County fair time!

Last week was Deschutes County Fair time and, although it's not as good as the Siskiyou County Fair, we can't miss it. It was Will's first fair on the outside, which I must say I prefer as last year I was very pregnant and not loving the 90+ degree heat combined with the smell of livestock. We made the full tour this year--including the fair rides. It didn't even occur to me that Kate may want to do these, so we'd already been at the fair a couple hours before she saw them and said, "What are THOSE?" as if we'd been keeping an enormous secret from her. She went on two different ones, which I think was a good enough introduction for a just three-year-old. But we better start saving now because I'm sure next year we'll be forking over quite a bit for ride tickets!

Kate's first roller coaster! It was short, but pretty fast and jarring (as carnie rides usually are...). She wasn't too sure about it, but she didn't cry or try to get off. She keeps talking about it and saying, "I KIND of liked it but I kind of didn't. Next time, I want to do all the rest of the rides and see if there's any better ones!" Great, here we go with the fair rides (not mommy's favorite!!)

Kate's first fair ride: a nice, slow canoe.

One year later and the tractor/backhoe/all that other farming stuff is still the biggest hit. Now Kate AND Will seem obsessed. We spent a good half hour just at this display and we still had to drag them away.

Will really likes to point and while he points he makes excited noises like he's really saying something fascinating. Now, if only we could understand him we'd all be happy!

Pony rides!