Fun with Friends

The Kids love the fair - they love the animals, fair food, the tractor pull, but mostly they LOVE the rides. So, here are a few pictures of the kids riding. Unfortunately, there are only a couple of rides for the little two so we end up spending a lot of time at those 3-4 rides. Carston however, was able to go on every ride this year except for one! He LOVES those rides. It is amazing to me how much more brave he gets each year! This year the kids have spent a lot of time at the fair with their "almost cousins" (long story, but we'll consider them family). They are such sweet girls. Bridie is 9 and going into the 4th grade and Annelise is 7 and headed off to 2nd grade this fall. They are super good with the little two and make great pals and ride partners for Carston! And boy, can those girls eat! :)

Kids and Pigs

Here is Carston leading his pig around the ring. He must have decided that the pig wasn't responding good enough to his stick, so he used his hand! Carston's pig had already been in the ring the day before and pigs are smart...so unfortunately for Carston, this pig knew where the exit in the corner was and that is exactly where she kept going. Once they are in the corners, it is really hard to get them out - notice the kid in the background with the red board like thing - those are guides to help move the pigs.



Here the Judge takes a minute to talk to Carston about his pig.


And when it is all over, Carston is all smiles! He really gets into the fair!

We weren't really sure how things would turn out for Camden. He really doesn't like the pigs - didn't even want to touch them. He absolutely hates the loudness of their squeals and is petrified when pigs start barking (yes, they bark) at each other! However, I am proud to say that Camden got out there with his pig and the other kids/pigs and did a great job. At one point the pig got turned around and was staring Camden in the face when it started barking at another pig...Camden started crying, but quickly got himself under control so that he could talk to the judge.

The judge was really good with the little ones. He asked them questions about their pigs and made small talk in order to make the kids feel more comfortable - after all these animals are HUGE compared to kids! Ex: Camden weighs 36 pounds - an average fair pig weighs around 280!

Once the show was over and Camden got his treat bag, he was all smiles! Here is is with his ribbon and his dollar...they also get candy, pencils, coloring books about pigs, etc.

County Fair Kids

Ever since 2005, Carston has shown a pig in the pee-wee showmanship event at the County Fair. He has loved it each year and it has been fun to watch him progress and get more confident. This year Camden was able to show as well! Since both of the boys were all decked out in their "cowboy" clothes as they like to call them, I certainly couldn't let Caroline go without "cowgirl" clothes! :)

Carston posing with his pig - this is his 5th year showing a pig, so he is a old pro!

What better place for a cowbow than on the back of a pick-up truck?

Both boys already had cowboy boots cause they love to dress up like cowboys, but they did get new Wranglers, big belt buckles and new hats! They LOVED shopping in Rod's Western Palace! I love to see my boys doing things they love - but I have to admit this was a stretch for me! :)

And Miss Caroline got a new dress out of the deal, too! Can you get any more "country" than bandana and cow prints? I turned these fabrics into a pillowcase dress and made her a bow (if you look closely you'll notice a cow resin in the center) to match!

July Recap

Last game of the season - made it to round 2 of the tournaments!!
Horse back riding at a birthday party!
Caroline wasn't quite sure what to think :)
Carston thinks he is a cowbow
Climbing a tree after getting icecream
Trying to get up as high as his brother
1st orange and white icecream cone from Romp's
Playing at the beach
Chasing the poor ducks at the duck pond!
Red, White & Boom with friends!

Caroline's Couture

So, you might have noticed that on the right side-bar there is an Etsy ad...well, I decided to give it a go. I love making tutus, bows, towels, burp cloths, dresses and other baby/kid things soo much that I thought this would give me an excuse to do it and maybe let others benefit from it! So, if you or someone you know is in need of such things, feel free to take a look - hopefully, you will find something you adore!

Wordless Wednesday

This would be grand!

I would LOVE to have one of these! Check out the details!

Cousins

These are the Spriggs cousins. My inlaws acquired two daughters-in-law and 5 grandchildren in a matter of 2.5 years! We are keeping them busy! :) Carston - 6.5, Camden -27 months, Brayden - 22 months, Caroline - 12 months and Brylee - 8 months! So, Grandma and Grandpa...when can you babysit?

Pink Party!

Caroline's party was Pink, Pink, Pink - with tutu's, tiara's and did I mention pink? It turned out well - despite my stressing over it for weeks!


Caroline got a kick out of the kids standing around her singing to her. She just grinned at them!

After several minutes of her daintily picking up small pieces of cake, she decided to just go for it! Not so lady like - but sooo funny!

Here is a shot of the cake/cupcake display! I am really happy with how it all turned out. I had never done a cake of that sort, so I was nervous about doing them, but I learned a lot and already have some ideas for the boys' parties!

And little Miss Caroline with her two big brothers. All in all, things turned out just fine! Thankfully, our next birthday celebration isn't until November!

Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

Another season of baseball is upon us. Carston is having a blast. He really loves baseball!



Here is Carston (#6) getting ready to field a ball! The little one behind him, is such a little cutie...but this is his first year playing!

Carston, examining his ribbon. This was from the pre-season tournament.

This year I have two toddlers to keep track of. Thankfully, Camden thinks he is part of the team. He wears his uniform, sits the bench, yells "Good Job!" periodically, and shakes hands after the game!

Here is Camden checking out his pre-season ribbon! Good thing he is satisfied with sitting the bench - I am sure this will be the last year that this position is suitable to him!

Here and There

With school days winding down and the weather getting nicer, we have been on the go. Carston had his Kindergarten program. It was so cute (I am partial, I know)! All of the classes (6 in all) worked all year to prepare many songs! Carston is the third one from the left in the front row - so handsome!

They sang, they danced, and they had a great time!

Then, we went to the zoo. We had some super warm weather (80's) for a few days and we took advantage and spent a day at the zoo.

We got to see the new baby elephant, too. He was really sweet! I have always taken a picture of Carston with this little elephant statue each year, from the time he could stand independently near it. He sure is getting so big!

Here is Camden's elephant picture for this year as well. I didn't try to get Caroline out of the stroller and propped up...maybe next time!

Happy Birthday Princess!

Caroline, You are one today (5/2). I can hardly believe it! It doesn't quite seem possible that we have had the privilege of having you as our daughter/sister for a year now. You are such a sweet baby and it is exciting to see more of your little personality each day. You are such a happy baby and you love to be loved on. You love your brothers so much - you grin from ear to ear when one of them walks into the room. So many things about you are so girly - from the way you tip your head to the side and smile, scrunch up your nose, squeal, and twirl your earrings. It is so fun to have a little girl in this house. We love you so much and look forward to many more special memories with you. Happy Birthday to my Sweetest Caroline.

Since when do I NOT like pink?

So, pink is my favorite color - which is just one of the many reasons I LOVE having a little girl to get all dolled up! However, yesterday I stumbled upon a situation that has caused me to dislike pink (only for this one occasion)...Scott has pink eye!!! The only plus side to this is that if I get it, I have an excuse to stay home from work for a day. I am really hoping that the kids don't get it - for some reason, they don't appreciate having their eyelids pried open to get drops instilled!?!?

All in a day

So, today was the first official day of Spring Break for all of us. It snowed!!! While we weren't playing in the warm sunlight, sunning ourselves on a beach, or anything else remotely related to a typical spring break - we did get a lot accomplished today. The 3 boys got their hair cut (for Easter Bunny pictures later this week), Scott finished grouting all of the bathroom (yeah!), and I made Caroline a new dress. The dress was super easy. I am really excited to make her some more. I am having fun sewing (who knew?) and I just hope she doesn't grow up and look back and think, 'what was my mom thinking, making all those things to put on me'. ha ha! So, while we have plenty more to do this week - at least we started off the week with a bang! :) There will be plenty more pictures this week as we hit up the Easter Bunny, spring portraits, and a visit to the indoor water park!

It's been a while!

So, I have changed the look of the blog a little - in hopes that it will motivate me to blog. It has been a l-o-n-g winter. I am hopeful that spring is right around the corner! Since I last posted, we celebrated: Scott’s big 3-0 (with a surprise party), Valentine’s Day, and our 3 year anniversary! We have also completed Carston’s first basketball season (a great time), started potty training Camden (sort of), and watched as Caroline has become more mobile (she is crawling and pulling herself up and walking around things). For now, I will leave you with a few pictures.