The Puyallup Fair

This past weekend was the last weekend for The Puyallup Fair. I thought we were going to skate by it again this year without having to go.  The girls had asked a couple of times to go..but it was raining.  However,  this past weekend was so beautiful and their pathetic little faces were giving me mommy guilt so I told them we could go!!  One problem, I had a session with a family in Kirkland and Lauren had a soccer game so we would have to go later around 6:00.  Well....first mistake, leaving so late.  Second mistake, going on the last weekend on a Saturday night, third mistake..going on a really warm and sunny day!!  OMG..it was packed.  It took us 1 1/2 hours just to go about 1 mile to get into the parking lot of the fair.  Who knew people loved fairs so much!!

So by the time we entered through the entrance gate it was 8:30 at night.  Dark....getting colder and late.  But we trudged on....first thing we needed to do, get tickets for rides.  You know, those little pieces of paper that cost an arm and a leg so you can ride a ride for 30 seconds!  Even the ticket line was long..like 1/2 hour long.  After getting the tickets we headed over to grab a quick bite, the usual carnival fare..greasy fries, greasy burgers and elephant ears dripping in butter.  Oh I can feel a stomach ache coming on just writing this..LOL!

After eating we moved on to the carnival section because that was really what the girls were interested in. However, they did like looking at the 1000 lb. pumpkins.  They rode as many rides as $60 would allow...jumping up and down with excitement as they waited in line for each new attraction.  Hopping on the first seat available as soon as they were allowed, while Bart and I prayed that the whole ride did not fall apart.  Carnival rides make me nervous because you never really know how educated the person is that put that ride together.  You have all been to carnivals...I know you know what I am talking about.  Fairs bring out the most unusual people!!!  So here are some shots of the night...don't judge the photography...it is not perfect...it was late, dark and I just wanted to get some shots of the girls enjoying their night because they may not have another fair night for a few years..LOL!!

 Patiently waiting for their turn on the "Mad Mouse"!

 See that blur going by...yep, they are in there....having the time of their life.

Just a little Starbucks and sunflare!

I am taking a business workshop right now and since we are all photographers, Kristin, our instructor decided to do a little photo challenge mid week.  The lessons are not your typical photography class lessons were you practice your skills and then post for critique. Instead it is about numbers and taxes and fees and all the boring stuff that goes along with running a business!!  So we were asked to post a picture that "tells me all about YOU. No words, no explanation. Just a picture that I can look at and learn about you".  I asked the girls what they thought I should take a shot of.  They said my computer...because that is all I do!!  LOL..nice!!   OK..so that was boring, I told them.  So, we said we would think about it later and instead we went to Starbucks...and then, right then, I had my idea.  I love my Starbucks Tea and Top Pot Doughnuts...so there..that tells two things about me!! Assignment done!!

Soccer, Silly kids and spiders.....

First Soccer.....Well, Lauren has had two soccer games now and she is really enjoying it.  Her very first game was a bit of a shock to her though.  She had never played a team sport before. Sure, she had done ice skating, dance and gymnastics...but they were all dependent on her doing her own thing.  Not soccer.  When she got to her first game she was beyond excited...until the game started.  Then she almost had a panic attack.  She was so overwhelmed by all the players running around and people stealing the ball from others.  At practice they had just worked on kicking the ball, so I guess she did not realize all that went into a full soccer game! So she immediately burst into tears and said there was no way she could ever play in a game.  She was confused and didn't even know what she was doing.  Poor thing.  So she sat out and watched her team mates run back and forth kicking the ball in every direction possible.  But after about 20 minutes she mustered up the courage to give it a try.  I was so proud of her.  She went out there and kicked the ball every time it came to her..but was still very timid to get in there and steal it.  But that was OK!!  Then this weekend, she did even better.  She went right in at the beginning of the game and actually was a little more aggressive! Yay!!  The best part was seeing the HUGE smile on her face after she kicked the ball halfway down the field.  She was so proud of herself!! 

Next silly kids...this is Cash.  He went with me to the soccer game.  While I was taking pictures of Lauren he got right in front of my lens and told me to take a picture of him! LOL, that is why he is so close!  Then we have Anna swinging in the backyard.  On the second shot, Lauren is behind her trying to make her laugh by tickling her! :)

Now for the spiders.  Why are there so many spiders out.  OMG..they are everywhere.  It is starting to creep me out!!!  But they do make for cool pictures!!

She's baaaaaaaaack!!!

I started watching Anna again! I watched her for a few days each week last year when she was a baby.  Her momma is a teacher so I had the summer off...but with the start of school, the little peanut gets to come back and hang out with me 2 days a week!!  She is a bit busier this time as she now walks and is starting to talk and loves to get into things!  Her favorite time of the day is when we go get the girls.  She adores the girls and they adore her! A bonus of having her is using her for practicing!!  With these shots I was able to play around....I shot wide open at an aperture of 1.8 for all of them...just for fun!

One week down...

Well the first week of school is done!  The kids are all settled in and enjoying their new year!  Now it is my time to get all caught up!  This will be my time to re-organize my computer.  It is a mess. there are files and pictures all over the place.  My desktop has so many icons on it, I can not add any  more.....my pictures need to be backed up and filed away on my external hard drives.  This will be my time to edit my past 3 sessions plus the newborns I will be photographing today and on Tuesday. This will be my time to add all our fun vacations and summer doings to the blog.  But most of all this will be my time to enjoy my peace and quiet, but only until 3:30 when my two kids come storming in demanding snacks and drinks and popsicles and playdates....when they need  papers to be signed, help on homework and all of their many other wants and needs! :)

And they are off....

Their first day of second and fifth grade!!  I am so happy to have them back in school, but so sad knowing this is Emma's last year in elementary school.  She is growing up so fast.  I will probably say this all year...her last fall carnival, her last book order, her last this, her last that.....crazy how fast time flies!! So here they are, rain and all...

Camping at Deception Pass

Last year Ryan and Renee invited us to go camping at Fort Flagler.  I agreed thinking it would be hot and sunny and so much fun.  Well, it was fun, but it rained the entire time, not so fun.  Right there I vowed to never camp again in Western Washington. Renee assured me that it is always sunny when they camp over Labor Day weekend and that it must have been a fluke! So this year they invited us to join them camping again!!  Again, I agreed hoping that it would be hot and sunny since it was still summer! This time we would head over to Deception Pass.  Things started out looking good on the first day.  The sun was out, the kids  got to swim and ride bikes.  We had a great salmon dinner brought by the Mintzers, yum!!  The smores were made and devoured by 6 crazy kids and the adults enjoyed their drinks and conversation.  But as the night progressed..things started to fall apart..LOL! Holly had asked me to walk with her to the restrooms.  Sure, I said. As we were walking we passed the campsite that butted up to the back of us.  It was an interesting sight.  The park rangers were visiting them and I noticed some of them were in handcuffs.  I mentioned this to Holly, but she was rambling on about who knows what!  On our walk back, she was paying more attention.  At this point there were park rangers and police officers surrounding the area, and they had about 6 people who were handcuffed and sitting in a row along the picnic table.  The cops were demanding to know where all the weapons were.  Hmmm...this is not good, I think.  So Holly and I pick up our pace and Holly goes rushing in to tell our campsite about the situation a few campsites down.  Now let's remember, Holly has had her share of wine....so she goes running into the campsite with her arms flailing and trips over a huge rock that is about 2 feet high, flies into the table that has the camp stove, teapot, pans...you name it.  Everything, including Holly, goes crashing to the ground, LOUDLY!!  Our entire campsite bursts into spontaneous laughter until they realize Holly could be hurt, which thankfully she was not!! She was a good sport and joined in with the laughter too, but only after we were assured by the police that we were in no harms way.  So unbelievable..trying to camp and the people next door have a bunch of 9 millimeters! SCARY! Anyways, after all the excitement, we went to bed and the next morning, my back hurt so incredibly bad, I convinced Bart we should go home.  I had tweaked it the week before going down the water slides in Chelan!  Uggg....the girls were so sad to have to leave.  However, the were actually pretty happy when we heard from the Swanson's that they had woke up to rain, packed all their soaking wet stuff and headed out by 8:30 in the morning!! Will I go camping next year...we will have to see!! LOL!!

Packed in like sardines...see the rock above, very similar to the one Holly flew over!!

Just a few macro shots from around the campsite! :)