The Richards Home: 2009

State Fair

We had another great time at this years state fair. The boys had to visit with every chicken, horse, cow, rooster, turkey, sheep, llama, and every other farm animal! We also got to feed giraffes, watch a couple of men race motorcycles in a metal ball thing, create different crafts, taste some delicious food, and help to decorate a quilt for our troops overseas. I also for some strange reason volunteered when a cop asked for someone brave and ended up being in a demonstration of what happens when a car crashes and the air bag goes off. I have never been so freaked out and still don't have any idea why I raised my hand....I guess I figured others would too and ended up being the only one in the crowd that did! The boys were very proud of me though and said I was the coolest Mom ever....that right there made it all worth it!

Parade

We went to two different towns fun activities. The first was at the park where the boys did arts and crafts and had their face painted. Then we went to the other town where the boys got to sit in a tank, play some games, watch a magic show, and wathc the parade. Although it was a busy day, we had a good time enjoying the beautiful weather!

Zoo

Dustin and I took the boys to Rochester Zoo. Ethan LOVED watching the monkeys and we almost had to leave him there. Cameron was loved getting to watch them feel the piranas and Dylan loved everything! We had a great day!

I have a shot just like this when Cameron was 2!

Gizmo and Ethan

Gizmo has decided that she really likes Ethan and I will often find the two of them curled up fast alseep!

Photo Contest

The boys and I went ahead and entered a photo contest. The rules were you had to take picture around town in the categories people, animal, weather, or place. The boys had a lot of fun getting to use my camera and we were all impressed with the pictures they took. These are the ones we entered. When we showed up to deliver the pictures we were shocked to find out that the kids were competing with the adults (both professional and amatuer). We warned the boys to not get their hopes up but no matter what I would be putting the framed pictures up in the house. We were shocked to go see the pictures and find that Dylan had won second place in the weather catagory. He was thrilled. Not to say I don't think Dylan did a good job but out of the three boys he was the one to spend five minutes shooting while the other two spent hours getting just the right shot....its just funny how things turn out!

Dylan's place picture:

Ethan's weather picture:

My person picture:

Dylan's weather picture titled "The Angels are Clapping" (won 2nd place)

Ethan's animal picture:

Cameron's place picture:

Cameron's animal picture:

Florida/Virginia Trip

So these pictures are out of order but this summer my Mom, the boys, and I headed out for a trip down to Florida. We stayed overnight the first night in NC at a hotel. It poured while we were there and the boys were shocked I let them splash in all the puddles (I had a great video of it but accidently shut the phone before saving it)! The following day we stopped at South of the Border...if you havnt been there before you just have to stop once for the experience....words can't explain it! We then stayed with my Grandparents in Ocala FL. The boys loved catching every lizard and finding 3 snakes (even after we told them to NOT look for snakes). My Grandpa got the us passes to the YMCA pool which the boys loved! It had a great outdoor kids play area. We then drove down to my Uncle Keith's and Aunt Kim's house but on the way stopped at Homosassa (a big outdoor animal preserve place). It was our first time seeing a manatee and the boys were amazed at how it kept coming up to the window to see them. When we arrived at my aunt and uncles house they had the evening planned with a trip to Chuckie Cheese. Ethan insisted that we were lying because Chuckie Cheese is not real its only on tv. Boy was he awe struck when we walked in! We ended up staying there until 10:00 pm. The following morning we went to the beach and had a good time looking for shells and playing in the warm waves. We then headed back to my grandparents house and spent the next few days seeing the flea markets, visiting the race horses, and just spending a great time enjoying my grandparents company! We then headed up to VA where we toured Jamestown and spent an evening with my Uncle James and Aunt Shannon. It was such a nice vacation down and even nicer to get to visit with so many family members that I have not seen in years. Miss you all already!

For the boys I just have to write...."like I paddle my canoe, I'll paddle yours too!"

If you notice two of the boys have clenched fists....we went to see the horses but they ended up finding tiny frogs...by the time we left they had over 40 in a little pop bottle!