End of Summer, well not really....

The NYS fair is over for another year. It symbolically represents the end of summer. We had a great time this year. The kids were at the perfect age. No strollers, no whining, no teasing for anything.... they were great.... all 7 times they went!! :)

Yeah, we went a little overboard this year. Actually I took them 4 times, a few hours at a time. My mom took them one afternoon and then Brian took them on his own. And then I went one last time with my Dad. We saw every bit of the fair but mostly staying in our favorite place. "The quad" is what we called it. The big area in between some of the buildings with all the educational stuff, the NYS Troopers, boy scouts, ect.

Sam LOVED the trooper demos and Beth loved the cow building.

Chocolate milk was always on the menu.

Live music. Mini golf.

Learning about different cultures (Native American and African American).

4H

Lots of animals.

Funnel Cakes and ice cream.

Winning 3 goldfish. Lovingly named Goldilocks, Thunderhead, and Patrick.

The kids feeding the sheep.

Rocking out to Brooks and Dunn. We drove over to the grandstand and listened to some songs.

Watching the State Troopers Mobile Response Team's demonstration.

We saw it 5 times. I then bought him a NYSMRT T-shirt. I actually saw Sam trying to do this in the backyard today on/in the tree.

They were so kind to pose for a picture with the kids.

Jumping high!

One of the rare moments in the midway.

Dancing to Brook's and Dunn concert.

Meet J.J.

The newest addition to our ever growing circle of joy.

Our friends Kristin and Joe had this beautiful boy last night.

Everyone is happy and healthy.

Here he is at 12 hours old.

(Heather.... you're next!!!! :)

Politics

Back and forth, back and forth.... not in my opinions/politics but if I should write this post. I typically try not to talk politics with friends or family that I know are not like-minded. Mostly because I don't want to debate issues I believe fundamental to the greater good of society. I say "I" because everyone's political/spiritual beliefs are intimately personal. I can not fully speak for Brian in this entry, although I will say that he does support 'CHANGE' and 'Enough is Enough'. We are very similar in our political opinions. But back to the blog entry...

Well after some time thinking about it...

IT'S MY BLOG AND I CAN TALK ABOUT WHATEVER I WANT!!!! :))

So sorry if you don't happen to agree. Skip this entry. I'll have something posted about family life soon, I'm sure. Happiness will rule supreme again in "blog land". But today it's politics.

I have been watching the DNC all week. It's been inspiring to listen to each speech. They kept getting better and better. I was so proud of Hillary, she did a great job. It was the best speech she has given and she seemed so relaxed. Love her, hate her... no one can take away the history she made. The path that she made for other women has permanently entrenched the country, with no going back. I LOVE that my daughter will grow up not knowing anything different than she too could become president. ANd I ABSOLUTELY LOVE that my son will too. That he will grow up with more respect for women's rights, not knowing the "old style" of doing business. The finale of the week with Obama's speech was the BEST! Always eloquent, honest, and inspiring.  Below is a link to the speeches. Become enlightened, become inspired! (Go ahead, no one's looking, and I won't tell anyone! :)

(** I won't even profess my feelings on the VP selection for McCain. All I have to say is it doesn't get more transparent than that.)

Obama       

Al Gore

Joe Biden

Hillary

Bill

The Back 9

I meant to post this a few weeks ago.

Sam designed a "golf course" in the back yard. We call it The Back 9.

The inflatable pools became water hazards, the mulch around the trees were sand traps, the big yellow inflatable slide transformed into a "mini golf-esque" hole,  beach buckets turned into the holes, and the Barbie Jeep became the golf cart (only Sam could fit in ;)

They had so much fun. 

Imagination and resourcefulness... that's my boy!

Trouble...

... with a capital "T"!

'Saying Goodbye to the House that Ruth Built'

There it is.

Who knew that this moment, this click of the shutter would become my baby. 

I entered 4 photos into the NYS Fair this year. All I was hoping for was to get an acceptance. To have some of my work displayed.  I was told by many that it is very hard to get in. It may take years for an accepted photo to be displayed.

When the mail came last week I received the notification cards. Four cards for four photos. As I turned them over, one by one, "not accepted" was all that was checked. That is until I got to the last one, "WINNER" was marked off.

Nothing else was mentioned. 'Winner' could mean 1st-3rd places. 

So tonight was the Artist Reception, to see the gallery before the public. I took the kids with me, my friend Emily met me there and Kristin A. came. As I walked around the corner this is what I saw....

BLUE RIBBON!!!!

Can you believe it??? :)

Like I said before this was my baby. This image means a great deal to me. It's my three loves, all together, in a special moment in a special place. 

I love it. 

It's hanging in the Art and Home Center at the fairgrounds if anyone wants to see it in person. After that... it'll be hanging in my family room! :)

~Tara xoxo

Days gone by in the Butternut Valley

100th Annual Wilber Reunion

Actually it was the Wilber, Rowe, Foster Reunion.

My grandparents grew up, married, and started a family in the Butternut Valley. It is beautiful there. The farmlands are stunning. I have always loved being there... as if I was going home again. Every summer there is a reunion. I have missed it for a few years... (it's also Madison-Bouckville Antique show the same weekend ;) But this year the antiques would have to wait. It was important to my grandfather that all who could attend, would.  It was nice to see everyone. 90 people were in attendance. Lots of old photos were passed around, genealogy being gathered, and great food being eaten. After the reunion my grandfather drove us up to the old family farm were he grew up. He shared a lot of memories with us. It was sooo nice. There was no one home at the farm so we took the opportunity to walk around a little bit.

We had a really beautiful day.

*** Sorry about the sloppy collages. I had so many pictures to share and not a lot time to fuss. You can click onto to the pictures to view them larger.

Wilber Hill Farm

Beth, Sam, and Livvie

(Isn't Beth getting so tall??)

The VanScoy House

This was my great great grandparents home. 

It was also the first house that my grandparents had. It's one of my favorites.

Grandpa and the Barn

My grandmother's old school house.

I can't take 100% credit for this find. My Uncle Paul thought this would make a nice shot. So I walked around and found the best angle. Love this picture... it's by the schoolhouse.

Thanks for taking this walk with me.

Tara xoxo

*** If anyone is wondering where Brian is... he is in Canada fishing with my dad and brother (Patrick). I'll have pictures to post from their trip in a few days. :)))