The Josephs Family: My little curds!

Ahhhhh... Cheese Days. I have so many great memories of the Cheese Days I went to as a kid growing up in Monroe. This was both of the kids' second time at Cheese Days. (Mads missed in 2008) They were both big enough this year to have a great time!

We got out Maddie's shirt that we purchased at the 2010 Cheese Days... it's still too big! We put it back in the drawer, maybe next time? :)

On Friday afternoon we headed down to the Square with Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Marie, first to pick up our race packets, and secondly to wander around and see what was going on. The first snack of the festival was a yummy twist ice cream cup from the dairy producers. YUM!

Then it was off to the kids area.

Fun with cut-outs!

The apples of my eye! :)

Playing in the corn box

While we were waiting for the Children's Parade to start Wedgie came by. Nathan was super excited to give Wedgie a hug.

Mads was a bit reluctant, but did end up coming over for a picture too.

Polka with Grandpa Jeff!

We stopped by the big pirate ship on the Courthouse lawn.

Here it is - The number one best part of Cheese Days - the CHEESE CURDS! :)

Watching the Children's Parade from Grandpa's shoulders:

Poor Nate fell asleep during the Children's Parade.

Saturday started off with the big Cheese Days Chase! Mads ran in the kids run, which went around Spring Square. Here she is before the race:

Look at her go!!

She got a finisher's ribbon! Great job Mads!!

After the kids run the 5K and 10K runs started. I ran the 5K with Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Marie. Uncle Jakey ran the 5K too, but much faster than we did! :) The running crew after finishing:

We headed home to shower and then returned to the square to ride the rides at the carnival with Gramma Jackie!

First up was driving the car:

Those look like some serious driving faces!

Time for the carousel:

Happy Boy!

Helicopters!

After the rides it was time for games!

Mads really wanted to climb the ladder. She got up pretty far!

The classic Pick A Duck:

Then it was darts. The gentleman working the booth was very nice to the kids. He started them out on their knees at the back of the counter.

Then he let them move forward to the front of the counter:

And then he finally just let them come over the counter and pop the balloon of their choice by hand. Thanks to that guy for making the game fun for them!

We made a stop in the Fun House. Nathan got stuck in the balls so I had to go in and save him. Mads wondered why we didn't get a picture of that! :)

Mads wasn't afraid at all!

Goldfish toss. (I'm secretly glad she didn't win!)

Look at this strong kid!! She won a giant blow-up hammer at this game.

While the kids were riding the rides and playing games I was able to catch up with some great friends, Mike & Melissa! We were missing Matt, though.

Uncle Jakey came by the carnival to ride a few rides with the kids. They did the Tilt-A-Whirl, or as Nathan calls it "More Spin!"

and the carousel:

Then it was time for lunch. Mads enjoyed a corn dog on a stick.

While I enjoyed this delicious cream puff!

After our lunch we headed back to Gramma J's house for naps. Around 5:30 Mads headed over to Honey's house as they were having a special Girls Only sleepover.

Nathan stayed with Gramma J and played around 1,232,543 games of Shut The Box before bed.

I headed downtown with Kim & Jake. We hit up the Curd line while it was decently short. Look at this - Jake stealing curds from my tray!

We hit up the various beer tents around the square. At the Minhas tent I found Mike again, and then when we were at Suisse Haus we ran into our old roomie, Krissy!! Sooooo many memories!

Kim and I enjoying our giant beverages, practicing for Mexico! :)

Sunday was the big day - PARADE DAY! We were lucky enough to be able to find front-curb seating at Jake's cousin's house. The kids were ready to snag lots of candy!