Circus Night!

For the past two years, Brian and I have taken the kids to the circus and continued the tradition again this year.  They were *SO* excited this year because 1) it was the circus and 2) this year's circus theme was DRAGONS - say what?!?!!  They are all into dragons lately and love to watch the How to Train your Dragon show and movie - they kept asking if Toothless was going to be at the circus.

After school we had mandatory naps since I knew they'd be up later than usual for the show.  We then loaded up, grabbed some Bojangles and popped by Brian's office to eat and grab him to go.  We got there early enough to go down on the floor and see some stuff up close (and ran into our friends the Markham family).

Once the show was about to start, Naylor started freaking out because he wanted a lighted twirly gig (that was $22!!) and I was able to play that off on Brian having all the money and he'd gone with Lalon to fetch popcorn... then he spotted the snow cones and I don't care if they were giving them away, we WERE NOT having snow cones - I was not mentally prepared for that sticky, messy sugar high.  He calmed down shortly and was distracted by the popcorn and show starting and then we all had a fun time.  I can't believe the lady in front of me didn't turn around and kick my ass though, as Whitley Ann (who sat on my lap the entire time) continued to kick her in the back of the head repeatedly.  I mean like 8 times at least.

Everyone was in the groove after intermission and the remainder of the show was smooth sailing.  We had gotten an awesome parking spot, so we scooted out quickly and were home in no time.  The kids are all tucked into bed and Brian and I aren't far behind.  What a fun time out - I see this tradition in our future for a few more years.

I couldn't take my "good" camera in so I just used my phone since my old point and shoot is so slow - excuse the picture quality!

Lalon showing off her blue teeth / tongue from the cotton candy.

Whitley Ann was in HEAVEN with the horses - I think she may be a veterinarian or cowgirl - she has a small horse obsession.

Naylor sad over his lack of lighted whirly gig and snow cone - fret not, he survived AND had a good time without them.

I would love to have a Great Dane - I felt like this random dog in the opening parade was a sign. Then when we got home and watched a quick show, there was one on that show (randomly, not regularly there) and I told Brian it was DEFINITELY a sign!

shoving in the sugar!

Happy Birthday Pa!

Today is my Daddy's birthday, the young fifty-something that he is!  We loaded up and made a day trip to SamCo on Saturday to spend time with the family and have a little pizza party for Daddy.  The kids sure do love going to the farm, as do I, but I love seeing them there, just running and interested in all it has to offer from the plants to equipment to animals.  We have fun cousins there too!  :)  After a full afternoon of play, we had a pizza party with cupcakes and ice cream and then a little later, hit the road back home.  A fun day with the family, no doubt.  I told the kids that today was actually Pa's birthday though and that we'd make his favorite prize snack after school - peanut butter crackers with a marshmallow on top, popped in the oven and browned up right.  They thought that was the best thing and timing worked out that we were able to FaceTime with Pa, Annie and Uncle Robert to sing Happy Birthday to Pa and blow the candles out on his cracker "cake".  Pa told the kids to save one for him and Lalon promised that we would.  They were eating dinner, so we kept it short and got back to our snacks before they got too cold!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PA - We LOVE You!!

The kids got a quick ride around the farm with Pa Pa!

Sweet Ella sharing her pacifier with Uncle Robert

and now sharing her pig

Brian took all the kids out to fly a kite - perfect weather for it!

Anna is a kite flying rock star!

on Pa's birthday after our FaceTime, enjoying Pa's favorite snack

I believe Ava James and Lalon must have spent the day doing their hair... who's in charge of these girls?!?!

Pa post pizza party!

the Birthday Guy!

Lalon's super excited for cake and ice cream!

Family Fun

The Hargroves came up to stay the weekend and the weather was so great on Sunday, we spent a lot of time outside.  Of course, the bouncy house came out and the kids were having fun... then suddenly, the dads were having fun, then the kids were crying.  That's because the dads accidentally broke the bounce house by running at full speed to see if they could clear the top and land inside like Olympians.  Needless to say, they have a few more years of practice before making the Olympic trials!  A fun weekend all around - it's always a fun time when we're with family!

North Carolina comes to life...

... at the unforgettable fair!

When I was little there was a song about the fair and that was the 'catch phrase' if you will.  I still sing it when it's fair time around here.

We weighed the kids in (a Naylor family tradition) and here are their stats - I'm thinking maybe the machine was off just a tiny bit because Naylor wasn't this big earlier in the week.  Although, he was wearing his big Carhartt coat and his John Deere boots, so maybe...

Naylor: 30.8 lbs
Lalon 28.0 lbs
Whitley Ann 19.6 lbs

Mmmmm beef jerkey.

Brian's family arrived this morning and Pat brought with him the dehydrator we gave him for Christmas.  I'm not sure who was more excited about this, Brian or Pat, but let's just say they were both excited!!

They headed out just after dinner to get the supplies so that the meat could marinate overnight then we dehydrate the next evening.  We all agreed we should do some samplings before doing it all one way; it's quite possible they got carried away with that part...

They picked up a beef brisket and another piece, maybe a loin (?) and Brian started the slicing.  Pat was on the other side mixing up the marinade and then we set up the sample bags of Texas Pete, Cholula and Texas Pete Chipotle.

 

After doing those, I think the consensus was that the original TX Pete and Cholula were the best.  Then they got fancy and did some General Tsao's and two REALLY hot, hot sauces named Tongue and Fire.  In my personal opinion, I still vote for Pat's original TX Pete recipe and the Cholula!

The guys had an awesome time making it up and it was fun to see the process all the way through.