Sunday, September 11, 2011

Piglets, and Funnelcake, and Prizes...Oh MY!!

Yes, it is time to do the Puyallup. Or, it would be that time if we were in Washington. But since we're not, we'll have to settle for the Utah State Fair. Most of you probably know my secret strategy of putting stuff in the fair so the kids will be enticed to come see the displays and not worry so much about the rides. Well this year was no different. In fact, I told the kids straight up that we wouldn't go on any rides. Amazingly, they were pretty cool about it, and even the little ones enjoyed looking at all the arts and crafts. There really is some fun stuff. I can't tell you how many times I heard a gasp, followed by, "Mom, look at the ______." (fill in the blank with something...anything...I think we saw it all.)

I entered another crosstitch which I finished this Spring. I kept forgetting to take a picture and put it on the blog, so now you get to see it; with a first place ribbon. This pattern is one I have loved since I was a kid. It is not as fancy as some as it has no beads, but I still love it.



The other thing I entered this year was a photo. I have never entered photography before. I was excited to go see all the pictures and it probably was my favorite exhibit. Now that I am more interested in photography, I am super impressed by the pictures people take. Oh, and I got an Honorable Mention.



I was super excited by this, because I heard there is a lot of photography entered and I wasn't expecting any kind of ribbon. Yep, so now I feel just a tiny bit famous. It is just the perfect amount of notoriety.

Afterwards, we had to go see the animals. I think Tyler might enjoy them more than the creative arts, so we compromise and drag the kids to both. Okay, the kids might like the animals more too...Good thing I am in charge around here.

As always the baby pigs are my favorites. And looking at the mom, I am glad I only have one baby at a time.



I was so proud of this photo because I couldn't get close enough so I stuck my camera over the edge and clicked the button.


That is always dangerous because who knows if it will even be in focus. But I got baby pigs and my kids' hands. I can tell that is Robyn's hand because she has no nails. (Evil habit).

One of the experiences of the fair is the people watching. I told Tyler, an hour into our adventure, that it wasn't right that I had already seen five butt-cracks.  People really need to buy clothes that fit. Tyler was amazed at one guy who wore a shirt labeled 'Idiot'. He told me to take a picture, but I wasn't brave enough. So he got one for me. Later, I told him that we needed to put the picture of the lady in the 'Idiot' shirt on the blog and he was startled because he was sure it was a man. See for yourself... what do you think?


We finally decided on woman. If you zoom in, her arms do not seem that hairy, she has a bracelet/watch, her fingernails are longer and she is wearing toe-nail polish. Granted, that evidence is not conclusive, but we will give her the benefit of the doubt. Although the shirt is still questionable.

I eventually slowed us all down for a group shot.



And then I asked June to take a picture for us. Not bad.



Then we decided to get a picture kissing, because we are all sappy like that. We sat, posed perfectly for what seemed like an eternity. And then naturally when we go to ask what she is doing, she takes the picture. And then we laughed about it.



We also took a picture at the classic cut-out.


Oh, and at the Lego Shark too. (The Lego shark is not a regular, but he was pretty cool.)


We ended the fair with a treat. We bought ourselves some funnel cakes and chowed down. Pearl really liked them, but I think she was just happy to be out of the stroller.


 Daisy has the perfect face here that says, "Yep, if I eat one more bite, I am going to be sick."


And then Robyn was sick later that evening, close to midnight. I guess that funnel cake didn't agree with her. I don't blame her. Fair food is not that great. We decided that next year we'll skip the food, and do a couple rides instead. I guess that still leaves a 50/50 chance of someone puking.

7 comments:

meganmushrat said...

Well, I am not surprised that the kids were 'cool' with not going on the rides. After all, I don't think the fair rides take a candle to the rides they went on at Disneyland! I am pleased (but not at all surprised) that your cross-stitch got a blue ribbon. I think it would have done pretty well at our fair too. I'm sorry you're going to miss the Puyallup fair, but I don't even know when we're going to go. And congratulations on the Honorable Mention ribbon for photography. You have done well, little grasshopper.

Tim Dargan said...

I always like the fair but I don't think there are pigs at the puyallup... or are there? Good job on getting 1st prize on that cross-stich! You really have a talent for it, and raising kids, and photography, and just about everything else..........LUCKY...

Deanne said...

I love it! The State Fair is something that has yet to become a tradition in this household. Maybe someday. Congrats on your ribbons! That is very impressive. And I love the laughing/kissing photos!

Emma Jo said...

Ha! My sister was just telling me about the fair (she went too!) and all the "cracks" and such. Congrats on your prizes and I really am sorry about the puke. It's a total shame to barf up funnel cake.

Shawn, Ashlee and Addison said...

That Crosstitch is AWESOME!! Great job Maleen!

¡Vieve! said...

That crosstitch is awesome, that is so nice, good work. I love love love funnel cake, I wish I could get it all the time. But I think if I could get it all the time, I might be sick of it, and I don't want to be sick of it. But that sounds like a fun day!

Raging Stallion said...

We've determined at work that the "Idiot" is in fact a woman - this because the calves are all wrong: they're so not manly.

The ribbon for cross stitching will cover parking. The way I see it, if I submit something in photo (and win), and you submit something in photo (and win), then each of the kids submit something in photo (and win), then we'll cover parking AND the entire cost of entry!

Does anyone else thing the shark teeth look like udders? Maybe it's because of the piglet shot earlier in the post: power of suggestion.