Buggy Days 2016

Buggy Days 2016 was a hot, fun, sweaty, crazy, success!! The boys had a ball, we enjoyed another year of our tradition, we laughed a lot, we sweated even more, and now we are beyond ready to welcome Fall! Beyond. Ready. Come on Fall!! =)

This year we didn't have any soccer games scheduled for Buggy Days Saturday so we were able to sleep late (PTL!) and take our time getting ready. I think we arrived in town around 10ish. Thankfully it wasn't brutally hot yet and we were able to walk around in comfort. It was crowded in areas and the boys got a little bored at first but we finally made it over to some booths and areas they loved. 

Not only was Barnesville the Buggy Capital of the South way back when, we were also the train capital. Just kidding. I don't know if the train part is correct or not but we do have a super cool depot/train station and the trains still run through town a thousand times a day. Ha. We stopped outside the depot for a family pic in front of the buggy. Notice the boys had already made a purchase by this point... wooden daggers. 

#boys #weapons 

They also climbed aboard their favorite caboose that sits right outside the depot. 

After touring a huge model train set up inside the depot, we continued our walk around town. (They have a "kids park" but we've opted not to participate in that for now... we'd rather not pay to end up trapped in one spot most of the day instead of walking around and seeing, shopping, and enjoying the whole arts and crafts festival.) The boys brought some of their own money and we, within reason, let them spend it however they wanted. They really enjoyed the sand art booth!

Later, after having lunch inside at one our fave pizza places, (we also enjoy eating inside at an actual restaurant during Buggy Days... air conditioning, a real bathroom, and food served to us at a table are just too good to pass up =)) the boys chose to have their faces painted. This typically isn't my favorite because it's usually a long wait and it's something super temporary since it washes off the same day, but they were spending their own money so we went with it. And I must say their faces turned out pretty cool. =) 

Shortly after finishing up at the face painting booth, Granna walked with us to the boys favorite "toy" booth and let them pick out more goodies. Layton went with a tractor and is pretty much in love. He's even been sleeping with it. =)

We continued walking/looking/shopping and decided on sno cones for the whole fam before settling in to wait for the parade to start. It was super hot and we were all sweaty and gross, but the sno cones made a huge difference! Those might become a parade watching requirement.

The parade is a big highlight of Buggy Days and all my boys love it. I had to steal this pic from a friend's fb page since I neglected to get any pics of the buggies...

Layton loved every second of the parade. It held his attention and I'm pretty sure he was fascinated with just about everything that came by. Especially the big tractors. #lovelanguage

He also LOVED the fire trucks. =)

Once the parade ends, we always head for home. Everyone is tired and hot and in need of some air condition and rest time. And I must take a moment to say how thankful I am that we live here now!! This is our 3rd Buggy Days back home and it is still the best thing ever to be able to spend all of our fun traditions, holidays, and family gatherings here where we live, without the traveling, the packing, the back and forth between our parents' houses, and the overall craziness. It's hard to believe we were away for 9 years. We are still so thankful to be home. =)

Saturday afternoon was low-key and we got everybody clean before eating Buggy Days food for supper at my parents house with Anna, Frankie, and Piper Saturday night. It was a fun way to wrap up our day. 

Sunday morning we went to church and then left early so we could head back to Buggy Days. We typically don't go back on Sunday but the boys were begging to go back and it's only once a year so we gave in. They had money left to spend and Garrison wanted a funnel cake so we went straight from church for a quick visit. We actually ate lunch there (the boys weren't a fan so we probably won't do that again, ha) and then went shopping at the boys' fave booth. 

#popguns #moreweapons #ohmy

We literally announced our arrival down the street. As in, we made a grand entrance everywhere we went and everybody around knew we were coming. Gracious.

We finally stopped the madness and made one last stop... for the infamous funnel cake! I thought to snap a picture after we'd already eaten a few bites. It was pretty delish. =)

Sunday afternoon shortly after arriving home it started raining... and it rained all afternoon long and even half the night. It was glorious. And almost every member of the family spent at least part of the afternoon like this...

Once rest time/nap time was over for these 3 we watched the Falcons and just hung out the rest of the night. It was one of our most relaxing afternoons and evenings ever. Thank you Lord for our day of rest. 

Shortly before going to bed I scrolled through fb and came across this jewel... 

I slept sooo good Sunday night. =) We enjoyed our Buggy Days weekend to the fullest and are so looking forward to Fall! We've been talking Halloween costumes, Fall Break plans, the pumpkin patch, soccer schedules, UGA's football schedule, and several other Fall happenings lots around here. Buggy Days was fun once again but now we are ready for all things FALL!!