Hometown Fair

Jake's first ride!
Since Walker wasn't big enough to ride, Jake had to ride by himself. I thought for sure that he'd chicken out, but he was such a big boy!

Poor Walker was too little to participate in most of the fair stuff. :(

Fake smile + head lock= the best picture of the boys that I could get.

This was the only thing Walker could get on, and he had a blast! I literally had to pull him out kicking and screaming.

Our sweet neighbors offered to take Jake on this ride since I had to stay back with Walker, and again, I thought Jake would chicken out once he got near it...

...but once again, he proved me wrong and LOVED IT!

Yes, these are totally my children! You can't get enough free snowcones, popcorn, and hotdogs!

Jake was super excited to see Ryan Madden!

More of my silly boy on the inflatables.

Our neighborhood hosted a "hometown fair" for the residents this past weekend, and we had so much fun!! This was the first "fair" that either of my boys have been to, and while it was just a scaled-down version of a real fair, they thought it was the best thing ever! Considering that the hometown fair was completely free (rides and food), was void of typical "fair workers," and didn't have long lines- it beats the Perry Fair any day. ;)

Here's a cute story- there was 1 booth that was age appropriate for Jake to try to win a prize...it was called the "duck pond." It was basically a little kiddie pool with floating rubber ducks in it; you got 3 chances to pick up a duck with a star marked on. The more ducks with stars you picked up, the better the prize you got. Well, Jake got up there and picked up 3 ducks...no stars. The look on his face was devastating. I even asked the girl, "doesn't he at least get a consolation prize?" No bueno. :( I just told Jake that we'd try again. Well, about an hour later, we tried again; this time, I cheated and watched the kid in front of us for which ducks had stars. Sad, I know, but I was not going to let my child have his heart broken again over some cheap fair prize. Anyways, sure enough, he picked up the first duck....no star. He picked up the second duck...no star. He looked up at the fair worker with these sad puppy dug eyes, and I did it....I said, "Jake, pick this duck right here." Sure enough...STAR! He was so proud of that 10 cent ruler that she gave him! Hahaha!

Family Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Tractor race!

Listening to the band.

...and leaving the band.

King of the mountain!

King of the face-plant into the hay.

"What about this one, Mom?"

Jake shows Walker how it's done.

Snow cones to wrap up a fun-filled day.

Since UAB played last Thursday night (AND BEAT UCF!!), Tyson actually got Saturday off. This is the first Saturday we've had him home since the end of July, so we totally took advantage of the day and headed for the pumpkin patch.

Jake couldn't understand why we were going to the pumpkin patch again so soon, though, so I told him it because Daddy and Walker didn't get to go and Walker needed to pick out his own pumpkin for Halloween. Well, Jake being the sweet big brother he is, was all about "helping" Walker pick out his pumpkin. Too sweet.

I love, love, love family days like this. They are few and far between during football season, but that just makes them that much more special. :)

The Zoo: October Edition Round 2

I know what you're thinking...the zoo, again? Yes, we are such frequent flyers at the Zoo, the train conductor lets me and the boys ride for free. Ha!

While my mom was in town, we took her to the Zoo since she gets in free on my "grandparent pass." I didn't realize while I was there that I never actually photographed any of the animals, but I'm pretty sure I have photographed every single animal there at least once and posted it on this blog. ;) Oh well, enjoy the pictures of my mom and the boys.

Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

My best big boy and me

And again, but a little more squirmy this time.

The train ride
Petting a donkey

Jake and Kyle and their "prom pose" (according to Kyle's mom)

The pony ride

PaPa and Jake

Jake's group

Hayride!

Jake's buddy, Braden

Blurry picture, but beautiful background!

Jake and all of his buddies rough-housing

It was FREEZING today, but Jake refused to wear a jacket while Braden and Johnathon FROZE! How sweet is my mom?

Jump jump!

Lunch time with Jake's class.

Jake's school took a field trip today to the Great Pumpkin Patch in Hayden, Alabama, and my mom and I joined them.

My mom came to town yesterday to keep the boys while I went to a class at work, so I convinced her to stay on today to go to the pumpkin patch. Thank goodness she did, she was a HUGE help! Jake's class divided into two groups, and there were 8 kids in our group, 3 moms, 1 teacher, and my mom. That ratio doesn't sound too bad, but believe me, with 6 of those 8 being boys...those kids were a handful!! My mom was assigned Braden and Johnathon, and she was simply amazing! Jake's teacher hugged mom's neck at the end of the day and thanked her for coming; I just felt bad, though, that she had to be put to work and couldn't enjoy the day with Jake.

Jake had so much fun at the Pumpkin Patch. I asked him what his favorite part of the day was, and he said, "the train ride, the pony ride, the pumpkin patch, and the jump jumps." Ha! Oh, and the pumpkin that he is photographed with is not actually the pumpkin he picked- he actually chose a white pumpkin.