MU South Farms Fall Fest 2012!

At the MU South Farm Fall Fest- watching the sheep-herding dogs works some ducks... Kieran thought it was pretty great ;)

A better view from daddy's shoulders...

Our little leader in the corn maze...

Turning around at yet another "dead end"

He actually did lead us out of the maze.

Playing with wheat grains...

"Driving" a tractor

Kieran LOVED this little baby pig- he is convinced we are getting one that will "live in the garage'" and be named "Wilbur"

Here's Wilbur out of his protective hay cover... Kieran spent a lot of time with this pig on Saturday ;)

He was mildly interested in this bunny...

and this tortoise too ;)

He made a quick b-line for Truman as soon as he saw him- I love that he is so fearless :)

Friday night, after the West School chili supper, we met up with Presley, Shannon and Papa at Farot field for the "Providence Bowl"- Rock Bridge vs. Hickman- and Kieran's first football game.

The kids had a lot of fun, although it was short lived :)

Mostly, they loved running wild whenever they got the chance!

This random pic is from Lori's house- when Rick and Jessie kept the kids and the mommies had an evening out- love the goggles and motorcycle look ;)

The first fall-fests of 2012!

Camden and Kieran embrace as they wait for the Ashland Fall Fest Parade. They were just so excited! We walked with Camden's family to see the parade first and then over to the park to the festival. It was a perfect Saturday morning for it- cool temps, crisp air and lots of sunshine! The kids enjoyed grilled cheese sandwiches (courtesy Camden's mom) and hot chocolate in their strollers on the ride over and the grown-ups enjoyed their coffee and conversation ;)

Sucker-stick dual!

Kieran is becoming pretty adept at gathering parade candy...

"Look mom! I got one!!"

His pockets were stuffed with candy... luckily we were able to dissuade him from eating it all right then and there!

The boys wait their turn for the bounce house... which was a huge hit this year with Kieran. Last year he wanted nothing to do with it but this time he was bouncing with the best of them- what a difference a year makes...

Camden and Kieran spent most of their time on the playground equipment and just running around- I guess craft booths and karaoke contests just don't do it for them ;)

Edith tried her best to keep up with the big-boys :)

Of course we had to spend some time in the sandbox- it's not a proper trip to the park if Kieran doesn't come home with sand in his socks...

And between his toes!

Kieran loves the little stream at the Ashland park, I can recall I liked that feature as a child too.

After the fest, we stopped by the APP for slices and pop- mmm!

So glad Kieran likes pizza as much as we do!

Silly boy!

Yesterday Rick, Kieran and I met my mom and sister at the annual Heritage fest in Columbia at Nifong Park. Kieran was very interested in the tee-pees and animal hides...

He chose two small, wooden cars- unfortunately only one made it out of the fest in one piece...

Milking the plywood cow... love that expression!

"Peek-a-cow!"

Looking for craft sticks in the hay to trade for candy- he liked this activity quite a bit and dug through the  straw like a dog :)

On a hayride with one of his candy prizes...

My sweet boy :)

Kieran loves kettle-corn...

Almost as much as he loves his Nana-Jo!

We ran into the Marshall twins out for the day with their daddy.

Evan, Jacob and Kieran had a grand time running wild at the park and playing with their cars.

The boys slow down a moment to watch a wheel-throwing demonstration...

Kieran found a new use for some of the sticky clay the artisan gave him to hold...

"Look mom- a Spider Man car!" (I think this is the car that lost a wheel a little later that trip...)

Kieran shows off his "battle" skills against this poor, defenseless tree.

The boys all loved the corndogs they had for lunch- mmmm!

Open wide!

A Trip to the Zoo!

We took advantage of the three day weekend and headed to St. Louis on Sunday to visit the zoo. Although there were a few mini-showers off and on, mostly we managed to stay dry and fairly cool. Kieran had a lot of fun and so did mom and dad- all in all a fantastic mini-holiday!

Our little cartographer... he was so into the zoo map this trip... he kept saying,  "We need to go to the country, it's (the animal) is in the country!"

Train time!

"Hmmm... where to next?!"

Kieran and his map :)

So serious! 

Kieran took advantage of every opportunity (real and imagined) to put his Spiderman umbrella to work ;)

Although he did like the animals, he was the most interested in anything he could be a part of and manipulate- tunnels and hands-on-activities were the order of the day!

Out of the tunnel- he loved this!

Mommy and Kieran watching the elephant family...

And daddy too!

On the phone with Camden in the Penguin exhibit- really though he was listening to information about penguins... too funny that little boy!

Kieran liked brushing the goats in the children's zoo...

He also liked warning others about the poop and pee... "Watch out!'

I love that he isn't afraid- of most anything really.

Out of the hippo's mouth!

Petting a tortoise in the children's activity center.

A quick break from playing pretend to pet a guinea pig...

And now back to being a pirate! I wasn't quick enough to capture it, but he was holding his hand over one eye- pretending it was a patch! Where does he get this stuff from?? I don't think we have read or seen anything about pirates! 

Practicing his vet skills...

Taking care of a sick lion ;)

Ride 'em frog-boy!

Mmmm- chocolate ice-cream!

The sugar coma has set in... you can tell by that far away stare ;)

Check out that alligator!

Kieran really liked the reptile house... more so than the monkeys or other furry animals. This and the penguins were his favorites at the zoo.

Look- lizards!

Waiting on a train...

Last ride of the day before we headed home :)