PhotoStory Friday-The County Fair!

Last night, as is our annual tradition, we went to the county fair. We always go on Thursday nights to watch the rodeo because that's the night (thanks to our local radion station), we receive FREE admission and ride tickets. Who can resist FREE??? Not me, especially when on a tight budget.

Here are some photos of what I like most about the fair:

all the LIGHTS!!!

And of course we enjoy the rodeo as well!!!

Cool ride to photograph...but you won't catch ME on it!!!

Seemingly popular booth at the fair:

Another popular hangout:

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Hosted by Cecily and Angie

"Mario" Gets Her First Warning!

Most of you who know me well know I drive too fast sometimes. Marty has called me "Mario" for years because of my lead foot. Fortunately though I'd never been pulled over for speeding....until today. I was in a big hurry because I could not get Heather out of the house on time to get her to her band contest so I was driving way over the speed limit as I neared town. Thankfully the officer only gave me a warning (my first) and sent me on my way. Whew! I continued on my way at a much slower pace and got Heather to her destination (late, despite my speed).



When Marty arrived home from work he complained that my bad luck was rubbing off on him! He brought in a warning he'd recieved today as well. It seems the same officer who'd pulled me over early this morning pulled Marty over later this afternoon not a 1/2 mile from where I was stopped. He too only recieved a warning....but he was pulled over for only doing 2 miles an hour over the speed limit! I admit I was driving slightly faster than that. When we headed back to town to the fair...Marty took another route to avoid that stretch of highway!



I took some random photos at the fair which can be found on my other blog. Heather had asked if we could attend the Fair Queen Contest tonight at the fair. Her friend Cleary was one of the candidates. Unfortunately the contest took place just as we had to leave the fair and pick Heather up from her band trip. Before we left, I received permission to go back stage prior to the contest to take Cleary's picture. She looked stunning!

Guadalupe County Fair....Finale

We spent almost all of today at the fair. Our church sponsored a series of mini gospel concerts at the fair and teams were needed to be on hand throughout the day to pass out free bottles of water, etc. We decided to just be there for the whole day. It did make for a long day, but we had fun and I rode some rides while we were there (imagine that!). My father in law Freddie rode a couple of rides with me then when Jason was through with his turn passing out water he rode the Cliff Hanger with me. Once again Heather was absent so I had to look for people who liked to ride rides. (Heather spent the day at another band competition and they did excellent!)

When Marty and I were wondering around the fair we spent some time enjoying the Alpacas. They are beautiful animals and really fascinating. My favorite is the one on the left! They are soooo soft!

When my mother in law and father in law finished their turn passing out water bottles Freddie went on a couple of rides with me. First we went on The Storm, which spins round and round very very fast. Freddie was so funny on this one, acting so goofy!!!

I know...what a flattering shot! Thanks, Marty! The force of the ride was so strong I could hardly move my head!

Next we rode The Tornado. I think Freddie thought if he spun it fast enough he'd make me sick. Wrong! Guess who felt ill after this ride and wouldn't ride anymore? Right! Freddie!

Soon after, Jason arrived and rode the Cliff Hanger with me. Here we're ready for take off. Notice my shoes in my hands. I was afraid if I left them on my feet, I'd lose them so the carnival worker decided I should just hold them. Jason looks as if he's praying here!

"Hey, Jason, is this what it feels like to be Superman you think?"

Here are Mathew, his friend Beau, and Cameron riding the Cliff Hanger.

Erica, we sure missed you today!!!

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Here are the results of my entries in the photography exhibition at the fair I posted about here:

The photo I entered in the people category placed 3rd and the butterly picture I entered in the wildlife category also placed 3rd. My pastor entered a photo he'd taken of a turtle underwater and placed 2nd.

Guadalupe County Fair...part 3...The Parade

There's a flu bug going around Erica's house, so I took her son Cameron to watch the parade with me and wait for Mathew and Heather who were both in the parade. Because Heather and Mathew were in the parade, we had to be there extra early. The positive side of that was we didn't have to search for a place to wait and watch the parade!

Here Cameron waits patiently for the parade to begin. He waited patiently with me for over an hour, baking in the sun.

Just before the parade began Denise and her daughters Bethany, Maggie and Katie joined us to watch. Upon arrival Katie wanted to know where Mr. Marty was. So, I dialed his number on my cell phone and gave it to Katie so she could call him and ask him where he was. Of course he didn't have the day off (I took a vacation day!) and he couldn't join us, but he was tickled to hear from Katie!

Here Denise, Katie, Maggie, Cameron and Bethany await the beginning of the parade. Katie just wanted a shade to sit in!!!!

I thought this was sweet. Maggie and Katie as they watch for the first float.

Cameron snapped this photo of Denise and me as we waited.

Finally!!! Here's the band, and this photo shows Heather in the very center.

The band was immediately followed by the Starsteppers Dance Team, of which Heather is also a member.

This is my friend Krystal, riding in the truck that is hauling the varsity cheerleaders.

This is Krystal's daughter Niki, on the cheerleader float.

Mathew's (also known as "Sunshine" by his teammates) waving from the middle of all those girls! He rode on a float for his school's sports and cheerleader teams.

This is Danie, a friend of ours who attends the church we do, with the rest of her tennis team, riding on a GVEC truck.

Here is my friend Shannon, with her son Dawson, on the 4-H float.

What a great day for a parade!!! Last year's parade was cold!!!!

Tonight.....Football against San Marcos.....Go Mats Go!!!

We missed you Erica, Jason and Riley!!! Feel better soon!!!

Guadalupe County Fair

This weekend is our county fair. We usually spend an evening at the fair enjoying the rodeo and maybe a few rides. This year is no exception. My pastor has encouraged me to enter some of my photographs in the fair, so today I did just that. I could only enter one photo in any category and since many of my favorite photos are of the same subjects, the choices were hard for me. I finally narrowed it down, with Marty's help. Here's what we chose to enter:

landscape category:

people category:

Black and white still life:

Wildlife:

Floral:

I had decided not to enter this photo because once enlarged, Billy's very blurry. Marty encouraged me to enter it anyway and since I'd already had the enlargement made, I did. It's entered in miscellaneous since I already have a people entry, and there is no action or sports entry. I also already have a wildlife entry, but even if I didn't I'm sure the judges wouldn't have understood my putting Billy in that category! The rest of us who do know him, would completely understand that category!!! Am I right guys???

I'll keep you posted on the results and our time spent at this year's fair.