Florida State Fair '09

We went to the fair again this year with Dan's mom. It was a beautiful day...

Ali climbed all these stairs by herself (carrying her own mat) and slid down. This is when I realized she is indeed a 'big girl'.

I am careful not to teach my kids 'want', but one day I will have one of these tractors.

An albino Florida alligator. After asking Ali about it she just said he was really heavy and he didn't bite her. There is hope that my girly girly might be my nature girl too.

The real gator handlers.

My favorite place at the fair... Cracker Country. It is full of 100 year old buildings including a church, school, old train station, and homes. All original to Florida. Many of them have (in period dress) people giving tours and answering questions.

In the picture above, Ali is making a rope out of twine with a tool that was over 100 years old.

Here we are making candles the way pioneers did...except they used animal fat. But it was done in this same manner.

Cooling the candle in cold water to complete.

The gimmick this year at the fair was chocolate covered bacon. Mia was looking forward to this treat all day. She loved it. I did taste and will say that I like bacon and can tolerate most chocolate, but don't cover mine.

Last year they had fried Pepsi and the year before it was fried candy bars... no thanks.

Grammy spoiling her buddy... in a good way.

New born bear.

And if you remember Ginger and her brother Fred from last years post... then her she is again.

giraffe

kangaroo

Show dogs

hay