County Fair- July 2023

The weather forecast predicted a blisteringly hot day, so we tried to get there early, which was a mixed success. The midway and rides didn't open until noon, and we had to face the heat, anyway! We met up with Rundy, Deborah, and the children for a bit, but they had to leave early because of Debbie's midwife appointment, so only Marnie is featured in a few snapshots, more's the pity.

Look! It's a two-seater for the romantically-inclined farmer.

The county fair is so tiny, but it still has enough to hold our attention. Tractors, livestock, and elephant ears. We are a simple people.

This is our last hurrah in the long line of yearly stair-step pictures at the fair.

Piper and Annika become more alike as the years go by, and they share a love of bovines.

We caught some barrel-racing, but it was sweltering, and we didn't stay long.

We all had loads of vicarious enjoyment watching Ransom go on his first solo ride. I wasn't sure if he'd start crying or not, but he was big-eyed and enamored the whole time.

Lark went on the caterpillar rollercoaster ALL BY HERSELF. She was super-scared but still said she had a good time. The fun she's since had bragging about how scary it was has more than made up for the fright she experienced on the ride itself. You can scarcely see part of her head here. The ride was too high and too fast and too scary for me to get a picture of her.

Cadence went on Hang Glider for the first time, accompanied by Annika and Aidan. I was convinced she'd be traumatized once it started swooping skyward, but I was wrong. She came off bouncing and smiling, declaring it the best ride ever. 

Here they cooooome!

Zeke rode with two strangers. Here he is hanging on for dear life. 

Millie, Susannah, Piper, Luci, Annika, and Caleb all rode the swings. I'm sure they're here in this picture somewhere.

The grandstand was HOT, and we were TIRED and THIRSTY.

I say it again.

We were HOT and TIRED and THIRSTY.  What, O, what, I ask, shall save us from this torment?

Lo, they have come.
Yes, siree, elephant ears stretched in a line should do the trick.

Caleb met up with us for lunch and hung out for a couple of hours so he could see everyone before he had to leave for school. He has a notoriously healthy diet and normally eschews sugar. WE MADE HIM EAT HALF AN ELEPHANT EAR because we are kind and thoughtful.

Every year, these girls perch at the top, whisper secrets, and grin down at me.

Aidan doesn't trust them.

And that's that.