A Day at the Great Minnesota Get Together {Part One}

My husband and I have not been to the State Fair for over a decade I believe.  We have been doing all we could to avoid it.  Each year the children participate in our county library summer reading program.  And each year the final "grand" prize has been a choice of State Fair tickets or a bag with a beanie in it.  Well, we have always persuaded them to opt for the bag with the beanie in it.  Until this year.  We caved.  I was not so sure if I was excited for this day to come.  First of all,  it means the end of summer!  Secondly, it means we were not going to be reminded a million times that we had free tickets.  Thirdly, the forecast for today was to be over 100 degrees.  {Thankfully, it didn't end up being that hot}  I have lots of photos from our day and figured I would do them in sections.  So here is part one of who knows how many parts.

Upon arriving, I so needed to use the potty. {Had to drink 2 glasses of water after taking my morning vitamins}  At that moment I was quickly reminded of one of my least favorite things to do!  Use a Port-a Potty. {have these two words been given the privilege of being capitalized??  Not sure, but I will}  These lined the parking lot right off the bus stop area.  Just had to use them because I had no idea {since I hadn't been to the fair in 10 years} how close or how far away a "normal" bathroom would be.  So happens they were right where we entered.  Go figure!

We are not the rides type, but this seemed to have drawn us in.  The chance to feel like we were living on the wild side for a moment!  I wasn't so sure since this needle was so high I almost fell over looking up at it.  I have seemed to have been obliged with the privilege of taking on the fear of heights.  My boys know this and asked if I would want to go up with them.  They both said they understood if I didn't, but would love to have me go with them.  I wasn't so sure.  Until I made the comment that I would just wait patiently at the bottom with Estelle while they went up.  I was not sure I would be able to do it.  Instantly I was reminded by Leighton that all I needed to do was trust in God.  It's in his hands.  {They do listen when I am trying to teach them something!}  This is something that I remind them of whenever they are scared of something....most often it's Leighton being afraid to go to sleep.  So I went!

Yup, it's a tall thing!

So while walking in....Ethan started to second guess his choice!  He didn't want to show it though, so he just kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to go up in the needle. 

A step in conquering my fear of heights!  {with my children}

Riders Must Keep Feet on Floor.....our feet reflection.....second guessing my decision!

Not so bad!  Come on boys!  Relax!

Estelle loved the view!  She sat so well and was quiet the whole time.  While Ethan was showing a bit of the "uh oh's"!

Our view.

OK...at the top and Mom is not so relaxed!!  Definitely our Christmas card for this year!!

Feet back on the ground, we survived!!!  I have to say it was fun!