYTHING ever since!