Iowa State Fair 2013

We went to the Iowa State Fair on Friday, August 9.  This is the day that worked to meet with some college friends and that has now become an annual tradition.  Our day started early and we started with a special treat of Casey's donuts for the trip to Des Moines.  This year, unlike years past, we stopped at Southeast Polk to take the shuttle in to the fair.  It was okay, but we were there at 8:30am and had to wait 45 minutes to get on a shuttle due to the long lines.

Eliza and Ephraim enjoying the bus ride!

Our first stop was the swine barn.  They had this cardboard cut-out for a photo op!  In this barn we always enjoy seeing the Big Boar and the Avenue of Breeds.  

Can't go to the fair without checking out the equipment!

There was a Lego display/play area this year.  We just took a picture and then moved on.  

Each child got $5 to spend at the fair.  The girls chose the hats that you'll see in the next couple of pictures.  The boys opted to save their money, pool it with some of their own, and then spend it at the Iowa Die Cast Farm Toy Store (smart boys!) and we stopped there before leaving Des Moines.  

Eden eating her corndog.  Here's our lunch plan:  Mama packs a picnic lunch and we each get to buy one thing for lunch.  Most of us got a corndog and then we brought our own chips, fruit, dessert and drinks.  This works pretty well for us.  Then throughout the fair, we can snack on our homemade granola bars.  That way we don't spend an arm and a leg at the fair.  

Eliza, Emma and Eden . . . 

and then we discovered . . . .

. . .  they all had the same shoes!  Quirky, I know but college roommates can still think alike!

A picture of the 6 kids together:

Ephraim, John, Emmet

Eden, Emma, Eliza

We toured the DNR building together.  Here are the girls sliding over on the rails.  

Julie and I

The guys:  Erin, Seth, Scott

Seth & I with Scott & Julie

Ephraim, Eliza, Emmet, Eden, John & Emma

(This picture shows their personalities!)

We said our good-byes and continued on our trip around the fair.  We like to visit the Law Enforcement area.

We stopped in the Agricultural Building to see the Butter Cow and visit the Heifer International booth.

Looks like Ephraim is 5 feet tall at the fair!

Emmet's 4 1/2 feet tall!

Eliza's not quite 4 feet tall!  

And Eden's  . . . 

Oh, Eden's off to the side pouting because she didn't get to be first by the board.  

On our way to the bus stop we stopped by the horse arena and found the concrete ribbon decorated by some friends of ours in memory of their son who passed away last year.

Another photo op by the horse arena!

Checking out some horses!

It was a great day at the fair!  The weather was perfect, the crowds weren't bad at all and we enjoyed our family time.  It was great to visit with friends, too.  The Iowa State Fair is great for making memories!