State Fair

I love going to fairs and hometown festivals. There is just something about the atmosphere and FOOD! :) The boys are starting to like to go on the rides and see all the different sites. Last week I was talking with my friend, Traci, and she mentioned how she had never been to the Indiana State Fair. Crazy, right :) I knew Brad wouldn't be excited about going on a weekend or evening with the crowds so the fact that Traci and I could take the kiddos on a week day worked out great. Poor Mason had to miss because of school, but I think we made it up to him with kettle corn from the fair!

I knew it was going to be a great trip when we successfully managed to fit 5 car seats and two adults into one vehicle. It was awesome not to have to drive two cars! Plus, kids five and under got in FREE! We really only had to pay for us to get in (perk of having all your kids in the vehicle being 4 and under!).


The weather was AWESOME! Especially for being in the middle of August. Who would have thought the high would only be in the 70's! Max wore his jacket most of the morning (well we did get the at 10) but the early bird does get the worm! There was hardly a crowd at all and we pretty much could do whatever we wanted. They had a great little farm area for the kids to go through and see what is was like to work on a farm. They got to play on a great indoor play area and even feed some animals. Fortunately, Unfortunately the rides didn't start until noon and we walked past them around 11:30. We were so bummed they weren't open yet! But, we did get to enjoy some great food and I don't think the kids really even remembered about the rides. We were on a time crunch to get back before Mason got out of school so we missed some of the animals and exhibits. But, overall the trip was awesome and I will totally try to go in the middle of the week again next year. Especially if the weather could cooperate again!

School Days!

Ready or not, the school year has begun. This time of year has not really been a big deal for our family in the past since we didn't have anyone that HAD to go to school. I mean, Mason and Max were in Pre-school last year and we made it a point to show good conduct about school by going on class days. But, if something came up (i.e. vacation to grandma's, ect.) they were able to miss a class or two. Well, not this year! It has begun. We have a Kindergartener. Really?!?! Yep!

Mason is basically in grade school, Max back to Pre-school.Thankfully for this mom they both love their schools. So far :) It is only the first few weeks! Here's hoping for a great school year and a smooth start to our MANY more school years to come!

(I thought it would be fun to ask them a few questions at the beginning school and "attempt" to ask them these same questions each year to see how they change. It's funny to hear their different answers!)

 Mason-Kindergarten-5 years old

*What do you want to do when you grow up? "Be a policeman. So I can get "bad guys" and help people".

*What is your favorite thing to do? "Be outside riding my bike and playing with my friends".

*What is your favorite thing to play with? "Policeman outfit". He does deck it out complete with belt for his gun holster, notepad for taking notes, handcuffs and flashlight!

*What is your favorite food? "Grapes, Mac & Cheese, Fruit Loops and apple sauce".

Max-Pre-School-3 years old (almost 4 in a few weeks he always notes)

(And yes, he is smiling. This is his cheese face!)

*What do you want to be when you grow up? "The REAL Batman. So I can fight crime!"

*What is your favorite thing to do? "Pretend fight bad guys and watch Octonauts."

*What is your favorite thing to play with? "My cap gun." Nice!

*What is your favorite food? "Chocolate milk, hot dogs and corndogs."

Baby BOY Moore #4

Yep, that's right. Another member of our crew is set to arrive January 2, 2014. It was a bit of a surprise but an exciting one. And, yes, you read that right baby BOY #4. At the ultrasound the tech wasn't able to get great pictures. So of course I kept asking "are you sure???". Yes, another boy to join our brood. I'm so excited!!! Mason and Max are excited for another boy too. To them that just means more trucks, cars, and superheros to play with. Not to mention someone else to teach to wrestle, find bugs and explore dirt. We are truly blessed beyond measure! And, yes, for a side note. There will be no more babies for this household. We are one shy of a basketball team but we live in a neighborhood with a slew of boys. We can always borrow one of them for the day :) Here's to counting down the days until January. I know they are going to fly by and it will be here before we know it!

Hooper Family Reunion 2013

Each year Brad's mom's family does this awesome week long camp-out at a state park for a family reunion. It's great! Who's family has a week long family reunion?!?! The boys LOVE it! Well, Matthew not so much sleeping in the cabin this year but there's always next year. Brad and I haven't actually stayed the entire week (we keep having little ones). Maybe one year we can have all the kiddos old enough to stay the week! But, Mason and Max have stayed the entire week (thanks to Grandma and many Aunts and Uncles) the past two years and when it's over they always ask "when is it going to be family reunion time again?"! What's better than staying up past dark roasting marshmallows, horseback riding, rock climbing, movies, nature center and all the bugs and dirt one could have! They are totally blessed to be able to be a part of such a great tradition. Already looking forward to next year!

Cousins!

(and one happy baby once we got home and actually slept at night!)

 Mason practicing his karate moves (he learned from Tyler) while waiting for his horseback riding turn. Crazy boy!

Nature center, yep my boys pet a snake. You will NEVER catch me promoting that. But, they LOVED it. Boys!!

Relaxing and rock climbing

Pizzas and praying mantis. There was an abundance of both!

 Worn out campers :)