In September we went to the annual Fire Muster. There is a fire truck parade, chances to sit in (or on!) a variety of fire trucks, a kind of carnival on the grounds, and after sunset there are fireworks. This was our first time going and we decided to walk the distance, about 3 or 4 miles away. It doesn't sound like a very long trip, but add kids into the equation and halfway there you're questioning why you ever thought walking would be a good idea. I have pictures from most of our day, though I didn't take any at the time of the fireworks.
Here are the kids walking along. We were almost there!
Megan led the way!
It's like a balance beam!
Josh looks awfully tiny next to that big truck.
An old fire truck:
Family photo:
The kids got to sit in this vehicle.
Nathan in particular enjoyed the antique fire trucks:
The mobile command unit as the parade begins:
There were tons of fire trucks in this parade...from very little to very big, very old to very modern.
Katie giving her "princess wave."
Taking a rest from all that walking!
We all had so much fun! :)
The kids got fire helmets, stickers, magnets, and pencils. They also had photos of all the fire fighters from the city. I was able to pick out the photo of one of the guys who helped Josh get out of the floor vent a couple of years ago. :/
Even a horse-drawn fire truck!
One little girl whose grandpa owned an older fire truck let the kids climb aboard:
Inside the mobile command unit:
At this point, we walked back home so the kids could get some lunch, we could get some cash for the kids to go on the rides, and so Katie could take a nap. I'm sure we looked ridiculous--sometimes I was pushing Katie in her stroller with Megan or Josh on my back. And wouldn't you know that the bulk of the walk home was uphill! Don't worry, for this next segment, we got in the van and DROVE to the event!
In the evening they had one of the fire trucks pumping water out for the kids to run through and cool off...not that it was a very hot day, but kids don't care, it's just fun to play in a "sprinkler!"
Carnival rides! The 3 younger kids wanted to go on this motorcycle ride:
They were having a blast!
Nathan got to go on his very favorite ride, bumper cars!
Megan and Daddy went on this ride also. Megan's first time driving a car solo!
Traffic jam family!
LOVE Nathan's expression here!
This was on a giant spinning dragon ride--kind of like a huge sit-and-spin. As you can see, the kids were having a ton of fun!
After the dragon ride, Nathan and I went on the "Sizzler," which is the one where you sit in a little basket area and the ride whizzes you forward, backward, and diagonally so it feels like you're going to crash into other people on the ride or the people waiting outside of the ride. Oh my word, I have NEVER been in one that has gone this fast before. My neck hurt and I couldn't turn to look at Nathan who, at the time, was plastered into my side thanks to the force of motion from the ride. I was laughing so hard I was crying simply because the speed was unreal! I am SO glad that Megan did not go on that ride, she would have freaked out. It didn't help that the guy running the ride looked like an ex (?) con!!! It was definitely a memorable experience. The little kids were antsy while Nathan and I went on this ride, so Bryn took them to buy some cotton candy, and that made everything all better.
The girls got to go on one final ride and they chose a Blues Clues "easy" ride.
Close to the entrance/exit to the event, there was a live band. They were playing a lot of Chicago music, which was fun. We had fun listening and the kids all started dancing around. Here Megan is dancing with Daddy:
And I love these pictures of Katie--she is in her own little world and is so very happy to be dancing to the loud music:
She even dances with both feet up in the air!
I enjoy the happy expressions on (most of) the kids' faces:
Playing in the dirt at the back of the concert area:
At this time we drove back home, got the kids into their jammies, teeth brushed, then hopped back into the van and went back to watch the fireworks. It was the first time Katie and Josh ever got to see a real fireworks show and it did not disappoint. We had a wonderful night and it's one that I think I'll always remember!
Megan made a kitty:
And the other kids did a gingerbread cutout. Here is Nathan, hard at work painting his spider:
Megan working on her cat:
Josh hard at work on his patriotic gingerbread man:
Katie painting her gingerbread man, also:
Getting further along:
The finished products:
(The cat has blue eyes, a pink nose, and a blue smile...just in case you needed help seeing it!)
Katie used up all her paints; the colors all melded into gray:
This was our 2nd snow of the season, also in October. The plus is that it was the wet snow, so the kids could pack it and make things out of it.
It was really strange to see trees with all their leaves still on, yet wearing a coat of snow. After this snowfall, the leaves on ALL the trees came down in less than 24 hours.
Yes, my children roll a giant snowball UPhill...
Teamwork!
Hey guys, I have an idea, why not just let it roll down the hill?!?!
Katie on a snowball. Reminiscent of a photo we have of Megan in the exact same snowsuit and standing on a giant snowball as well. I liked these photos so much, I couldn't pick a favorite, so there are 3 of them for you to look at:
Here's the little pig...I mean, chipmunk:
Check out those puffy, seed-filled cheeks!
Megan led the way!
It's like a balance beam!
Josh looks awfully tiny next to that big truck.
An old fire truck:
Family photo:
The kids got to sit in this vehicle. 
Nathan in particular enjoyed the antique fire trucks:
The mobile command unit as the parade begins:
There were tons of fire trucks in this parade...from very little to very big, very old to very modern.
Katie giving her "princess wave."
Taking a rest from all that walking!
We all had so much fun! :)
The kids got fire helmets, stickers, magnets, and pencils. They also had photos of all the fire fighters from the city. I was able to pick out the photo of one of the guys who helped Josh get out of the floor vent a couple of years ago. :/
Even a horse-drawn fire truck!
One little girl whose grandpa owned an older fire truck let the kids climb aboard:
Inside the mobile command unit:
At this point, we walked back home so the kids could get some lunch, we could get some cash for the kids to go on the rides, and so Katie could take a nap. I'm sure we looked ridiculous--sometimes I was pushing Katie in her stroller with Megan or Josh on my back. And wouldn't you know that the bulk of the walk home was uphill! Don't worry, for this next segment, we got in the van and DROVE to the event!
Carnival rides! The 3 younger kids wanted to go on this motorcycle ride:
They were having a blast!
Nathan got to go on his very favorite ride, bumper cars!
Megan and Daddy went on this ride also. Megan's first time driving a car solo!
Traffic jam family!
LOVE Nathan's expression here!
This was on a giant spinning dragon ride--kind of like a huge sit-and-spin. As you can see, the kids were having a ton of fun!
After the dragon ride, Nathan and I went on the "Sizzler," which is the one where you sit in a little basket area and the ride whizzes you forward, backward, and diagonally so it feels like you're going to crash into other people on the ride or the people waiting outside of the ride. Oh my word, I have NEVER been in one that has gone this fast before. My neck hurt and I couldn't turn to look at Nathan who, at the time, was plastered into my side thanks to the force of motion from the ride. I was laughing so hard I was crying simply because the speed was unreal! I am SO glad that Megan did not go on that ride, she would have freaked out. It didn't help that the guy running the ride looked like an ex (?) con!!! It was definitely a memorable experience. The little kids were antsy while Nathan and I went on this ride, so Bryn took them to buy some cotton candy, and that made everything all better. 
Close to the entrance/exit to the event, there was a live band. They were playing a lot of Chicago music, which was fun. We had fun listening and the kids all started dancing around. Here Megan is dancing with Daddy:
And I love these pictures of Katie--she is in her own little world and is so very happy to be dancing to the loud music:
She even dances with both feet up in the air!
I enjoy the happy expressions on (most of) the kids' faces:
Playing in the dirt at the back of the concert area:
At this time we drove back home, got the kids into their jammies, teeth brushed, then hopped back into the van and went back to watch the fireworks. It was the first time Katie and Josh ever got to see a real fireworks show and it did not disappoint. We had a wonderful night and it's one that I think I'll always remember!
