Labor Day Weekend!

I love me some good ol' family time. This weekend proved to have plenty of it and we made the most of it from sun up to sun down. For some reason "foods" seemed to be the theme for the weekend as we made fresh homemade salsa, appetizers using our over-abundance of tomatoes from our garden, banana bread, cinnamon rolls, partaking in racks of ribs that are still sticking to our ribs, and Andy tried his steady hand at making some elk jerky (we have so much elk from his "kill" last year....anyone wanna come for dinner?!). Naturally, the camera was readily available so we snapped away as our hands were busy putting together some pure deliciousness that filled our aching bellies over the course of these past four days.

the makings for some fresh salsa

ready to cook!

chopping the fresh veggies to add in last

where's the chips?! :)

appetizers

Andy smoking some elk jerky

YUM!!!

Mason's expression captures it perfectly here. He seems to be saying "are you serious? You actually want me to put this in my mouth?" He did. And he proceeded to beg with those pleading eyes and that semi-high-pitched Mason-like voice "cracker? Peeess?" Jerky just isn't in his limited toddler vocabulary as of yet. We're working on it.

I also really like his shirt--handed down 3 times now! :)

Labor Day weekend is also the weekend for the big "Tri-county fair" here in Winnemucca. Saturday was the day to embark on that little fair and be a part of the parade as it traveled down main street. We haven't been to a parade in a while but the boys instinctively knew to have the "candy bag" ready. We found our spots alongside the road and impatiently waited for those sirens to start, marking the beginning of the long line of cars/floats/animals/etc to head our way. Mason stood statue still as the parade made it's way to us, captivated by the loud noises and randomness of the variety of people that walked in front of us, taking in the colorful get-up of the vehicles and floats, and eventually, stepping out into the street to wave at the tractors as they drove by. He pursed his lips together making the tractor sound as he pointed in sheer delight that he finally recognized something passing in front of him. Plus, he just loves tractors these days. All three boys were so polite as they excitedly waved at everyone and anything that went by....I'd like to think it was just good manners. Partially, probably. But of course the candy won out--6 little hands found the sweet goodness on the ground and that delightful "candy bag" became heavier as the parade moved on.

ready for the parade!

our friend Madison with Mason

Mason carefully watching as the parade begins

CJ finding candy!

Mason getting candy!

all three boys waving at the tractors!

firetrucks!

Austin getting sprayed by the firetruck

family photo op!

Mason "petting" a pig! (a grand prize winning pig!)

shaved ice to cool off! (Austin's buddy Ryan joined us)

It was a fun weekend indeed. Today, however, it's back to that routine. I better grab one more cup of coffee before we settle in...and maybe one more piece of that banana bread.