The Tulsa State Fair

 We're a little crazy.  Let's just get that over with now.  But when the Tulsa State Fair is in business, we are SO there, even if we have to travel 12 hours to get there and yours truly is 8 1/2 months pregnant.  There's something about this fair that beats all others - maybe it's the huge variety of deep-fried foods or the mere size of it or the rides or the sheep sheering shows or the pig races... or maybe it's the rotating, refrigerated 8 foot statue carved out of butter they display every year.  It's just all so entertaining.  Rex and I have gone to 3 other state fairs (Los Angeles, Seattle, and Castle Rock) and NONE have come close to the Tulsa State Fair.  We love it!

 

 

 

This year was extra fun since the kids are all getting bigger and were tall enough to ride the rides.  They loved being responsible enough to hold their ticket and give it to the carnie (used with the upmost respect) at the appropriate time.  (Although when Sam got impatient waiting in line, he gave his ticket to some random guy walking by thinking that since he was tall surely he would let him on the ride.)  We started with a ferris wheel ride (which in retrospect I probably shouldn't have ridden) and progressed to more and more spinny things. 

Sam doesn't handle centrifugal force very well and makes this funny face whenever he's spinning by holding completely still and looking out of the corner of his eyes until it's over. 

 

Rex and Aiden rode a "killer" dragon ride that ended up breaking down mid-ride for a good 20+ minutes.  The carnies had to push it back to the beginning and were so shocked when everyone wanted their money back. 

  

To calm things down the kids went on a "Fun Slide" on gunny bags.  Aiden, Austin, Kimber, and Sam were all going to race down together, but Aiden jumped the gun and took off all on his own. 

 

When the boys started getting tired and it was looking like rain outside, we went inside the livestock pavilions. 

 

After seeing all the cows and horses, we went back outside and Sam spotted the mechanical bull ride.  He would NOT be deterred until he had his turn riding it. 

 

We were a little nervous about the idea, but the guy running it said he'd make it as unscary for the little guy.  Sam took his bull-riding quite seriously and looked so little on it! 

 

When it was Aiden's turn, he was all smiles and laughs until he fell off.  Even then he tried getting back on even though his turn was over. 




And throughout all this was the FOOD.  We ate cotton candy, fried green tomatoes (my personal favorite), grilled corn on the cob (to die for!!), ginormous corn dogs, fried mushrooms, funnel cake, caramel apples, slushies, and a first for me this year.... FRIED BUTTER.  Yup, I ate a stick of butter that was battered and fried and topped with powdered sugar.  If that didn't send me in for a heart attack, I don't know what will.  Not sure if I'll do it again (it was good, don't get me wrong) but it was the principle of the matter that counted.  I just had  to do it.  Now that it's over, I should NEVER do it again. :)



We had a great time seeing "Jahma Jeanie" (what Aiden calls my mom) and "Grampa Tricks" and all the cousins and aunts and uncles.  Next time we see you guys, we'll have a THIRD little boy to introduce into the madness at "Jahma's" house!  Thank you for a great time!  LOVES YOU ALL!