Evergreen State Fair

Today we went to the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe.  For years, Ed and I have had a tradition of going to both this fair and the Puyallup Fair.  So far, the only year we missed was the 2010 Puyallup Fair - and for a very good, little-bundle-of-joy-type reason!  :)

We always have a great time at the fair - pack some snacks, the stroller, some sunscreen and head out the door.  This year, Samantha was so enthralled with the animals.  We must have visited every single animal barn at the fair this year!  It's all worth it to see her smile and hear the giddiness in her voice as she imitates the animal sounds!

As is tradition, we also stopped at the Frontier Photo Booth - where we get dressed up in "old west" clothes with props and everything, and they take our picture in front of a saloon-type background and print it out in a sepia-tone.  If you're ever at our house, that last three years are on display! ;)

We also decided to take Samantha on a few rides this year.  Since she did so well and loved the ride at Remlinger Farms last week, we bought enough tickets for her to ride four rides.  Our first stop - the merry-go-round.  Samantha picked which animal she wanted to ride, first the zebra then the rabbit, and I got to go with her both times.

Look at that smile!

So glad I got to ride with her!

She also rode a car ride - although she was getting pretty sleepy toward the end of this one:

And then rode with a bunch of other kids on the train ride:

She's the cute one in the pig-tails on the end there!

We also some time (and money) over by the games.  Ed played a dart game and won Samantha a stuffed horse that we've since named Clyde (that was Ed's idea!). 

Some major concentration happening here!

The victor and her prize (darn that sun glare in the photo)!

The only low spot of the day was when some contract workers were setting up a booth and ran into Ed with a huge display.  Yeah, that didn't fare so well on his back.  They kind of apologized, then ran off.  The guy in charge of the booth wouldn't take any responsibility for it and at one point, got in Ed's face about it and started swearing.  Uh-oh mister, you just poked the momma bear.  That language is NOT ok in front of my daughter and I made it a very loud point to tell him so.  Even though Samantha was actually sleeping, there is no excuse for resorting to that kind of talk, especially at a family-oriented venue.  Needless to say, he backed away from me and rather sheepishly offered an apology!

Of course, at the end of the fair we continued with our tradition of buying some Fisher Scones for the ride home (and breakfast the next few days - yummmm!).  Great weather, great exhibits, great rides - all the makings of a great day!