Giddy up!

Well, we had a BLAST of a time at the annual Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison, IA.  But, before to I get to that, let me again present.... Fat Baby.  Yep, he lurrrrrves eating.  We've switched to some formula and the kid regularly downs 8 ounces (an amount neither of my other two ever reached even at 1 year old) without stopping and cries when it's done.  And now we're starting up solids and he's more than happy to be included at the table...

So, after dividing the two older boys for the car ride (for the 3, 235th time thank GOD for Bamma and Bampa), we made it out to Fort Madison Iowa for our 10th rodeo in 11 years.  Obviously we haven't had kids for all that time, so the experience has certainly changed over the years.  Andrea happened to have some black cowboy boots for Sam and he wore them pretty much non stop the whole weekend.

Saturday morning brought the parade and candy catching.  We gathered up on the side of the street and waited..

Look at this adorable crew, wouldja!

Even though we only get to see the Richmond girls a few times a year, our kids always find a way to play together.  It's just adorable.

Comparing our youngest ones.  Isaac at almost 6 months, Lydia at 17 months, and Leo at 14 months.  How different could they all be!?

Saturday night my mom stayed back at the hotel with Isaac while my dad came with for Rodeo fun!  It was hot, but we had a great time watching the bronco riding, the mutton busting, and the calf roping!

Sam and the ever present cowboy boots.  Yep, batman shirt and cowboy boots, wow.

Something about this picture makes me think of when they're 15 and sharing cotton candy.  So big already! 

I think the cotton candy was probably the highlight.

Evie and Sam stood most of the time to get a good look.  The Rodriguez boys proved to have the lowest rodeo stamina, and we busted outta there by 9:30pm.  But it was still a great night!

 Sunday morning we gathered back at the Krogmeiers for some lazy play time before heading back in the car.  Sassy pants Lydia shows us who's boss.

 And pantless boy Leo makes a run for it mid-diaper change!

We gathered all the troops for a picture.  Getting them all together in one spot was a bit challenging.

 I still can't believe that we have THIS many kids.  They are all so dang cute!

 Yep, still with the boots.  I'm sure that bike ride will go well for the boy who just learned how to pedal and now is wearing boots and riding on grass.  

 I love Leo's, "look at me guys!" face.

 We ended the weekend with a stop at Dairy Queen.  I am SO blessed that my parents help out so much and were willing to join us on this years' trip.  

And, what was Mike doing while we were gone?  Working and.... brace for it... making a Hello Kitty cake for Francesca's birthday.  Pretty sweet, isn't it?

So, we're all recovering from the fun weekend and ready for fall to fully set in (with some cooler temps).  Stay tuned for Noah's first soccer game and other crazy odds and ends!