Fair Fun

A couple weeks ago we made our annual trek up to the Valley for several days of fun and relaxation before school starts. We stayed with Charlie and Kristen and my mom and dad came up too. On Friday we spent the day at the Alaska State Fair enjoying the sights and sounds of the fair. The highlights of the fair are the food and the rides! We love eating the fresh corn-on-the-cob, fried cheese curds, pork sandwiches, corn dogs, gyros, kettle corn, and on and on it goes! Something about all that yummy food at the fair...we sure do enjoy it!

While we were letting our food settle we wandered around looking at the many shops and booths, not buying much of anything since most everything is a little out of our price range, but we enjoy just looking and admiring.

The other main event for our kids are the rides...we can't go to the fair without getting the thrill of flying through the air on hang gliders, or swinging around and upside down on the latest ride the Apollo. And then of course there is always the fair traditions of riding on the Ferris wheel, and we remind the kids of our story of getting engaged at the top of the Ferris wheel! Such fun memories! This year Grandpa rode the Ferris wheel with Kailee and Alyssum.

Another main event at the Fair this year was the unveiling of the Alaska quarter which happened to fall on the day that we chose to go to the Fair. (it was not planned) The kids got to sit right up front during the speeches of important dignitaries and officials. Sarah Palin was supposed to be in attendance for the ceremony, but Friday was the day that John McCain chose her as his VP running mate so needless to say she couldn't make it! Even though Sarah Palin was not there it was quite the party atmosphere with lots of cheering. (McCain/Palin t-shirts were readily available to purchase hot off the press.) After the speeches the new quarters were handed out to all the kids in attendance. We are now the proud owners of shiny new Alaska quarters.

We ended our day at the Fair with staying until 10pm to watch the fire works show. The kids were tired after the long day on their feet, but we all had so much fun and it was well worth it.

Saturday we woke to sunshine, which has made a rare appearance this summer, so we decided to go ahead with our plans of hiking the Butte in Palmer. I was thinking, oh a little hike with the kids...not to be...it was a 1.5 mile hike up the side of the Butte. It wasn't a terrible climb, but certainly not just a Sunday afternoon stroll! But the hike was well worth it as the view over the Valley when we reached the top was breathtaking! We took this family photo on top of the Butte.We had a great weekend relaxing in the Valley, spending time with family, and picking up a few needed groceries at Costco(gotta get in that stop at Costco before heading home). Summer is over and now we are on to school...