The Circus

We went to the Circus!***********The circus has a bit of sentimental value to both Taylor and I. Sounds silly I know but exactly 6 years ago Taylor met the girls for the very first time when he took us to the circus. We'd been dating for a few months and had decided we were serious enough to introduce him to the two of them. They were only one and four then. I remember being so impressed at how easily they both took to him and how easily he took to them. On the way out Megan sat happily on his shoulders while Ali pulled on his hands and shirt for his undivided attention. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to find such a man. ************

We went early so we could get in on the 'pre-show' fun. First we got to go behind the scenes and see where they keep the animals while they are on tour.

The elephants were cool, and when one started to pee an employee quickly shoved a large bucket underneath it. Mattie pointed and loudly proclaimed "its going on the potty!!"

After seeing the animals we went inside to get autographs from the clowns and to watch the pre-show clown college.
we got to watch the elephants paint pictures, the clowns do tricks, dogs jumping through hoops, and ponies doing tricks. All from a few feet away.

It was a good thing too because our actual seats were in the nose bleed section.

all in all a Very good time. we made it through the entire thing.

The kids loved it.

Mattie's 3rd Birthday

My baby turned three this past week. I can't believe it.

For weeks he told everyone "My birfdays comin up".

He was so excited.

As people arrived he told them proudly "It's My Birfday!" .

After hot dogs and Delicious potato salad, we held sack races for the kids.
Did I say for the kids? (Taylor is still a kid at heart)

The cake (**which is a funny story actually**)

And then the Pinata

**I asked Taylor to order the cake last week while he was at Target. When we went to pick it up we were both a little shocked when the Baker handed us the biggest cake I'd ever seen with a price tag of $49.99. I looked at the slip that they had used to order it and when I asked Taylor he said that they asked him if he wanted a 'full sheet' and he thought that just meant a normal size cake. He didn't realize that a normal size cake is usually 1/4 sheet. So we both had a heart attack as we paid for it, and needless to say we STILL have cake left over. I actually froze some of it.*********

LAGOON!

Ali was SUPER excited about getting the old time photo's done. I think she had something specific in mind because she Wasn't as excited when I told her she couldn't dress up as a saloon girl. She was so bummed about it she wouldn't even wear a hat! I'm such a mean mommy! I thought they turned out great though.

Mattie looked SO stinking cute in his little uniform! I photo shopped him out on one of the pictures because I just love his little cheekies..

That sword was pretty heavy, and he was holding it so well.

Lagoon..................

Family day out.... We decided to take a trip to Lagoon. It was an expensive but totally worth it day. The weather was perfect and we all had SO much fun.

The Giant Ferris Wheel.. Great View
For lunch we went back to the van for our yummy sandwiches and goodies.
Mathew LOVED driving the car

"Hi Mommy!" I LOVE his little wave.

Waiting for sisters to get off the Rock-0-plane
I promised Meg I'd go on the Colossus with her. we trades off and Taylor and Ali went after Meg and I.

Ali insisted on playing the "guess it" game and won this hideous tie.
Meg insisted on waiting for the spider to spray her.

Here we are about to ride my LEAST favorite ride in the whole park. The Mouse! Ahhhh
Mattie and I watched as the girls and Taylor went on the cliffhanger. I was laughing SO hard at their facial expressions as they were getting hit with water. It's really too bad you can't see their faces in these pictures well.

Megan's first time on the Jet star. She hasn't ever made it on because of her height. She wore her tall tennis shoes and Made it on.. she rode it twice!

We all got to ride the one below but it took forever for them to get the girls off. Mattie didn't like this ride too much, it scared him.

Taylor worked at Lagoon years ago in the "animal department" as a zoo keeper. He ran into one of the guys he used to work with who happens to now be a manager over one of the big departments. He offered to get us on the Sky coaster for free. I couldn't believe the kids were game!

Here they are gearing up.

Megan's checking it out...
All strapped in.... And UP they go!.....................It was Ali's job to pull the cord.. She said it was easy.
Mattie and I watched as they FLEW over our heads!!
I waited expecting to hear high pitched girl screams, but I think they were holding their breaths...

They LOVED it. I'm so glad they got to experience it.
More rides........

We ended our 9 hour day on Rattle snake rappids where we were ALL drenched. I was so glad to have packed dry clothes for the kids ride home.