The Alaska State Fair

The Alaska State Fair is usually in August extending over Labor Day weekend.  This year we had not had a family outing so we thought we'd attempt the fair.  In the past, our older girls haven't even known that it even existed so we didn't feel like we need to introduce them (as it isn't one of Tim or my favorite things to do).  But this year we happened to pass by the fairgrounds in Palmer when they were setting up the rides.  Heidi is a smart girl and there was no way we could keep the fact that the fair was just around the corner from her.

So on Family Day, we packed up and made the 2-1/2 hour drive to the fair.  We joined many other families and the fairgrounds was crawling with children.  The first thing we did was head to the animal barn.  If you've been reading my blog long enough, you'll know that we all love animals.  It was a joy to hear their squeals of delight while we tried to keep track of everyone.  Craig started in the backpack but wanted to get on eye level with the critters so we let him down.  Natalie had a habit of wandering (I think she got that from her mother) and was temporarily lost while she headed to the turkey pens.

After seeing the animals and grabbing some caramel corn, we headed to the kiddie rides.  Craig and Natalie spotted the cars.  The both lit up.  Each had their own interests though.  Natalie enjoyed the cars going up and down while Craig was pushing all the buttons in the car and really wasn't paying any attention to where he was going.  Good thing the cars were all on a track.

Heidi and Jess got their first taste of a roller coaster.  You can see their faces in the second car from the left.  It was a thrill that just whetted their appetite for more.  Each got two rides as this was all our budget would allow and there were promises of rides at a theme park someday...someday.

Jessica snuck in just under the height requirements for the big swing.  Of the two rides, I think they preferred the roller coaster best.

 We couldn't go to the Alaska State Fair without getting a picture with the Giant produce.  Alaska is known for their giant produce.  The long summer days produce prime growing in the Palmer area where they grown huge cabbage, pumpkins and broccoli.

After three hours at the fair, we had had our cotton candy, caramel corn, seen the animals (also those of homo sapien variety) and ridden the rides.  Craig was cranky and finally fell asleep in my arms which meant that I had to carry him all the way to the car.  A lot of use the backpack was.  We hit the grocery store and hit the road for the trip home.  An exhausting day, yes, but which one isn't with our brood.

Buttercup Update

Every time Natalie is asked to pray for a meal we hear something like this..."God, thank you that we can eat our food by ourselves and the chickens eat their food by themselves. Amen."

Even though the chickens no longer reside at our house, their memory is not gone. Just recently, Heidi saw the owner of the chickens. He told her that an owl had gotten Blackberry, but that Buttercup had grown up into a nice big Rooster! A Rooster named Buttercup!!! Maybe he could have fit in with the hens on "Chicken Run" better than his counterpart, Rocky. Mr. John said, "It's a funny thing. That rooster is a loner and just walks around in circles. He doesn't interact with the other chickens." I'm not surprised. He doesn't think of himself as a chicken-he's a kid. He's probably bored too-no flying lessons or gourmet made meals out of green bean ends. He's probably thinking..."Those were the day! I had attention every day. I got to be cheuffered in a bucket. They clothed me like a baby! Oh, for the land of the Hand's."