The Fair

This post should have been written weeks ago!!! I'm so behind! 

On Labor Day, we went to the fair in Memphis.  We do try to go every year; the kids love the rides and the animals, and of course, fair food! Aside from being SUPER HOT, it was a fun day!  The kids were definitely pooped when we got home, but it is a fun annual event!

Susanna amazed by the camels...

We have learned over the years that it is really best just to buy the "hand stamp" formerly known as a "wrist band."  These kiddie rides are over so quickly and they can ride unlimited times with the stamp.  The past couple of years we thought it was more economical to buy a certain number of tickets, but no!!!  We always spent a lot on those.  So, the stamps are not cheap, but for these two, they rode a TON of rides, and it was well worth it!  I think they rode this race track one at least 4 times!

They loved feeding the animals... that never gets old!

Eli is our little biologist, so he was loving this!

More rides!

Susanna watching .. 

Now, it's her turn!  

Video of the kids going around and around!!!  I didn't edit it; it's pretty long - just the kids going around MANY times!!!

The ferris wheel!

We had a fun time. Each year, the kids are able to last a little longer before they completely melt down from exhaustion!  Can't wait for next year!

Susanna's First Haircut and Eli's on TWO Wheels

Wow, it seems like since school started, the rat race has definitely begun!  We managed to carve out some time this week for two important events!

Susanna got her first haircut!  We are trying to let her "bangs" grow out, so she doesn't look much different from the front, but the back looks so much nicer!  She had a fun time and told everyone the next day that she had a haircut! She actually sat pretty still.  What a difference a few months makes!  With girls, you can kind of put it off a little longer than with boys - those extra months made it so much easier! I remember a lot of wiggling during Eli's first haircut!

Before....

After!

Our other news is that Eli is riding his bike without training wheels!  His good friend Nate just accomplished this over the weekend - so we think this spurred him on a bit!  The past few days, Eli has been very interested in riding.  The Easter Bunny got the kids a "Skuut" balance bike (no pedals - just push off and coast/balance) - he got tipped off that there was one at a consignment sale nearby!  Madeline used that for several weeks then started riding without training wheels.  Eli has been gliding around our house on it for months - I am convinced that bike is magic!  Tonight is the first time he even tried to ride  the real bike without training wheels.  We took the training wheels off Madeline's old bike several weeks ago thinking he was probably ready.  But, he didn't want to try much.  Nate is our eternal "inspirer!"  Eli got on that bike tonight and really just took off with one push!  It was amazing!  We got home and took the training wheels off his bike, and he was off!  Now, he really does need a new bike for his birthday.  The old one is really so small for him.  We are so excited for him!

Here's a video!  

Have a great day!  I've got more to post (Kai's party and the Fair!) - 

I'll try to get more out over the weekend!

Happy Birthday, Nonna

I am one day late on my birthday post!  I am so sorry, Nonna!  

Yesterday was Tim's mom's (AKA Nonna!) birthday!  We love Nonna so much.  She has such a loving and giving heart!  She definitely comes through any time any of us need her, and we are so thankful for her.

Here's Nonna and all our wonderful grandparents at Grandparents' Day at Madeline's school Friday!
We gave her a present from all the brothers and their families - it was great to be able to see her so close to her birthday!

She is so proud of all her grandchildren!

Here are some of my favorite pictures of them!

It started with these two!!!

And once upon a time, it was just these three along for the ride!!!!

Who would have thought in 2012, these three would have these seven!

Nonna's greatest love - her grandchildren!

We love you so much, Nonna!  Happy Birthday!

Kai

My brother's Diabetic Alert Dog (DAD) arrived one week ago today!  Brad, Tiff and Kai have undergone nearly a week of training.  The trainers actually came to St. Louis for nearly a week to deliver Kai and help Brad and Tiff learn what to do the next few months to continue his training.  It takes 2 full years to complete his training, and trainers visit every 3 months.  This is a top notch organization - so thorough and dedicated to the success of their dogs!  It's been so wonderful to hear the excitement and hope in both Brad and Tiffany.  We are amazed at what Kai is doing already and cannot wait to meet him!  We will see him this weekend for "Cocktails for Kai," a fundraiser they are putting on! (If you are interested in supporting them, you can find info on their blog!)  Kai has already alerted several times each day!  It's incredible!  Finally, some help with this chronic and sometimes hopeless disease.

Here are some adorable pictures Tiffany's been sending.... I also stole some from their blog - they are just too cute!

Another family near St. Louis was getting a dog as well.

What a beautiful dog!

I love the smile on Brad's face!  Really just brings tears to my eyes!