BAYFEST

1 Look who we ran into! Holly!!! It was her 15th birthday today! (She is Sam and Ben's babysitter.)	2 Looking up at the ferris wheel, waiting for our turn. "Wow, that goes pretty high, huh?"	3 Ben really not sure what was going on, but pretty interested in any adventure.	4 Sam checking out the ride options from a bird's eye view.
5 Our gondola. Fun to watch him take it all in. Quite a lot of action at the carnival! I was totally overstimulated by the time we left. Too bad Dave wasn't here to help win some prizes, too!	6 Look at this proud guy who rode the Dragon coaster all by himself!	7 Sam riding for a second time!	8 Woo hoo!
9 Now we're all three squeezed into a wee tiny helicopter. Ben LOVES helicopters and couldn't believe he was really in one!	10 I could NOT get a good picture of us!	11 Really, mom, seriously - another picture? We're at Ten Feet's concert. We happened upon this band at the library last year and got a virtually private acoustic concert. It was awesome - signed CD, picture with the band, the works. These are really good guys - so genuinely interested in sharing good music and giving young musicians a leg up in the industry. Buy their albums...	12
13 Ben drooling and taking in the music. He loves to rock out - some Metallica was playing while we waited for the helicopter ride and he was literally dancing and head-banging (big head bobbing around) in the pack! People were really enjoying him.	14 Sizing things up before gettin' their groove on.	15	16 Ben moves in to the very front row by the bouncers.
17 Now we're having - you guessed it! - a carnival staple...Sam's first...cotton candy!	18 First bite reaction. Hmmm...really odd texture, but it's sweet, so...	19 First swallow - going down pretty good now...	20 Back in for another...
21 Likin' it! Ben would have none of it!	22 But he did love checking out real helicopters. Ran right up to it and held his arms up for the crew member to lift him in. He is totally social and extroverted. Very funny to see how different they are. But as I remind any second-born who will listen, they are fearless this way oftentimes because they've been shown the ropes by the older child, who tends to be more cautious. Who wouldn't be fearless with big, strong Sam around to lead the way?	23 Hmmm...tank next mom?	24 Running to the Humvee. Smart Sam is telling me - "Hey mom, this trash can isn't for trash!" I was really impressed he made note of that before throwing the cotton candy tube in. Very good.
25 Learning to shaka atop the turret of the humvee. This Marine was so awesome about showing the boys around.	26 I wasn't going to include this photo until I saw the LEG poking out, trying to crawl out of the turret. See how sneaky? But there was a big arm holding him back, thankfully.	27 They had a good time up there, checking out the rest of the vehicles.	28 Pointing to "TACTOR!" Look at Sam, standing at attention.
29 In another 7-ton truck of some sort, in a little swing seat that hangs from the turret.	30 "Pree-cool, Mom" he says, in shorthand for "this is pretty cool."	31 Ben trying to figure out this equipment.	32 Ah ha! It's a phone!
33 What next? PAAA! ("Plane!") This is a P3, used to look for submarines. They drop sonic buoys in the water to listen. We went up and into this plane - crowded, not too comfortable, some sleeping racks and tables in back, workstations up toward the front. I hear it's cold and bumpy. I have a lot of respect for service member. We told all the Marines we came across that we pray for them every night.	34 Bye carnival! I got a little emotional leaving. There's something about a good carnival...the boys were bonkers at bedtime. Giggling and giggling and flailing their legs like ferris wheels...whew! Hope you enjoyed the carnival with us :)	35 We happened to run into the concert right as this song was playing - it's one of our favorites from their Everday album.