Dragon Knights Stilt Walkers at the Great New York State Fair

We were very impressed by the Dragon Knights Stilt Walkers we encountered at the New York State Fair yesterday.
They came wandering by and Mark and Grace weren't sure what to think about them.

They were pretty creepy looking, but also so unique that you had to watch the amazing puppetry they used to make the "dragons" come to life.

Gracie is getting a little closer!

What outstanding make-up on the Dragon Master. Grace was still brave here, but when she turned around one of the dragons nipped her on the neck. That was it for Grace, she moved waaaaaay back after that!

Mark pet the dragon's head, but when he turned away it followed him, nibbling him on the head!

They had a real neat performance as the Dragon Master directed the dragons moves.

Check back for move of our fun from the fair.(There is too much fun for just one post!)

A Trip to See Santa

Pat and I headed to the mall today with the four youngest kids in tow. We put Kim and Luke in this very cute firetruck stroller and we were good to go. Of course, one of the main stops for us was the north pole, not the real north pole, as Grace commented, a pretend one. I wondered who would have the courage to sit with Santa this year. The babies didn't want anything to do with the big guy, and Mark was to mature to sit with him-he thought it was just nonsense. With Grace, I had no doubt, she is a definite Santa lover.

She talked and talked with Santa, and then she talked some more. After about 10 minutes I was finally able to coax her away, with a promise that maybe we will stop by again another day.

It certainly was a fun day. Pat and I knew that this was an outing--not a shopping trip--shopping would be impossible with this crew. We did manage to make a few purchases, and Kimberly ended up with two new "friends".
It was a very good day!

A Hike to the Bottom of the Falls

Who could ever imagine that we would be able to head outdoors on October 30th in Central New York and take a hike in 50 degree, sunny weather.

We found creeping myrtle plants still looking beautiful with their purple blossoms.

Mushrooms are still growing,

and this cabbage butterfly should be finding a milder climate soon.

Kimberly had the easiest hike to the base of Chittenango Falls. It is about 15 minutes from out house and just wonderful.

It is very easy to stand at the base of this waterfull and realize the greatness of God.

Just breathtaking

We finished the afternoon with a ride on the swings.

Oh, winter, we will smile when you send your first snowflakes, but for now we will keep smiling because you are nowhere to be found.

A Friday Outting

We had a very special outting today when Daddy took us to the Carousel Mall.

It has begun an expansion and will be the biggest mall in the U.S. when it is done.

We very rarely go to the mall--never to shop--but as a fun trip out for the kids.

The last time I was here I discovered a wonderful, quiet spot in the midst of a very busy mall.

I showed this wonderful Franciscan Place to Pat and we spent a few minutes with Our Lord in the chapel.
We then went on to the carousel, for which the mall is named.
Luke did like the horse, until it started to move, and then he lost control.

He was o.k. once his daddy tossed him into the sleigh with his mom and sisters.

We did have some excitement on the way home.(About 40 miles from home.)But Dad took care of us and we were home before we knew it.

Well, some of us knew it.

Zoo Day

Today, Dad took us all to the zoo.

In the zoo gift shop we found this sign, which is now hung in the kitchen. I thought it described perfectly the house as we got ready to go to the zoo.

Kimmy hammed it up for the camera while we were there. She kept this pose until the camera was put away.

I'm not sure what this penguin thought of Mark, but I guess it liked him.

Of course, we have to have some of the kids pose as penguins. Very cute,

especially the little baby penguin.

Poor Luke had to push his own stroller. I hope his legs won't get too tired.

He walked all the way to the barn, and then had to milk the cow by himself so that he could have a drink.

Is there an age limit posted on this cow?

We have just finished learning about bears around the world, and we were very happy to get such a good look at the spectacled bear.

We have been learning so much, Grace is ready to get out there and move the world!

The Great New York State Fair!!

Today Pat, 4 children and I headed to the New York State Fair. We try to do this every year and we all have a great time. This year Becky stayed home with the babies, Dan and Matt had soccer practice and Patrick Jr had to work.

Hopefully, I will go back next week with some of the kids who missed out on the fun this week.

New York is an agricultural state,(there is much more to NY than just New York City), and above, the kids portray some of the livestock of the region.

Mark participated in the raptor demonstration, he did a wonderful job in spite of being quite scared of this "meat eating" owl.

Dad took this picture of a real live bald eagle in the raptor show. I think this photo deserves to be blown up large and hung on the wall.

I think that this white Iceland falcon was one of my favorites.

We watched the New York State troopers repel off a 60 foot tower. They repelled down backward, forward, feet first, head first and upside down. Great job guys. (It was law inforcement day and Pat got us free entrance tickets to the fair today.)

Gracie made friends here, just as she does everywhere.

She made friends with bears, and

friends with horses.

The kids drove fighter jets,

jet skiis,

and snowmobiles. It may have been 95 degrees today, but we all know that winter in northern NY is headed our way.

Our favorite thing to do at the fair is to find all the free stuff that we can. This year was no exception. We made quite a haul.

We have counted-

56-pencils

25- pens

12-coloring books

8-rulers

6-key chains

4-gun locks

2-t-shirts

and other things to numerous to continue.

We do want everyone to be warned though. If you are headed to the fair and the weatherman says that the temperature will be 95 degrees but the "heat index" will be much hotter, know that some of your children will arrive home looking like this.

It is now time for bed.