Bubba and SBG: August 2007

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Date Night Plus One

We had a great night tonight minus our sleeping babe. A family outing to the local minor league baseball team at Veterans Stadium. Bubba and Daddy have been 3 or 4 times already but this time Mommy got to tag along. Bubba quickly showed me the ropes aka the various treat options which for him included a bucket of popcorn, a slushie lemonade, and then after bouncing around in one of those blow up jumping things - finally a chocolate chip cookie.

A family photo taken by the kind gentleman sitting in front of us.

Bubba informed me that the night would not be complete without a trip to visit in old tanks (since it is called Veterans Memorial Stadium). I asked Bubba if he knew what the tanks were for he said "for the men to fight for our freedom". I could have cried. My sweet husband has been taking him to see the tanks after each game they've come to this summer and has been instilling in him the importance of fighting for our country, freedom and sacrifice. And most importantly it's sticking in that big brain!

Making the Most of the Last Pool Days

Our kind friend Mary invited us to indulge at the country club pool on Monday since all of the public pools are closed already. We were the only ones using the baby pool. Bubba loved having it and all the toys to himself.
I'm sure the love my kids have for the pool must be genetic since it's my favorite thing now and my favorite memory from summers growing up. I was very nostalgic thinking of all the hours I spent with my mom, sisters and friends here.
Having underwater tea parties, Marco Polo in the deep end, swim team, and my stint as a synchronized swimmer. How I want all of those great memories for my kids!

SBG loved floating and splashing!

Preparing for opening his restaurant

A shot from the end of the afternoon - Bubba's tired face reminded me so much of a certain aunt at this age :)

Sweet Boys

Two funny things from the past week or so.

Sometimes after we cuddle, read, pray, sing, hug, & kiss Bubba - He & his Daddy have some things to chat about. After a long day sometimes Daddy is tired so he lays on Bubba's new bed (put in his room last September but he's still not interested in sleeping in it) as they talk. On this particular night it had been about 15 minutes and Thad still hadn't appeared so I went to check on them and this is what I found.
The flash and the camera noise didn't even wake them.

Next we have Bubba spitting at geese at the park. Why the spitting you ask? Well it seems a certain Papa told him that's what the geese do. If you've ever been around geese you know how they get mad and make that "furr ball" noise with their mouth open. "Mom that's just spitting." says my sweet boy so he mom won't be scared as a herd heads our way at the site of Bubba's Panera bag (leftover bagel for the ducks).

Grandpa Jack Pershing Merritt

Thad's grandpa Jack passed away and the funeral was last Tuesday. There was a great video tribute to him and his life. It was sad to lose someone who meant to much to Thad but such a blessing to know he is in heaven with Thad's Grandma, Berneta, his wife of 65 years. She passed away June 14 and he on August 14 so they only were apart 2 months. Here they are together this winter.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

A couple more I couldn't resist including

Who needs sand when you can play and dig to your hearts content in corn kernels? While the adults relaxed in the shade, Bubba had a blast playing in the big "corn box" in the 4H area of the barns.

When SBG woke up from her nap in the barns, she enjoyed lunch and her new favorite - string cheese.

Nanny and Papa also enjoyed the barns. It was a great photo spot for Nanny because she didn't have to worry about her neck :) Oh Nanny!

Friday, August 17, 2007

A Day at the State Fair

For the past few summers when Katie and her kids are here my parents have taken us all to ADVENTURELAND. This year the Murray's social calendar was a bit full during their visit so Nanny & Papa said they would take us sometime in August. Well, as our decided date approached Nanny said we could have the choice of doing Adventureland or the State Fair. We hadn't been to the fair since the summer that Bubba was 1 so we decided it was alright to alter the Adventureland tradition and introduce him to THEE FAIR!

All piled in and ready to go!

We arrived safe and sound. After paying $5 to 4 little kids who directed us to the parking lot they had established in their backyard about a block from the gate, we strolled in. (We figured $20 a day for 10 days of the fair - they will definitely be getting some cute school clothes.)

Ride #1 - The Olde Mill

Ride #2 - The Spinning Dragons

Ride #3 -Midway Motorcyle Man

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4665839688342142273

Well here's the first 1/2 hour of the Fair in a nutshell. More to come.

State Fair Part 2

Views from the sky ride

The prize at the end of the sky ride - "A Caterpillar with CRAWLER TRACKS!"

State Fair Part 3 - the Animals

Finally we made it to the BARNS

A really big horse called a PERCHURAN

In the Cattle Barn - a shout out to our Arizona Blog readers - notice the origin of the Barzona calf

Hello Mr. Ostrich

The goats were Bubba's favorites.

Click on the link for a brief barn tour by Bubba.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8213746379739915249

Papa got a little tired in the barns so he "borrowed" someone's chair for a brief respite :) For all of you non-State-Fair-Attenders, let me explain that the 4H kids and sometimes their families take up residence in the barns right beside their animals during the fair. So amidst the stalls there are airmattresses, coolers, an occasional microwave, folding chairs, etc. It appears a 4H Dad (near & dear to my own Dad's heart) took his packing for the fair to the extreme this year :)

SBG got a little tired in the barns too.

Finally Heading for the Exit Gate

But first a stop at the DEEP FRIED DESSERT stand. My friend Kelley told me I had to try one. You too may be thinking of the usually flour, spices, water mixture for deep frying but not for something sweet. These delectable treats were dipped in a pancake batter and then deep fried. I had a DEEP FRIED SNICKERS and it was fantabulous!! I can't wait for next year.

Captain Helicopter needed one more ride courtesy of Ticketmaster Nanny http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3723144789474121897

Then a brief glimpse of a presidential hopeful (let's play name that bald headed man who has not yet declared as a Republican candidate).

God gave us the best weather day for the fair. It had been a long time since I got to spend a whole day with my parents which made for great car conversations and a great day together. Thanks Nanny and Papa for coming with us to the Best Fair in America!