John, Lindsey, and their kids stayed an extra day during the Labor Day weekend so they could celebrate Jesse and John's mom's birthday. This year was the 40th anniversary of her 19th birthday and she decided that we should go to the fair to celebrate. (Apparently that's what all the cool people do.)
We started by going to the ride area only to find out that the rides wouldn't start for a few more hours. So we walked on and found a free kid play zone. The kids would have stayed there all day if we let them I bet!
We started by going to the ride area only to find out that the rides wouldn't start for a few more hours. So we walked on and found a free kid play zone. The kids would have stayed there all day if we let them I bet!
Jesse and John playing basketball with their dad
Next we walked over to the petting zoo area. This is other area that I bet Rosalee would have stayed at all day if we let her. Last year the main area had all the goats running around and they kept nipping at the kids hoping to get some food. I guess this year they realized how annoying that was and all of the animals were in pens.
I love this little puppy because she looks like our old dog Roxie
The petting zoo at the Eastern Idaho State Fair is tricky. All of the animals that you see and pet are available for adoption. That way your kid can love on the dog and when they demand to take it home you can't say, "Oh but it belongs to the nice worker." One of the ways they earn money to pay for the food is to have a train ride for the kids.
Despite not being the biggest fan of rides Rosalee did get excited over riding the train at the petting zoo. Last year she was determined to ride in the pink piggy car and, with a great memory, she again picked the pig to ride in.
After riding the train we walked around and saw some of the livestock animals. The kids really loved seeing the horses. I thought they would be nervous around such large animals but it was quite the opposite.
While petting this horse a lady with a fancy video camera starting taking a video of Zeke.
After looking at the animals we decided to get the kids a snack. We all agreed that ice cream would make a great snack for the kids.
Yummy mint!
"Strawberry because it pink and it is tasty."
The kids with their ice cream
Happy kids = happy parents!
Zeke LOVED the turkey leg as big as his head! I swear he ate 1/3 of one by himself.
Apparently John is not a fan of boiled crawfish...
Nothing says HAPPY BIRTHDAY like a giant turkey leg for lunch
Zeke is becoming QUITE the ham! He was VERY VERY VERY happy to eat his tiger ear. (A tiger ear is what most people call an elephant ear only here they are sold by the Boy Scouts as a fundraiser. We thought if we bought several we could donate that money to the "Hire Jesse James fund". Hopefully soon we'll see if that panned out!)
After lunch we did what any smart parents do- we took the kids on rides!
Rosalee was excited about them until we bought the tickets and she saw the rides up close. Even if she could ride with Gavin, hold Daddy's hand, AND get a treat she wouldn't budge! We walked around and she picked the boat to ride on. She wasn't thrilled about it, but at least she wasn't screaming her head off.
Sadly Zeke was too tired to ride.
I guess there is something about the fair that wipes Zeke out! Remember last year? He's gotten so much bigger, but I guess somethings are still the same.
Rosalee was excited to ride the merry-go-round but only if all the cousins and her dad rode with her. Jesse let her pick out which horse she wanted and you can tell by the look on her face that she was truly happy.
Gavin and Rosalee laughing up a storm on the merry-go-round
After we ran out of tickets we found a place with some free toys for the kids to play with. We stayed here until it was time to go home. It was a great day because the kids loved it and we didn't have to spend a lot!
