Church Picnic #1

Way way way back, the last weekend of September we crashed Austin and Craig's church picnic which is always held the day before our church picnic.  Before we were leaving our house, Ev's asked to bring a blankie and several of her stuffed animals- I guess she knew she would be snoozing on the way over there :).

Emma was getting a little restless when we arrived and Ev's was still sleeping so I told her that we would get out of the car and go wander around.  We didn't bring any money with us (we were going to wait for Wes and little sis), so I didnt think she would be able to do anything while waiting for sister to wake up, but low and behold- there is so much free stuff at Austin's picnic.  First up, were the pony rides.

Where Emma fell madly in love with her horse.

Seriously though, she was all smiles because this girl loves her some pony rides.

Next up, we hit up the petting zoo where she also fell hard for this rabbit.

But she gives all animals a fair shot to win her heart over and spent several minutes petting this sweet cow that was more or less being neglected by all the other kids.

Sister was still asleep so we headed over to the bounce houses, where this girl went up and down the slides several times- love this sweet smile.

Evsie's woke up! And we immediately got her up on a horse as well.  And were happy to see that she was all smiles and loved the horses just like her sister.

My two girls.

We stopped by the petting zoo again where I caught the sweetest shot of Ev's profile.

On our way into their main area to find some food, we stopped by and gave hockey a shot.

Where I got to witness an unprompted sister love pat that completely warmed my heart.

And just when I thought I couldn't love these two any more, Ev's rocked her turn at the hockey stick and Emma was there cheering her on and gave her a celebratory high five.

After we ate (pizza for the girls and homemade Mexican food for us), we stopped by and had a long visit with the clowns.  They let Emma give their violin a try and she was in love.

And also very serious.

I love this shot of little sis watching big sis just studying everything and taking it all in.

And she was delighted when it was her turn.

Then they helped out with a magic trick and I had flashbacks of my dad signing me up for magic school.

Next, we headed to grab a balloon- Emma choosing a pink flower and Everly choosing a blue  ca-corn (unicorn :)).

Austin, Craig and Baby Seodore arrived and got to witness the girls getting their face painted.

We played a few games like 'pick the duck out of a swimming pool' (not sure what this is exactly called) and go fishing.

Daddy helping Ev's fish :).

Austin and Craig headed to play bingo and we headed back outside for more pony rides- it was at this ride we realized that they were the same company that was going to be at our church picnic the next day.

And then, Em's and Ev's hit up the bounce houses again.

Where it seemed like Everly never wore out (the nap did her good!) and kept a big 'ole plastered smile on her sweet face.

Emma took a break and got a blue snocone.

And we asked Ev's if she wanted one, and she refused to continue to go up and down this slide over and over again.

Until she gave in, all hot and sweaty, and decided she wanted a snocone of her own.

We wrapped up our day with a few more games and then a final pony ride...

where baby Theodore joined us! I just love 'firsts' in baby lives- especially my own, but I am coming to realize even my newphew's firsts are just as awesome and this was the same; I loved watching him discover horses and take it all in for the first time.

It was the perfect way to end such a fun day! All three cousins riding their 'neigh neighs.

Such a fun afternoon :).