Minnesota State Fair 2011

On August 26 of this year, we headed to the Twin Cities and visited the Minnesota State Fair.  The Minnesota State Fair is held annually and draws a very large number of people.  The photo below is a great example of the sea of people that fills the large fairgrounds.  

MN State Fair 2011

We got there nice and early and started the fun. We purchased some discount ride tickets and let the boys ride some of the various carnival rides.

Isaac loving the ride he was just tall enough for.

Austin and Isaac on the swings.

"Sandwich!"

After the rides, we headed down to look at the different livestock.  The fair horses, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, turkeys, pigeons, rabbits, goats, and various other animals.  The large buildings don't necessarily smell very good, but the boys like looking at the animals.  My favorite thing is the huge mother pig with the piglets that they make sure to have every year.  They let you pet the piglets, which are very cute.

Cameron having a blast looking at the animals.

My little piggies.

We next stopped for some delicious cheese curds, Cameron fell asleep, and we cruised around a little while we waited for Nancy (Jensine's sister) and Mike (Jensine's dad) to arrive.

Cheese curds!  Mmmmmm...

Finally!

Once we met Nancy and Mike, we looked at some of the livestock a little more and then had some lunch.  After that, Austin fell asleep sitting in the stroller.  We walked around and looked at some different things, allowing him to sleep.

Tired boy.

After a while, we woke Austin up and let them go through a little farmer's thing.  They plant "crops", drive tractors, harvest, milk cows, and then get to pick a snack (chips, in the boys' case).  I'm pretty sure the tractor driving was their favorite.  Then we headed to the pet area and let Cameron see some dogs.

Isaac trying very hard to stay on the strait and narrow.

Austin cruising on his tractor.

Isaac practicing milking a rubber cow.

Doggie!

Finally, we took the boys on a few more rides, ate dinner, and then headed home.  It was a long day with a lot of walking (good for countering the various fried foods that we ate).  Everyone crashed on the way home, except Aaron (which would have truly caused us to crash as it was a 3 1/2 hour drive).

We decided not to buy this, unfortunately.

Austin on the "pirate ship."

Kinsers do the MN State Fair.