Visiting the Ohio State Fair and Cousins

We were excited to have the opportunity to take a little road trip at the end of July.  Cousin Adam had been selected to take his county 4-H wood working project to the Ohio State Fair!  What a great accomplishment and honor!!!!  We weren't sure when the next opportunity to see the cousins would be, so I bravely ventured out with the three kiddos!  This was Ava's first road trip since being home.  

First stop before going to the fair was we met the cousins at the Lego Store in Columbus Ohio.  It was pretty crazy there, and I didn't get any pictures.  We then headed to our hotel, played with legos, went to the pool and got some dinner.  The next morning we headed to the Great Ohio State Fair!  It is such an awesome fair, and I was excited to go back!

We first went to the exhibit hall where Adam's project was displayed.  In this same building was an amazing Lego city display.  The boys were pretty excited about it, and this is where Trevor was inspired to create his own McD.

4 out of 5 cousins in front of Lego City

Old McDonald's!

Adam and his project!

 Outside this building as an old Civil War encampment.  The boys liked the tents and the guns!

Soon we were in the sheep barn which brought back many fond memories.  Love the smell of the sheep barn; lanolin, saw dust, wool.  Wished we could raise some sheep.....I miss them.

We went into the Wool Shoppe area where they have
products to purchase and things for kids to touch.
Ava's first touch of wool!

We managed to go to all the animal barns....Trevor and Evan even petted a milking cow outside the horse arena.  Inside the Clydesdales were being shown.  What magnificent and beautiful horses!

No visit to the Ohio State Fair is complete without visiting the butter sculpture!

Grandpa Bell would be proud...the boys were most excited to see the pigs!

Before lunch, we made it to the Ohio Conservation Department area.  Love this area...so pretty and so many activities for the kids.  The cousins all got to practice putting out a fire.  The highlight was when Smokey the Bear talked to each of the kids and called them by name.  I wonder how he knew their names?  If you ask Trevor or Evan, they thought it was pretty cool and still talk about Smokey the Bear.

We had fun, and I survived the trip.  Ava did well and it didn't seem to set her back in her attachment or security/trust of us.  So glad we could make some memories with cousins :)