Backyard Fun at Mimi and Poppa'a House

Mimi and Poppa have a BEAUTIFUL backyard with lots of fun things to play with and explore... there is the swing set/fort, the sandbox, playhouse, tractors to ride, and lizards and butterflies to catch..the kids always have a fun time playing in the backyard!

This trip was no exception as we spent a lot of our time at home in the backyard. One day we blew up a swimming pool and took a break from the Livestock Show to have a fun afternoon playing and swimming in the backyard.

Charlie turned a bench over on it's side so he could put the water hose on it and make a waterfall...

Then he climbed it...

had a drink...

And jumped off... with his Mom's permission first, of course...

I love getting to spend time with my nephew. He comes up with things girls would never think of... I love you Charlie... you're a cool little guy!

The Rodeo

The kids enjoyed front row seats at the Rodeo. They loved watching the girl stunt team do tricks on their horses, cheering on the bull riders, and laughing at the silly rodeo clowns.

Go Cowboy, Go!

Lila and Kate

Kate wants to be a cowgirl when she grows up so she was really taken by the cowgirls at the rodeo who did tricks on their horses. When they came and sat by us in the stands Kate kept scooting closer and closer to this one until she was right next to her... it was so cute... we had to ask for a picture!

I'm still trying to download and sort through all the pictures of our adventurous week, so Charlie's big debut in the Mutton Bustin' is still coming.... Check back soon...

The Show Animals

Hogs...


The girls got to pet a baby calf that was only three days old...

The Clydesdales..




Long day... tired girls...

Pony Rides

These poor ponies logged a lot of miles walking in circles for a week! They were a big hit though even in the sweltering heat. Lila who LOVES horses and ponies and Kate who wants to be a cowgirl when she grows up were in pony Heaven!

The Carnival Rides

A livestock show is not complete without the carnival. They had a lot of rides specifically for little ones and our kids had a blast! It was just a preview for our trip in the fall to Disney World!





The carousel was by far Emily's favorite... there were BIG tears when our turn was over!



And the Fun Slide was a big hit as well... we all had to do it several times!


Check out Emily's face in this one..

The big race... Mimi and Kate, against Charlie, Mommy and Lila

Mommy and Lila won but Charlie was really close!
And we had to play a few games... guaranteed a prize... for some new stuffed animals!


Aunt Summer and Mommy wasted a lot of time and money trying to win the kids a bunny in an impossible game... although looking back on it I'm not sure why... what would we have done with a bunny?

The Tractor Pull

Charlie was old enough to participate in the Tractor Pull this year. The amount of weight you pull with your tractor was determined by your age. As the kids started pedaling their tractor the weight shifted making it harder and harder for them to pedal. Charlie did great though and made it through three rounds!

The girls were all too small to enter but they had a great time cheering for Charlie... well everyone except for Emily. She was too busy with her corn dog...

there was no coming between this girl and her corn dog...She ate the WHOLE thing!

Cowgirl Katie was very proud of her big brother!

And the girls did get a chance to try out the tractors after the event was over!


Way to go Charlie!

The Petting Zoo

The Llama Whisperer... Emily kept getting right up in their face and whispering to them.. it was hilarious!





The kids were all very gentle with the animals and enjoyed getting to feed them. Lila wanted to take one home with us but there isn't enough persuasion in the world to get me to agree to a goat... no thanks!

A Dream Come True...

Lila and Wendy...