indiana state fair – 2014

Gallery posted on August 13, 2014August 13, 2014 by mommyinthemidwest

A look back: state fair (2013) | state fair (2011)

First things first, we have this tradition every year that we go to the state fair (we didn’t make it there in 2012 due to being in the middle of remodeling our newly purchased home). We take a photo inside a tractor tire. I love doing this – we have several photos that we take each year. I enjoy comparing year to year to see how the boys have grown and this is one of my favorites. Dexter hasn’t been too interested in participating with me so far. Maybe next year.

It’s wild to see the similarities and differences from year to year.

A pit stop at The Dairy Bar to grab a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. The boys had American on White while I enjoyed Pepper Jack on Sourdough.

Funhouse mirror fun:

Last year we were disappointed that we hadn’t planned ahead for the boys to see the Monster Truck show. We failed to plan for it again this year, but felt lucky when we discovered that it was taking place Sunday during our visit. The boys were extremely intrigued! They enjoyed it for a while but after about 45 minutes, Theo’d had enough of the loud engines and was begging to go. Ryan and I pouted a little and Dexter just goes with the flow so he didn’t protest. Wouldn’t you know, it wasn’t long before Mr. Grumpy Pants was passed out, fast asleep.

Since Theo kind of ruined the Monster Truck show for the rest of us, we rewarded Dexter’s good behavior by allowing him to choose a ride to ride. I was not planning to do any rides – I’m just not a fan of fair rides – I don’t trust them at all. So this was a big deal for me, letting him ride these darn boats!

Theo continued sleeping for a bit longer so he missed out on the meet n greet with this Dino. Dex was ALL ABOUT it until we got in line. Then he said “I want you to go with me, Mommy. I want you to hold me.” So I passed my camera off to Ryan and thank goodness I did… we were NOT expecting Dexter’s reaction when T-Rex roared and the lady pictured below tried to hand Dexter the dinosaur’s chain for our photo op. It was so funny and cute. He did get over it and smile towards the end of this brief interaction but those pictures weren’t as adorable. After about six and a half hours we wrapped up our day at the fair. Another Midwest annual tradition done and in the books!

xo,

~C~

the fourth: 2014

Posted on July 11, 2014July 31, 2014 by mommyinthemidwest

Huh, how about that. I guess I’ve never posted a 4th of July recap. Well, last year we were on a little weekend getaway for our 10th wedding anniversary but it wasn’t all festive with fireworks and that kind of crap.

So here’s my first real Independence Day recap. It was nice that the 4th was on a Friday which lent itself to a lovely, long weekend. Ryan’s parents live on a small lake that is perfect for relaxing, jumping off the dock, floating around, and taking pontoon boat rides. They invited us We invited ourselves to come and stay for the weekend. Ryan’s sister and her family were able to join us from Ohio as well.

Obligatory red, white, ‘n blue outfit pics.

I mean, could they be any sillier? No. Cuter? Never.

sillies Love them a lot.

They napped for HOURS every day.

Saturday was our 11 year anniversary so Nana and Pop Pop watched all three boys while Ryan and I enjoyed a rare double date with his sister and her soon-to-be husband. Dinner at FARMbloomington. farm

Their FARMfamous garlic fries. Oh. Wow. And their homemade chipotle catsup. Yes.

Our view from the “silo” table.

Neat sights at every turn in this one-of-a-kind restaurant.

Yep, even by the bathrooms.

Although it was a GORGEOUS night to walk around downtown Bloomington, which is lovely, we wanted to get back in time to enjoy the fireworks over the lake with the boys. Aunt ‘Chelle treated the boys with glow swords and glow bracelets –they may have been a bigger hit than the show.

After messing with my camera settings for five minutes before the actual show started, I gave up and put the camera down. I couldn’t figure it out and didn’t want to spoil the moment.

Sunday mornin’ cherry eating. Theo likes the “yellow cherries.”

Dexter prefers red.

There is a HUGE component of our weekend missing…. the LAKE and the sunshine that we were so lucky to enjoy all weekend. Seems like when we are all able to get together, we are cursed with cool temps or cloudy skies – or both. Not this time. Again, I chose to live in the moment and not take 500 pics. I had a drink in my hand and the sun on my skin and many long conversations with my sister-in-law. That was all I needed to make the weekend complete.

A few iPhone pics:

What’d you do for the Fourth?

xo,

~C~

the weekend was just what we needed

Posted on June 17, 2014August 1, 2014 by mommyinthemidwest

Life with a 3 and 4 year old, not to mention a house that needs (and is semi-in-the-process-of) remodeling inside and out is busy and hectic to say the least. I feel like we are going, going, going nonstop but not with anything particularly substantial. Ryan is working on the house and I’m trying to keep the boys busy and entertained. That’s the story of our life lately. It was really. REALLY. fun (and needed) to connect with each other as a family of four, all while reconnecting with some friends we hadn’t seen for far too long to live only 2 hours away.

We spent the weekend with Ryan’s friend from school and his family. They live in beautiful town with lakes all over the place. We’d only visited in the winter before and didn’t fully realize how lovely the surroundings were at the time. I think we’re both looking forward to the (warm) day when we can visit again.

Saturday morning started off with a walk to the playground and throwing rocks into a retention pond across from it. That’s just about all that kids need to be content.

Such a sweet family.

Look at these two cuties (4 & 2) and their beautiful eyes!

Taking a cruise around the lake on the pontoon boat.

Little mister was thisclose to falling asleep while mom drove us around.

A milestone! Theo and Dexter got their first rides on a jet ski. And they LOVED it. I love that they are afraid of almost nothing.

Sole bit of photographic evidence that I was actually present.

A long day winding down. Rides on the gator.

As we were loading up to head back to our friends’ house, I had to get back out of the car to snap this quick photo. Oh, to drive up to that view whenever we wanted…so gorgeous, peaceful, and relaxing there.

So when we planned this weekend with our friends, I don’t think any of us realized it was also Father’s Day weekend. In fact, I didn’t realize it until last Monday. That’s okay – I had time to throw together a book for Ryan with the boys help. Read their answers to my Father’s Day Q&A here. The book had the interviews, some recent photos, some artwork, and tickets to an upcoming pro soccer game. He was surprised, and I think pretty pleased!

Sleepy boy on the stairs.

After enjoying a Father’s Day Feast (I feel like we ate so much delicious food all weekend — like literally nonstop “all weekend”), we went to a nearby park and then a cute ice cream shop. The town has these lifelike bronze statues all around right now to promote a local community summer event, First Fridays. I wish I’d taken the time to walk around and photograph more of them.

Some great guys – and a great girl.

There was a little festival going on around the ice cream shop we visited so of course the kids had to play on the bounce houses for a few minutes before Ryan, me, and the boys headed back home.

It was such a great weekend…returning home to all the chores that failed to get done was a bit of a disappointment after feeling like we’d been catered to by the best hosts all weekend long. I think we might see how much rent they’d charge to let us just take over their basement…

xo,

~C~

mommy in the midwest

i live for summer

indiana state fair – 2014

the fourth: 2014

the weekend was just what we needed