State Fair

We really had no intention of going to the Indiana State Fair this year. We can't ever seem to get out of there without spending a fortune. We'd already been to Holiday World and Smoky Mountains where we rode rides and walked around in the hot sun. But, when I found out that the last Friday they were offering free admission to the fair, I decided we should go. It took my husband a little convincing though. We didn't do a whole lot, got our elephant ear, listened to some music, rode some ponies...

Free Family Fun

Nathan got some free tickets to the Moto Gp practice and qualifying on Saturday at the Speedway. The girls said they wanted to go, so we did. We weren't sure how long they would last and if they would even like it. But hey, they were free. They did get pretty bored/tired at the end, but we spent $10 on the most expensive ice cream to hold them until it was time to go. Nathan, on the other hand, was in heaven. We now know never to take our kids to that kind of race again.

Back to School

School is back in session! Brooke started 3rd grade yesterday and seemed to have a great time in her 3rd school in 3 years.



Charlotte started Kindergarten! Yesterday we just went in for a 45 minute orientation type thing. She was so excited and wanted to go to school as soon as Brooke left. She wears her backpack around all day. Today was her first official day, and with her going in the afternoon, the morning seems to drag by for her. She constantly asks if it's time to go to school yet.

A Smoky Mountain Vacation

So we just got back from what was supposed to be a relaxing family vacation in the Smoky Mountains. Not much relaxing when you have kids, right? They always want to be doing something. I guess it was supposed to be relaxing for Nathan, I had my relaxation in Minneapolis. And it was relaxing for him I guess, not having to deal with work for a whole week, which is hard since he has a company phone and has emails going to it all day and all night.

We left Wednesday morning and arrived to our cabin in the woods in the late afternoon. It was definitely nice to bring our own food and cook a little. Although, I learned after frying bacon for 1 hour on Thursday that I wasn't going to do that my whole vacation while everyone else was in the hot tub. So I guess it was nice to have a fridge and microwave and room to eat the food.




We saw a few shows: The Dixie Stampede, but can't say I was impressed. It's a dinner show, with yummy food, but you're supposed to eat and watch at the same time, while it's dark. Not so hard for me, but my kids hardly ate anything. And there was no silverware.


Of course we took a ride through the park in Cade's Cove. Really just to find bears, and we were not disappointed.




According to Brooke, the best part about the vacation was riding a tram up the mountain. Nathan thought it was a waste of money, but really, it's not something you get to do everyday when you live in Indiana. There was a whole other town up the mountain with rides, restaurants, shops, etc. The workers there left much to be desired. Pretty rude and unhelpful actually. I left a very long negative comment card with guest services. But I would do it again just to ride up the mountain...we'll avoid the rides the next time!






Oh, and we just HAD to go to a go-kart track. (Can you sense the sarcasm?) All we had to do was spend a bazillion dollars and we could ride everything we wanted all day long. Woohoo!!








We can't talk about how our 5 year old will go on the roller coaster, but our 8 year old won't. It's a pretty touchy subject so don't ask her. (the 8 year old)

Overall, it was a great trip. I think we're done traveling for a bit now since school is staring Wednesday!! Yippee!!

Minneapolis

I know, I know... nobody wants to hear that I went on another trip with my husband sans kids. But let me clear something up...This was not really a getaway with my husband...I never saw my husband. He was tied up in meetings from 7 am to 10 pm. So I ate all my meals by myself (except when we were driving to and from), shopped by myself (don't really mind that) and went to a movie BY MYSELF! ( a little awkward, not sure I would do that again).

Let's see..I have absolutely no pictures to share with you from this trip...did I mention I was by MYSELF the whole time?? Who's gonna take a picture?

And I know nobody wants to hear that I got yet another pedicure, so I won't mention that. ;-) Or that I got my first ever manicure...no I won't tell you that either. I also won't tell you that I got a massage...I KNOW nobody wants to hear all about that.

I WILL tell you I spent a LITTLE too much money shopping, but not at the Mall of America like you might think. That place was just too big and too expensive. I stuck to my fave staple-Kohl's. A lot of money was spent there and I can tell you that I'm having buyer's remorse right about now. :-) Some of it may have to go back before my husband get's the bill ;-)