The Great Darke County Fair

Summer would not be complete and school could not start with out the annual trip to the Great Darke County Fair. Shawn and I grew up in Darke County and to me there is no other fair!! We were spoiled growing up to have such a large fair with a great focus on 4-H & agriculture. Plus the amazing amount of food! The Dayton news did a spot on the fair and I saw it while I was home. It said there was over 100 food vendors at the 185 acre fairgrounds. I walked the whole thing, multiple times! That includes the parking lots. Shea seemed to think we parked on the other side of the world. Thank goodness for the tractor that comes along and you take a seat on the bench it pulls. Both kids really liked that ride. I never realized how good I had it as a child until I grew up and ventured to other county fairs. While some have been really nice, none quiet compare. I'm not just saying this since it's my "home fair", people come from all over to attend this fair. This was Will's first year. He liked it, until he got sick and was unable to attend any more days while we were there. I was not feeling well but still managed to eat my fair food and take Shea around to the good spots. Bowmen's tenderloins, fudge in the coliseum, strawberry lemonade mixes, harness racing, games, rides, animals...We packed it all in!

Mom and Dad let the kids play a couple of games. Shea was thrilled! Will did well with the guaranteed winner, the duck game. Shea also did the bungy bouncy thing, for lack of a better way to explain it. Shawn's parents took her around to all the animals. She even got to see the cows being milked and there were lots of questions about that! I avoid the barns at all costs, too much sneezing for me! We took a few hours one day to let Shea ride all the rides. That was fun, I did the bumper cars with her. Ahh...the old memories there. Aunt Linda got tapped to go on the big ship with her. They both loved it. It was a lot of fun to run into and catch up with old friends, that is a tradition at the fair.

The duck game!

Will being goofy waiting on Shea to be done jumping.

Aunt Linda and Shea on the Ship ride.

Shawn was in Texas for a few days so he missed the fair this year. We were telling her that she was old enough to try the cane game. This game has been in the same spot at the fair for over 100 years. We used to run to this game as a kid, it was the cool thing to walk around with one. Shea tried a couple of times and we finally won two canes. Afterward she looked at me with this puzzled look...

"Mamma, what do I do with this thing now"?

"Well Shea, you walk around with it. You don't hit, poke, or trip other's with your cane".

"Oh". "I feel like an old person with a cane", says Shea.

Little does she know, I told her the rules of what not to do with them from experience. I'm sure one day she will be doing those same things with the cane at the fair. Until then, it's just a cane.




Last year at the fair my Mom took Shea to win a gold fish, and Goldie was "born". We still have her and this year Shea decided that she needed a friend. I told her that we were leaving on Wednesday and I would make sure we got one then. That is the only thing she wanted to do that day, she was tired and wore out. I took her to the fair, to the spot she won Goldie. After 28 balls and $3.00 later there was no fish and melt down mode had approached. Fountain of tears. I assured her we were not leaving the fairgrounds with out a fish in hand. I said, there is another place on the way out. We finished up with the other last minute things to do. We went to the other booth, put our $2.00 down for the 20 balls. I said, "this is it, we'll do it". After a few attempts she asked me to throw one...WINNER, we got a fish. Whew...we can go home. Nope! Shea had more balls to finish throwing... WINNER, we got a fish....That is two now! Goldie was fish-mates, Spot and Sara. They are all getting along nicely.

Shea, Spot & Sara.

The kids, Chief and I were all tired by the time we got home Wednesday night. Fair is over and now school can start. Sad... I hate it when summer winds down. It is my favorite time of the year.

Thank goodness we're home!

Fun Shots

We had a really nice evening a couple of weeks ago. We were outside waiting on Shawn to come home from work and the light was good. I thought I would get the camera out and play with the kids in the garden. All was going well until Will decided that he'd rather eat the mulch, dive into the fish pond or anything other than sit nicely for a photo. This first picture took a few shots before all were looking at the camera. Don't they just look thrilled??!

Will, Shea & Chief

After that picture Will was done. Chief decided he wanted no part of "the kid". He laid down nicely by the door and waited...paitently...for us to finish. While I was positioning Shea in different areas of the garden, I looked up and saw our Chief. He was so cute. Don't you agree?




My snapdragons that grew to an enormous heights this year started to bloom. I was beginning to wonder if I had bought duds. Nope...just late bloomers! They are gorgeous. I need to take a photo of them this weekend, there are more colors out now. I am enjoying their beauty.

Shea posing so nicely!!

They put up with me and my photo session. No fear...I'll do it again!!!

"The Sky" by Shea

Tonight was a normal night around here. Shawn is coming home really late, thus I was outside entertaining the kids. They love to ride around in the Barbie jeep. Today has been a weird weather day. It would be sun shining and hot one minute and raining the next. It does make for nice clouds to look at. While driving around in the Jeep tonight Shea asked for my camera. I usually let her borrow it with strict instructions to be careful with it!!! She has a pretty good photographer's eye for a five year old.

Here are the kids riding around.

Behold...The sky photos by Shea!!!!

Shea was very proud of herself for taking these and I of course ooohed and aahhhed over them. With great excitement she asked me if I would post them to the blog. OF COURSE! Was my response, I knew you all would enjoy them as much as I do. Thanks, Shea!

Swimming Lessons

Once again this summer our friend, Mrs. Colleen, was kind enough to give the kids swimming lessons. This year she broke it up into two classes, older kids who had the basics of swimming down and then younger kids who were still learning the basics. Shea was in the older class and she did well!! By the end of the summer all of her strokes have improved from where we started. She has the kneeling dive down pat! Time to start standing up! Last week was our last lesson of the year due to school starting soon. Will ventured into the pool this summer too. Actually, last week he tried to go in head first! Arg. Talk about scaring his Mother. We've been practicing everything feet first since then. Colleen even had him go under water with her, he did great! I guess he'll be joining his sister as a fish in the water and soon.

Here is Will being goofy with the goggles.

Our Shea girl swimming like a fish.

As a fun thing to do, Colleen had them line up into two lines and do a relay race. This was the first time they'd done this and all the kids did well. Jake can really swim, his skills are probably the most improved of the summer.

The kids lined-up and ready to GO!

Shea's turn to jump in. Go Shea!!!



Showing off her back float.

Colleen and Will. They are both too cute!

Thanks again this year to the Wolford family for opening up their home and pool to all of us this summer. All the kids really like their lessons. Shea is already asking to take them again next summer. We hope that you have had lots of swimming fun this year too.

Class Reunion

Saturday, August 15, 2009 our class celebrated our fifteen year reunion!!! It was so much FUN to see old classmates. Some of them we keep in touch with via email, phone or the Darke County Fair! You laugh but seems every year you see someone to catch up with at fair time. Others Shawn and I had not seen since graduation. Out of seventy-two people in our graduating class a large number showed up. We were booted out of the Eagles at 10 p.m. but no fear, the party did not end! We went to a bar in Greenville and continued to catch up. Even though Shawn had a bit too much alcohol he remembers everything! We are going to have a twenty year and I already am anticipating it!

Our class photo in 2009! We look good!!

We had friends from near and far journey their way back to Darke County for our gathering. It was so nice. Here is Shawn with he and I's long time friend, Corvin, who currently resides in FL and our other friend, Jason and his girlfriend and he is in IN.

Shawn, Corvin, Jason and friend.

Here is Robbie and I! We've gotten each other into and out of trouble for too many years to count. The nice thing about getting together again is to see that we all still have SO MUCH fun together. Some folks haven't changed and that's good!

Rob and I. Not comparing bellies this year!!

Corvin and Dallas, wonder what they are conspiring about?!



The sunset is gorgeous but so are...Chad, Justin and Shawn.

I'd get to talking with folks and I would forget to take pictures. I really wish I'd have taken more. Next time I will!!! Thanks to all who planned this great night.

Dale Hollow

We had a FANTASTIC, fun, relaxing, great time in Dale Hollow!! We had not had a vacation in two years, we were really looking forward to this trip. To us, this is heaven on earth. Mom and Dad went with us for a week of boating, floating, drinking (any beverage you want) and fun! This year our group grew. We had 45 people and numerous dogs in the group. It's fun to all hang out together in a cove and then each boat goes out and does something. If you want to hop on, you are welcome too. We met new friends this year and hope to see them come again. Here are a few pics that highlight our trip. I'll post more in-depth ones this week. I need to get some off of Mom's camera. They have had a cooler than normal and rainy summer. The water was up about 10 feet from normal and the water. Well...it wasn't its normal 80 degrees.

Our boat and family. Thanks Corinne for taking it!

Dad was thrilled that he could still ski and do his "tricks". Mom isn't all that thrilled with some of them but hey...he still does them!



Shawn tried almost every water sport our group does this year. Here he is out on Ames' boat bare footing off of the boom. He, John Neal and Jen Ho tried it. I just took the pics! Shawn has a major bruise from this.

Oh yes, he even had to show off on the knee board. Backwards view for him.

One day it rained in the morning. After it cleared up we all decided it was a great day for Cliff jumping. Of course, the cops do not recommend this. Did that stop anyone? No! Shea LOVED it! She and Shawn kept climbing up and jumping. I did attempt it. I climbed up there, saw the height and froze. For almost 10 min. At one point Shea asked if I was going to be alright. Sure... This one deserves its own post, look for more soon.

We had to bribe Shea but she finally put on the new skis that Shawn and I had gotten her at Christmas. She did admit that she likes it and will do it again. We were all SO proud of her!!

Will did well for being 10 1/2 months old and on a boat for a week. He can not stand his life jacket. While the boat was moving, he had it on but when we were anchored it was easier to let him play in the boat with out it on...I know... I know... not a good idea but hey, did you want to hear him scream??? At the end of the week the water was a bit warmer and he swam.

I was able to enjoy a Christmas present from two years ago that Shawn gave me. He had gotten me a new knee board. Then the next month we found out I was pregnant with Will. I was surprised, I am able to get up on it just fine, smooth ride. I'm liking it!!! Next, I'll try venturing outside of the wake!!!

One afternoon Dad skied from Kyle Branch to Mitchell Creek, approx 3 miles. He was so proud of himself that he could still "do it!!" On the way back, Shawn said that he couldn't be out done by his father in law. He skied the whole way back. Along the way he attempted some of his FIL's tricks. Not always a wise decision!!

Here is Shawn on a slalom ski and yes, he is waving as Shea took the photo!!!

Surfing behind Bart and Connie's boat!!! He went a long way. I would have taken more but Will was on my lap and he was content!

This is a great picture to pull back out in February when it's darn cold here. It's sunset in Kyle Branch... A beautiful site!

I have many more photos to go through. Keep an eye out this week!!!