Iowa State Fair 2015

We headed down to DSM for our annual trip to the Iowa State Fair.  We had a really nice day for it and the kids were so excited to go.  As soon as we got there we headed to the birthing building to see all the baby animals.  There were some baby pigs that had just been born, so that was fun to see.  We were a little bummed though because there were no ducks, chickens or other birds this year because of the bird flu.  After the birthing building we headed over to the Iowa Pork Producers tent to eat lunch.

Checking out the baby goats

Baby pigs

Pregnant cow

Lunch time!

After lunch we headed over to do the "Little Hands on the Farm" exhibit.  The kids were way excited to do this.  Grace even tried it out, but needed a little help. :)

All ready to go!

Collecting their seed

Getting seeds to plant

Planting seeds

Grace planting

Norah planting

Grace figuring out whats going on ;)

Collecting eggs

Taking their goods to market

Grace with her egg, she wasn't too sure of the fake chickens :)

Milking the cow

Norah's turn

Taking their goods to market

After the Little Hands on the Farm, we headed over to see some animals.  We went to the cow barn first to see the cows and the big bull.  Then we headed to the horse barn, and we happened to walk in at just the right time as a lady had her baby Clydesdale out and was letting people come and pet it.  I think it was only about 6 or 8 months old and it was already so big!  Such a fun experience for the kids!  After the horses, we went to check out the swine barn to see the big boar.  Next we visited the sheep and then the avenue of the breeds.  

Checking out the cows

BIG Bull

Kyler and the bull

Petting the horse

Kyler loved this

BIG Boar

Checking out the boar

Seeing the sheep

When we had finished visiting all the animals, we headed over to the Varied Industries Building to look at all the booths.  Kyler also collected quite a few tattoos here. :)  Our next stop was the Ag Building to see the butter cow and ice sculptures.  Grace also finally fell asleep just as we were leaving the Varied Industries Building. :)  

Kyler with the cyclone

Olaf was one of the ice sculptures

Butter Monopoly

Butter cow

Sleepy girl

We then headed over to the DNR building to check out the fish and then walked to the 4H building to see all the projects the kids had completed.  Our last stop before dinner was the open arena where they were showing calves.  They all were "mooing" when we walked up toward the fence, and one was standing facing out of the fence.  All of a sudden he "mooed" and Grace did not like that at all!  She started crying and Erik had to walk away with her and she refused to come back. :)  We then decided it was time for dinner, so we headed to the Cattleman's Beef Quarters for our final meal before heading back home.  We had a great day and are already looking forward to next year!

Outside the 4H building

The cow that scared Grace :)