That Famous Preston Night Rodeo (and carnival)...

Rick's self portrait to prove he was still smiling at the end of the night

Jorie and her friends

Alex not wanting to go home

Gussy being scared on the dragon

Perennial favorite wackadoo

Who thought this would be a good idea

Okay so we went north for the yearly parade and carnival to get our fill of white trash for the year and we were not disappointed, white trash did abound. The parade was longer I think than some years. By the end our kids quit picking up candy, it was a duty to pick it up so trucks and horses didn't smash all that wonderful taffy into the asphalt. The carnival was very entertaining as it took both Rick and I to contain Alex. He was so excited that he galloped around the grounds not walked or run but this gallop. The famous dragon ride about did Gussy in when he was the same age as Alex. He was terrified. Alex and the little boy that he is riding with were trying to climb in the exit, so the carny worker picked them both up and put them in the ride strapped them down first and he didn't take our tickets, thank you Mr. Carny. Alex laughed the whole time and if you look close you can see Gus' terrified look on his face. We had to bribe Gus to even get on the dragon. Most expensive ride he took. All in all fun was had by all, except for when it was time to go home!!

First Dam Here We Come!!

We decided to take the kids to First Dam to day. As soon as we got out of the car, Alex started chasing the ducks all around. Libby was trying to be the duck whisperer. She wanted them to give up their feathers. They were trying to get one good enough to make a quill. A group of tweeners showed up and the whole time we were there we got to listen to some good camp fodder (the kind that you sing in your sleep, that won't ever leave your head). This little family showed up with a mini shih tzu. The little boy had to be Alex's age and he was dragging this poor dog waist deep into the water. It was just trying to keep his head up. Should've got a picture of that.

What a long strange trip?!

So we decided to walk up to the temple this evening and Alex started out riding his bike. Then it was too hard and Jorie started 'walking' him. Then he was mad and abandoned the bike all together. So we ended up tying it to the stroller for convenience. Talk about the Clampetts!! Well as you can see we finally made it to the temple. But then we had to pry Alex out of the fountain, he was trying to cross the 'river'. All in all we had a lot of fun.

What a way to spend the weekend!!

Some how I managed to get strep. So starting Friday night I was in horrible pain. I haven't been this sick for years and Saturday it dawns on me that I might possibly have strep throat. So of course we have to go to the emergency room because it's a Saturday and wait and wait and wait for a two second test to prove what I'm feeling. But the best part is is that I have to have the expensive Zythromax because Marcus is allergic to penicillin. On the bright side he just finished a round of Zythromax so hopefully he won't get strep throat.
If you look real hard you can see where his two bottom teeth have come in and he likes to use them!!

We are having lots of fun!!!

Gussy learned how to drive the tractor today and is busy shuttling Libby and Alex around. Alex has kept everyone busy with the tractor. Grandpa had to go remove the keys so Alex couldn't drive away. Also Marcus Had his first "solid" foods today. He seemed to like it and it went right through. But I was lucky and didn't have to be the one to clean it up. Grandma got to do that.

We officially have a teenager!!

We survived another birthday. Isn't she cute. I told her that she looks different now that she is 13. For her birthday we fixed all of her favorites: Blueberry pancakes, chicken alfredo, shrimp and crab. Then she picked out this awesome oreo cake. Now what do we do?!

It's her birthday!!!

Congratulations to Jorie. She made it to 13. I don't know what we are going to do today but it ought to be good fun. On another note Marcus is having an allergic reation to his medication, hopefully we can get that resolved today.