Our State Fair is a Great State Fair...

Testing out our King-sized bed at the hotel.

Many, many years ago, yours truly graced the stage of Waconia High School as a "Fairtone" in the classic musical, "State Fair."  The story line of the musical follows a family as they make their annual trip to the Iowa State Fair and all the promise and even romance that it can offer.  Who would have thought that over ten years later, I would be living in Iowa and making my own annual trip to the Iowa State fair?!?  Jon and I have enjoyed making a little getaway of the Iowa State fair for several years now.  Last year, Jon went for work, but I stayed home with our little peanut.  THIS YEAR, that little peanut joined us!

Vinnie has recently taken interest in animals, especially those that can be found on a farm, so I was anxious to get him to the fair and expose him to all the agriculture and animals that the Iowa State Fair has to offer.  Not to mention the thrilling carnival games, and the delicious food!

Our journey started Friday afternoon.  We checked in to the wonderful Sheratan Hotel before going to grab some dinner.  Vinnie was obsessed with the giant bed that the hotel room had to offer, and even got to nap in this bed later in the weekend.

Meeting a baby "moo" cow.

Saturday morning, Jon worked the Kirkwood booth.  Vinnie and I took in all the great shopping that the Des Moines area has to offer and even lunched at their new Whole Foods Store (MUCH better than any State Fair vendor).  We met Jon at the fair later in the afternoon, and began Vinnie's very first fair adventure.  Our first stop was to check out the cows.  We even got to get up close to a baby calf!  We walked around, grateful for the cooler weather, tested food, and hit the midway before calling it an afternoon.  Highlights of the trip: sweet potato fries with maple cream dipping sauce, and Daddy's win in the midway!

Look what my daddy won me in the midway!

While we were happy for the chance to expose Vinnie to Iowa's great State Fair, we cannot wait for a chance to expose Vinnie to the "Great Minnesota Get Together" in years to come!

All worn out after a busy weekend at the fair!

After just one week back at daycare, our sweet boy was so eager to get his hands on everything daycare provides, he snatched up some nasty germs too.  He's been fighting a pretty nasty bug this weekend, and we are hoping for a quick recovery next week!  Now onto mom's first full week with students...lets hope its a little quieter and less chaotic than the last!

Have a great week!
All our love from Iowa!