Did you know that the LA County Fair is the world’s largest fair?  My father-in-law has been attending the LA County Fair since he was a small child.  He loves to take us every year for his birthday.  The first time I went to the fair was with my husband’s family.  I remember the sights and sounds distinctly as we walked all day.  We get to the fair when it opens and we don’t usually leave until it closes.  I remember trying a deep fried Oreo one year and thought it was the most amazing thing ever.  From deep fried goodies such as a Twinkie, snickers or corn dog, to the roasted corn on the cob, or an “Everything baked potato”, there is something so good but so wrong for everyone’s food fantasy. Pink’s hot dogs is even represented along with the most amazing cinnamon rolls. Remember, I’ve been going for 12 years now, so no I don’t eat all of this in one day. We all try to justify our food gluttony with the amount of walking, but it never seems to matter the next day when the pants fit a little tighter.  It’s well worth the adventure if you’ve never been.                                                                                                                                                                                   

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day.                                                                                                                                                   

There is more than food at the LA County Fair, but you know the real reason why I go.   My girl loved the animals this year.

I call this next picture “Sweet and Sour”.  She’s was in a bit of a mood in the second photo.

What’s a fair without ice cream?

She was a little freaked out at first, but got into it once the ride got going.

A few times in my life I’ve met people that instantly made a great impression on me.  This young lady and her family fits into that category.  I remember telling her Mom and Dad years ago, before I had children of my own, “I hope I can raise daughters with as much poise, respect and well-roundedness as you’ve raised your two girls!”.  I now have a daughter of my own and I’ve often sought counsel and help from this family.  They are truly one of my favorite families at my church and I’m so blessed to have them in my life.

Looking back on my High School days, I could have benefited from a friend like Abrea.  She’s full of joy and energy, and is the counselor among her friends listening to their troubles, and giving sound advice. She aspires to be a psychologist and will make a great one.  She’s a drummer and a ballerina (what a combination, huh?), leading a dance group at her High School. When she asked me to do Senior portraits I couldn’t have been more excited. We met up at 5:45 a.m. (yes, she’s so busy that the morning was the only time we could connect).  I picked her up and we were off for a fun filled morning.  The girl can pose, and has some fierce looks.  America’s Next Top Model, WATCH OUT!

If you know anything about me I’m not really a girlie girl.  In fact, I was quite the tomboy growing up close in age with my brother.  Instead of dolls, I played with G.I. Joes building forts and dirt moats.  My parents enrolled me in ballet and tap, but only after a few weeks I quit wanting to play little league baseball.  I stuck with baseball for 3 years, and was the only girl on my team.  I never liked pink, although my Grandmother insisted buying everything and anything pink up until high school.  She even decorated my room in baby pink, blue and cream.  She wasn’t going for my favorite colors of the day, black, white and red.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

So, maybe as I see my daughter in a ballerina tutu and a cheerleading outfit, there is part of me that is a little jealous.  However, knowing Eva, I’m not sure if she’ll be a girlie girl either. Since she’s barely talking, and can’t tell me what she likes and doesn’t like, I thought my opportunity is short to dress her and make believe what she “might” like someday.  Whatever we enroll her in, whether soccer, gymnastics, cheerleading, or dance this girl has energy that needs to be exerted.                                                       

She’s had this tutu for sometime, and it finally fits her. It was cute to see her dancing around and feeling the tulle. 

The cousins bought this UCLA cheerleading outfit for her last year on her 1st birthday, but it was way too big.  It fits, and we got free tickets to the game this weekend.  She looked darling!  For my USC fans out there, this next picture you might not want to look at.  :) UCLA won by the way. GO BRUINS!