A first for our Whole Family

Not only a first for our children, but a first for Paul and I as well. Paul and I from what we recall have never been to the state fair up until last week. When Alona received a free ticket to the state fair for her wonderful reading along with her coupon for a carnival ride and drink, it was decided upon that that would be our fun family activity for her birthday. The State Fair was set to debut from September 10-20 and Alona's birthday just happened to fall in between those dates. So we planned to go on the 16th, not on Alona's birthday. but a day that our whole family could attend, Wednesday our family day.
There was fishing, the catch and release kind outside of the wildlife building. Some volunteers talked to the children about fishing and other such stuff (I'd have to ask Paul he was the one listening with the children. I was just taking pictures and keeping an eye on the baby.) And after listening they got their individual kids fishing poles and went out to catch a fish. Abbi our little fisher was the child who caught her own fish and watched as the man cut it lose from her pole and released it back in to the water.
We saw a shark show, well some of it and were able to go up to the front and look at the sharks. That was a pretty awesome thing to have there.I was super excited to let the children go on the rides. We didn't make it out to Lagoon this year or any other events that had carnival rides. Spending money was set aside and they were each able to go on three rides. They each had ones that they wanted to go on. While Kacen went on a race car ride Alona went on a moving farm ride and Abbi the carousel. They all went on the moving hot air balloon together and all of them went on a swirling monster ride together as well.
We walked through the rabbit building, beef, cow, goat and sheep buildings as well. The Goats thought that Abbi was tasty and the sheep were wearing dresses (so that their wool coats wouldn't get messed up by wandering human touches). The cows and beef were smelly, what two buildings dedicated to them, well yes, one was for the beef and the other for the milking cow kind (we think).Alona got to pick her own fair treat, not so out of the ordinary. Just some sweet mouth dissolving cotton candy. She so sweetly shared with everyone. She also did a few activities that will help render her a patch for girl scouts. Now to remember to show her troop leader :)
We had a lot of fun and it was a great family activity.
And I am thinking Paul thought this place was neat. It ended up being on my camera, taken at the very end as we were leaving.