Pool day

The pool is about to close for the summer.  We went in today to give it one last afternoon for this season.  

Harper has really developed into a good swimmer this year!  

 Saige decided to get brave and went off the diving board!

Preston put on an elaborate display of trickery. 

The tongue kind of cracks me up. 

Quincy is the belly flop queen! 

We love the water!  I am always sort of sad to see the pool close.   

Friday funday

At the very beginning of summer, Quincy asked me if we could please spend one day at the lake.  

I will be completely honest and say that although I grew up at the lake, somewhere in my adult life I have come to much prefer chlorinated water which I can see through.  I do not enjoy wondering exactly what it is that I am swimming with.  But, going to the lake is such a simple request that I said yes. 

Months ago.  

But Quincy did not forget, and I don't like to break a promise and so we decided we better go today. 

We were lucky enough to be joined by Quincy's bff and her family.  Her mom is one of my best friends of all time and so it was a nice outing.  

The kids stayed fairly close to shore, and got along well.  I had a nice visit with an old friend and we had a marvelous afternoon!  

I think this may become a last week of summer tradition! 

Winding down

Mallory and Madison had to go back to school this week.  Both have decided to live at home for this semester and drive into their classes.  Yes, I still require a back to school photo despite them being technically adults.  I figure nobody is ever sorry for photos they took.  Both girls said their first classes were great and are both happy with their selections. 

The rest of us are enjoying the last full week of summer break.  We conned Cameron into going to town for s'more makings when we saw dad lighting fires. Saige may or may not have waited patiently for him to get back!  

Harper is getting pretty excited about going to school.  She waited for Jim to get home on the porch because he promised to go school shopping with us when he got home from work. 

Cameron didn't wait on the porch, but he was nonetheless excited because he knows Jim is always game for eating someplace awesome while shopping!  

And Jim did not disappoint.  Quincy picked Five Guys.  It is always awesome. 

We did manage to get all of the school supplies (at least the ones listed).  I am always relieved to get that shopping job done (I dislike shopping more than about anything).   

Now we are ready for school and are just trying to entertain ourselves.   

It was so cool outside that we shut off the air conditioning.  The kids were getting a kick out of talking to me through the window.  Harper tried to teach Curley how to be a peeping Tom! 

Last day (we survived)!

We started out the last fair day with the pet show. This has become a favorite of our kids.  Quincy took Lollipop the bearded dragon.  

Preston took Curley the broken leg bottle goat giant baby. 

Harper and Saige did the open class pet show.  Harper took Dagmar and Saige took Chocolate.  

There was not a prize for ugliest cat, but Chocolate was extremely well behaved and got a blue ribbon. Dagmar and Lollipop also received blues (and Harper was not happy with getting a blue again today). 

Curley received reserve grand champion. This is the second year in a row that Preston got beat out by Hector the donkey.  It's kind of a challenge for next year! He has already decided the donkey is going down.  ;)

We followed up the pet show with the club tour.  We had a great turn out and our club was very well represented at the fair.  

This evening was the fair parade.  Saige was not feeling really good but it didn't stop her from catching some candy!  

Preston and Quincy rode the 4-H float.  

And Cameron's marching band sounded amazingly awesome.  

After the parade was the livestock auction.  This is the first time we have ever sold a baby that was born at our house.  We amazingly were not overly attached to Larry the goat and nobody was sad this evening.  We are proud that we had a baby born here that placed well, made weight and brought a great price at the auction!  

Colin also sold at the auction. His nameless pink girl brought a great price and Colin is extremely pleased.  

We finished up by serving the livestock auction buyers dinner as a thank you for their support.  We had this amazing crew!  

As we got in the car to come home, Preston and Quincy were saying how much fun they had this week.  Quincy said she wished the fair lasted for a month. I do love the county fair.  I love the fun and I know some of my best childhood memories are from county fair time, however I do not have the stamina to do a month of fair!