Mud Run and the Fair

Last weekend the kids and I went down to Boonville to visit Grandma and Grandpa Cas and to experience excitement like no other - The Cooper County Fair!  But before we get to that I want to show some pictures of Elsie, who just finished up with soccer...

And back to our trip to Grandma's...  So the kids and I left Sarah at home for a much needed weekend to herself.  We had big plans while in Boonville.  First on the list was the slip 'n' slide!  The kids favorite approach was to have me grab one leg and one arm and then fling them, spinning, down the slide.  THEY LOVED IT!

I look like Superman coming in for a landing...

...but my landing gear failed.  :)

Next on the agenda was the Cooper County Fair, and that started with the Mud Run!  My next door neighbor growing up, Jeff, has a sweet Jeep that he's been racing for years now and we have never gotten to see him do it so this was a great opportunity.  The kids were really excited too because they've seen his jeep next door to Grandma's house on multiple occasions.

Owen LOVED IT!  Once the trucks and jeeps started going he was absolutely mesmerized.  Elsie thought it was neat too, but Owen was on a different level.  He was cheering and jumping up and down when they made it through the pit.  Very into it...

Here's Jeff!  We (and especially Owen) cheered him on!

That thing is FAST!  And it looks like A LOT of fun!

After literally dragging the kids away from the mud run we grabbed a quick bite for dinner and then it was time to ride some rides.  As you can see the fair wasn't too busy for a Saturday night.  Might have had something to do with the mud run still going on. Might have had something to do with the fact that it rained earlier and it was about 85 degrees with 1000% humidity and no breeze...  Either way it was game-on for the kids.

Elsie and I should not have ridden this.  About 10min after scarfing down a double pork burger and a red Gatorade I had the bright idea to give it a whirl.  What could go wrong?  About 10 seconds in was apparent that I'd made a mistake.  It went upside down, forward and backward.  Afterwards Elsie said it was the most fun ride did all night.  All I could think about while we were on it was to not toss my cookies (I kept envisioning the red Gatorade) and hold on to Elsie.  Mission accomplished, but just barely.  I felt queasy for the next hour but it was worth it because Elsie loved it. :)

Even Grandma Cas got in on the action.

Sno-cone time!

Sunday morning Owen made a mud run of his own in the sandbox with a little help from Grandma and Grandpa.  Cute!

 

Playing with hotwheels in the sandbox is pretty much one of the best things ever.  When I was a kid it was about all that  my next door neighbor Jeff and I ever did.  It is in Owen's genes.  :)

Awesome picture

The kids helped Grandma plant these sunflowers this spring.  Holy cow look at them now!

Not fair!  I wanted one of these so bad when I was a kid...

We had a really fun time at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and even though it was super hot/humid we found a way to play outside and enjoy one of the last few weekends of the summer.  Elsie starts kindergarten in a couple of weeks and Owen is starting at a new preschool the same day, so there are some pretty big changes coming our way awfully soon.

Ryan, Sarah, Elsie, and Owen