The Mississippi State Fair...

We were not planning to go to the fair this year, but our plans changed when my brother called Wednesday and said Ashton would be showing his goat Friday and Saturday.  Matt and I were already off work Friday so after Cooper's field trip we checked Anna Lauren out of school and headed to the fair just in time to see Ashton show his goat.

Ashton and Comet...

It took him a few minutes but Cooper warmed up to Comet and actually got within "touching" distance...

Getting braver and braver...he actually touched the goat.  Anna Lauren on the other hand was petrified...she would not get close to them at all.

We had a little time to waste before Cooper went to Pop Pop and MeMe's for the weekend and Anna Lauren had cheer so we let them ride a few rides.  

By far her favorite fair ride...the swings!

Cooper had to leave, but Anna Lauren enjoyed riding a few more rides by herself...

Fun Friday afternoon at the fair and then she was off to two hours of cheer and a spend the night birthday party.

Saturday morning we headed back to the fair grounds to watch Ashton show his goat again...

So proud of his ribbon...such a neat kid!

We promised the girls they could ride some rides together Saturday afternoon so they were happy as could be!

You cannot see Anna Lauren...just her hand on top of Bently's head.  Bently was not liking the ride and Anna Lauren was rubbing her head, talking to her, and trying to comfort her.

Until...Anna Lauren decided she didn't like it either...or fake she didn't like it (not sure which).

Safe to say this was not a favorite...

Anna Lauren got over the "bad" ride quick when she saw the swings and jumped on them once again!

If you catch them in just the right mood, they can be sweet...

They were a little hesitant to go on the bigger roller coaster by themselves so Barbie agreed to ride with them...

On a hot afternoon, they saved the BEST for last...they LOVED the water ride!

Think next year we'll for sure make plans to go because we had a super fun time and didn't even spend a crazy amount of money.  I set some "rules" and Anna Lauren never complained.  She just enjoyed what she was able to do...

Cooper's Pumpkin Patch Field Trip...

Friday Matt and I both took off work and went with Cooper's class on their field trip to the pumpkin patch. I was not super excited because we've been to this pumpkin patch several times, but it ended up being so much fun.  Cooper was totally different than when we've been with Anna Lauren who could take it or leave it...he really enjoyed riding in the trailer pulled by a tractor, seeing all the animals, and picking out his pumpkin.   

Attempting the class picture...

His teacher, Miss Rachel, is right beside Matt...she and her mom made pumpkin shirts for all of them for their field trip.  I thought they turned out so cute!

On the trailer and ready to go...excited little boy!

I must say I have never seen a bull with horns like this...

Watching the catfish eat some food...

Cooper and his best little buddy, KJ...

Looking for his pumpkin...on the way there, he told us he was getting a "baby" pumpkin...

He thought about a big pumpkin for just a second...

But he knew what he wanted...a "baby" pumpkin...

Proud of his "baby" pumpkin!

After he got his pumpkin, there was a little time to play...he only wanted to swing...not a surprise!

This picture just makes me happy...I LOVE fall!

Something must have been funny...

I think he was most excited about his field trip because he got to take his new lunchbox and have a picnic with his friends.  Too bad I couldn't get him to look at me...he was busy talking to his afternoon teacher, Ms. Jamie. 

Marriage Retreat 2013...

Matt and I had lunch with Jeremy and Christy on Wednesday and during lunch, Jeremy got an email...first 10 customers at Izzo's on Saturday would receive free burritos for a year.  Matt and Jeremy had done this once before...so...we all agreed to see if grandparents would keep the kids so we could  attend an all night "marriage retreat" camping out at Izzo's on Friday night.  This would mean free burritos times two or better yet, $680 in gift cards.

After lunch, I called my mom and she was all for coming and keeping the kids Friday night so we could camp out...the one thing I can say about her is she NEVER tells me no.  ALWAYS goes above and beyond to help me out as well as my brothers.  We would all be in trouble without Nanna!

The four of us arrived at Izzo's around 6:30 PM Friday...no one was in line yet so we sat our chairs out and headed in to enjoy a kid free dinner.  We actually just hung out inside and enjoyed our dinner, visited, got refills, and went to the bathroom several times because we knew it would be a long night.  Around 9:30 PM we headed outside for the night...thankfully Izzo's kept the door unlocked until they were done for the night so we were able to go to the bathroom and get drinks until midnight.

Christy and I in our chairs ready for the night...

Around 10 PM the other 6 came...juniors in high school from Jackson Prep.  Let me just say, they provided entertainment but were the nicest kids.  And...I think their parents that dropped by to check on them were relieved to see some "normal" adults sitting outside for the night with them.

Around 2 AM we settled in for the night...Matt and I had a pallet in the back of the van, Christy had a cot, and Jeremy had a "love seat" folding chair.  We slept from 2:00 to 3:00 and then had to go to gas station to the bathroom.  Then from 3:30 to 6:30, we were out...slept sound.  The boys went to sleep around 4:00 and slept until 8:00ish.  They had a wide range of sleeping gear...sleeping bags, blow up mattresses, inside their trucks, etc.

Saturday morning...Izzo's opened at 10:30 AM.  Thankfully, Nanna and the kids brought us some donuts. What donuts we didn't eat, we gave to the boys...they were gone in 2 seconds!

Receiving my $340 gift card...

Our new best friends!  They quickly put on their new Izzo's shirts and caps...they were proud of themselves and the gift cards they had just received.

Kind of hard to believe you can do something that fun and walk away with $680.  The gift cards are nice, and we will for sure enjoy...but...what we really enjoyed was a night with our dear friends just having fun with no worries in the world!

Back to Jumping...

Our trampoline died over 4th of July weekend.  We had plans to get another one but were holding out until Christmas time.  But...the Bounds are moving and didn't want to store their trampoline while building a house so score...we bought theirs at a GREAT price just in time to enjoy the fall outside jumping.

Thanks to Mr. Jeremy's and Daddy's hard work, we are in business and jumping away!

The little man was just as excited as Anna Lauren to have another trampoline...

Fascinated with the net...our old trampoline didn't have a net...

Many many hours will be spent right here on this trampoline...

Thanks Bounds family...love having a trampoline once again!

1st Grade School Picture...

Anna Lauren was not thrilled with her kindergarten school picture, which was printed in the yearbook (honestly, it was pretty bad), so she was determined to have a good picture this year.  She didn't disappoint...think it turned out pretty cute!