Sunday, October 12, 2008

30th Annual Apple Festival

***WARNING...this post somehow got really long.

This weekend our town is celebrating it's 30th Annual Oak Harbor Apple Festival. Festival organizers and visitors have truly been blessed with terrific weather for this year's event. The sun has been shining all weekend and "temps" are above normal for this time of year.

We are lucky to have a house on the parade route. Every year friends and family gather in our front yard to watch the parade. Each year it is so much fun to watch the expression on Parker, Garrett, and this year Ryder's face as floats, marching bands, and other parade entries make their way down our street. The boys gather an overwhelming amount of candy...a bonus to them! Mommy...well, not so much;)

Please excuse the color/exposure on some of the pictures...the sun was in full force.

Parker ready for the fun to begin!

Oak Harbor High School Marching Band

2007 Apple Festival Queen & Princess

Garrett and his stash

Little Ryder enjoying his first parade

Garrett's stash keeps growing...he is surrounded by it LOL:)

Parker & Garrett...love the look of awe on their faces

A sucker & an apple for Parker

A picture for my Baby G...he loves garbage trucks. Our friend, Dan, was in this truck and scooped one of his sons from our yard as he passed. Garrett turned & looked at me like, "Holy cow! Did you see that? He is getting to ride in a garbage truck!"

Parker and Garrett's favorite...a group of dirt bikes, motorcycles, and 4-wheelers from Schiets Motors (where daddy used to work). Parker, obviously, aspires to ride in the parade with them one year:)

Still excited about those dirt bikes!

Eventually, Ryder fell asleep on Grandpa Scott...

...and my nephew, Breydan, fell asleep in Mammy's arms.


After the parade we headed to the festival itself and indulged in tons of yummy festival food (including apple dumplings...mmmmm!). Parker and Garrett (along with Ashton) insisted upon riding a few rides as well. I will be honest and say I am not a big fan of "carnival rides". I do not have alot of faith in rides that can be put up and taken apart in one day. I try to meet the kiddos in the middle and allow them to ride the train and merry-go-round (basically anything that stays "lower" to the ground).
Parker is excited for the train...

...but, not quite as excited as Garrett!

Notice they cannot sit by each other...this is Parker's doing.

A cute shot of Garrett

Ashton and Parker (with my my Mom, Ryder, Leslie, and Breydan in the background)

Finally, I would like share a few additional moments from our day yesterday. While I do not have pictures to help document these events I think they are worth sharing.

*
At one point during the parade Garrett got down on his stomach and licked the road in front of him. He had gotten some grass/mud in his mouth and apparently thought licking something (anything) would get rid of it. I cannot begin to describe the priceless (and somewhat disturbed) look on everyone's face. My mom and I...well, we were not shocked (nor would Eric have been...he was working). This is the same child who will blow his nose on our carpet. That is just Garrett for you!

*Garrett made his way to a ride...a roller coaster he thought. In reality it was some ride that twirled you around, flipped you upside down, etc. He desperately wanted to ride it and I told him "no". He asked me to ride it with him and I told him mommy would get sick. He then replied, "I do it self!" Sorry little man...the answer is still "no".

*Parker covered his ears with every marching band that passed. I do not think I have to worry about him ever requesting a drum set.

*Parker and Ashton were so stinking cute holding hands as we walked through the festival. Then at times they were pushing each other onto the pavement. Ahhhh....boys!

*Ryder loved the marching bands! His feet did a little "happy dance" the entire time they were in view. So cute!!!

*Finally, I ran into someone I went to high school with (and have not seen in a good 5+years). As Eric and I stood there with 2 strollers and 3 young kiddos she exclaimed, "Are these all yours?!?!" The tone in her voice was one of shock, disbelief, and perhaps a little bit of fear. Yep, they are all mine (ours)!

4 comments:

Sara said...

Don't you just love it when people give you the shocked, "you have HOW many kids?" look. HA! Looks like you had a lot of fun! Sorry Eric couldn't be there to enjoy it with you. Been there, done that. :(

Lelia said...

Wow! You got some really great pictures! Can't wait to see the scrap pages.

Leslie, Craig, Ashton and Breydan said...

YIKES, THE APPLE FESTIVAL!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE PICS THAT YOU GOT. AND NEEDLESS TO SAY THE STORY OF GARRETT LICKING THE GROUND, WELL ALL I CAN SAY IS IT IS NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING WHAT THAT LIL MAN DOES!!! AND THOSE PICS COULDNT EXPLAIN ANY BETTER HOW EXCITED PARKER WAS TO SEE THE DIRTBIKES! HOW CUTE THEY ALL WERE!!

jenney said...

LOL I love that look on Garret's face! So cute! Looks like a fun day!

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