Fair Week

Last week was "Fair Week" for the Middendorfs. We went to Valleyfair on Tuesday evening. Fred's been wanting to get the boys there, but with time off for fishing, a week in Melrose, and saving time for the baby, he hasn't had a day to take off and go. So we just went for the "starlight", which saved money on Fred's admission, but the boys would have been the same all-day, odd I thought. Anyway, they had plenty of time to ride all their rides. I got to go on the carousel and ferris wheel, they let me know those were approved for pregnant women. Fred got to take the boys on the hot air balloons and got himself a little queasie. Then he took Jacob on the tilt-a-wirl and looked really pale after that, I guess age has finally caught up with him. The only big coaster style ride Jacob could go on was mouse trap, so they did that. By next year Jacob should be able to ride the big coasters and him and Fred will have a blast.

Fred with the boys on the carousel.

Fred and Gavin on the old time cars.

Jacob showing off his hula skills during one of the shows.

The boys in the bees.

Gavin's squeal on this ride was delightful.

They did many rounds on the "Mild Thing".

On Thursday it was the first day of the state fair. As usual, the Jeske clan was there. We didn't try too many new things - just schezuan schrimp, spam bites, pizza on a stick, chicken fried bacon, chicken pita, and deep fried cheeseburger were new to us. We had our old favorites - cheese curds, gyro, onion rings, cinni-minis, walley cakes, malts, corn fritters, cookies, cheese on a stick, buffalo bites, pronto pups and corn dogs (we do a test each year to see which we prefer). We had a few other things too, its sounds like a lot of food and it is, but we have a group of 12 so we really don't eat more than a couple bites of everything. Yum!

At the fair we always start by touring the Pet Center, then going thru the "Little Farm Hands", then heading to the 4-H building for their show. After the 4-H show we head to the food building for "lunch", even though we've been eating all morning. Then the kids get to do some rides, not too many, and check out the butterfly house. We watch the parade and find the new babies at the Miracle of Birth center. We also do one trip down the giant slide. Some years we get around more and get to the horticulture building and the international bazaar, but the kids have slowed us down a bit, so we don't see as much of the fair as we used to. Its still a yummy day and this year we had beautiful weather, so we had much more company at the fair than usual.

Our nephew Jesse tags along with Jeske clan and this year, Gavin would not hold on to anyone else's hand.

The cousins in orange ready to check out "Little Farm Hands".

Funny faced animals.

Gavin on a motorcycle ride.

Jesse in front and Jacob behind him on the Giant Slide.