Nothing Compares to the IA State Fair

It was another great year at the Iowa State Fair! The first weekend of the fair I took Friday off and we headed up to Des Moines Thurs. night and came home Sun. It was lots of fun to camp and spend some time up there. This year my parents camped in a row with Matt, Katie and Claire, Aunt Patty and Uncle John, Lincoln, Shawna and Lane and family friends the Bickels and Larsens. Kim and Randy and the kids were up there that first weekend too. Lots of little kids running around! Decker had tons of fun getting to know the Bickel boys and LOVED playing with all of their farm equipment toys. Provided many hours of entertainment for him. I took the second Friday off from work as well and Decker and I spent the weekend camping again (Jeff was out of town). We had a great time at both the fair and spending lots of time in the campgrounds with family and friends! Looking forward to next year!!

Butter cow hat, butter cow shirt, sucker and milk - life is good!

Family shot at the Pella Plaza

Granny, Decker and Claire with their IA state fair t-shirts

For the 100th anniversary of the butter cow, they had 100 painted cows around the fairgrounds. Here we're standing in front of the Clearfield Lions painted cow.

Decker wanted to get his face painted like a puppy dog.

Except the puppy dog face looked a little like a monster and was a little scary. Decker took one look in the mirror and wanted it off! Luckily he forgot about it and kept it on. Although he did make one little boy cry after looking at his scary face painting :(

Our sad little puppy

Decker had a blast on Midway with Evan and Mallory and all the rides. So glad we were able to go with the kids, as the last rides we went on without other kids he was terrified. Decker especially liked all the helicopter and motorcycle rides!






Decker loved the shuttle buses since they were pulled by tractors. He had so much fun just riding around the campgrounds.

"Driving" the Clearfield Lion tractors with uncle Matt - you can tell by his face how excited he was!

Decker learned how to blow a duck call. He's practicing up so he can compete next year :) This year my dad, brother and cousin Lincoln entered the duck calling contest. My dad got first place a took home a blue ribbon!! Looks like Decker will be learning from the best.

Interesting way to eat a corn dog...

We went inside the butterfly tent this year. Decker (and Jeff) didn't like all the butterflies landing on you. Here Katie had one on her skirt. But Claire was too sleepy to notice.

Little Hands on the Farm


Peanut butter and jelly on a stick

Claire and Lane were in the baby contest and got first place in the group category. Dressed up as Daddy’s Little Hunters

An annual tradition of riding the big yellow slide


Decker was terrified of the ostrich!

But he liked the elk

And the rabbits

Auntie Katie and Claire Bear

Checking out the farm equipment


Uncle Matt and Decker meeting Clifford!

Eating up some yummy fair food

View of the campgrounds for those of you that asked

Decker got to ride the skyglider this year with me and Granny