We visited them in Bentonville a few months ago and this past weekend the Clives drove down to experience Little Rock. And...the State Fair! Apparently some of Mardee's friends were sort of confused as to why we'd want to go to the State Fair. Well, apparently some of Mardee's friends don't know the great lengths we went to in Chicago to see the sights! Buses, trains, blocks of walking...all in the snow. Anything to do something "local". When Matt and I saw the ads for the Fair we high-fived and thumbs-upped and then immediately got in touch with the Clives. We were completely certain that they would by dying to go. And they were!
Their visit was wonderful. Fun to catch up and try to hear each other over the racket the kids made.
Jacob told me that he loves Cadence and Campbell more than Daddy...which means I'm further down on his love line. When our families met Jacob was 3, Cadence was 2, Nicholas was 1 and Campbell was 6 weeks old.
And seriously, Campbell pretty much was the stroller or Baby Bjorn those first few months. So little!
Awwwww.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!
We tried to take as many pictures of the kids in as many configurations as we could. I mean, with our three boys and their three girls surely someone has to at least date!
Poor Benny experienced 99% of the fair from his stroller.
Sunny, hot, confusing and yet fun.
Maybe Nico and Cadence will hit it off! I see this at their reception on the table where the sign-in book is.
This ride rocked. It was a little track that whipped the kids around a sharp curve. As you can see, it was fun.
In my attempts to photograph the three cars our kids occupied I got a few strangers. But look at how cute these boys are!
It was fun AND Nico needs a haircut.
We also went because we were anxious to see any crazy fair food we could. This article has changed us. I love how colorful and wild it is. I half expected to see Pinocchio running around in such a sinful, gluttonous place that serves fried dough (look far).
The food wasn't as crazy as we had hoped, but still...
Yes, chocolate dipped bacon. Eeeew.
This sign was in the cow barn...what is "filling"??!?
More couples shots. Layla and Benjo chillin' in the stroller.
Nico and Campbell playing peek-a-boo.
We ended up with a funnel cake and a deep fried twinkie.
And here comes the part where I come off as a fuddy duddy. Ah so be it. Spencer is pretty much always up for it. He even was up for wheeling and dealing with the carnies. He was able to save us major dough (un-fried) by dickering them down ride after ride. When he started working with the guy running the bull I didn't even consider doing it.
But Spencer did.
And Matt.
I was ready to walk away when Mardee hopped up there! I was impressed. But the minute they all came off saying it was exhausting I said no thanks. Now that I'm blogging it I'm a bit sad, but mainly just for the photo op. I've become an old lady!
More car ride!
I am seeing more wedding video fodder!
I can't get enough of these smiles. Unfortunately, Campbell and Cadence weren't as easily seen so we missed their reactions.
Smiling eyes...
Note our kids' cars are the Budweiser car and the Miller Lite car. It's a kid's ride! Ha.
I must have taken 100 pictures of the dads from behind holding kid hands or carrying babies. I guess we enjoyed seeing all of the domesticated animals at the fair. Ba dum bum.
Oh Benjo.
Matt's fair hair.
I honestly hate this picture of me. My hair fell all stringy-like on my forehead when I took of my sunglasses and then there's my weird shirt. And I was all fair-ey by the end. But everyone else looks so darling I'm swallowing my pride. Plus, Matt has horns.
I guess Spencer knew I felt a little insecure about that photo. Thanks. (And yes, Mardee really looked that darling and stylish and fresh the whole time. She really brought class to the fair.) Don't confuse Mardee with the other redhead with glasses walking by.
We love you Clives. Please let's be related some day! (Here are a few more pics of the kids while still in Chicago.) I say next time we get together we do formal couples shots. Just in case.
(What you can't see is that Jacob is in his underwear at the park. We're close.)
