"The Fair is a Veritable Smorgasbord"

I can never go to a fair or carnival that I don't hear Templeton, the rat in Charlotte's Web, singing the song from the title of this post. I can just see him swirling and gorging himself on all of the popcorn and candy apples amidst all of the kaleidoscope of colors. You remember it, don't you? This weekend was no exception when our family attended the NC State Fair. It has been years since we have been. Jon and I went every year while I was in college in Raleigh. We always got a kick out of going and we have never taken our children until this year.

Jon's cousin, Heather and her husband, Dale met us there for a day of fun and visiting with family. We had a blast! It was great to see them and spend time with Dick Van Dyke and the kids (did I mention this was my name for my dear husband? He is always bringing stuff home for the children and they run to him like little Ricky or he is taking them to some type of carnival or arcade. I just sing in my head "doot, dadoota doota doota, da doota, da doota... No wonder they think he hung the moon)

First things, first. If you are northern, be prepared, the first sound you will hear while walking toward the fair is an extremely loud engine type sound. Do not be alarmed, welcome to NC. It is the sound of the tractor pull and if you don't want to pay to see it from the arena, you can always squeeze between two vendors and peek out over the fence from the top of the utility box. At least that it what I heard...

Dick Van Dyke and his sweet cousin Heather. They are a pair!

Let it not be said that I am a weenie. Check out who is in the back row..

Yes, I love my kids enough to let them ride this ride, but not without a proper escort. Heather and I weren't sure how we got so far in the air. I was just thankful that blasted ride did not flip over! Sheesh!

Uncle Dale..such a good sport. He rode the swings, took the kids to see two headed animals and even had a doozie of a time in the fun house. *Hut-hem* Dale, I won't tell them how you got lost in the glass house. I was feeling a bit clausterphobic just watching them navigate that maze. The kids think Dale and Heather are great..they are just grown up kids and a lot of fun!

You may have trouble trying to decide who was having more fun...

Jon, Dale and all of the children rode the bumper cars. I believe it was Wilson's first time, and he got the hang of it rather quickly.

Bumper Cars is just another form of therapy, some say. I wasn't sure until I saw this photo:

Okay, how many of you know Jon? Have you ever seen this much expression on his face? I LOVE IT! I just asked him why he was so intent and his answer, "I had just told Wilson I was coming to get him". There you have it. Now we know.

Where else can you see a tractor pull, buy honey fresh from the hive, see a 700 pound pumpkin and see every winner from every 4-h contest in the state all in one place? I like calling NC home.
Heather and Dale..(and Kim and Chuck) we had a blast. Lets do it again next year. Ya hear?