Top Ten Reasons to LOVE the Great Kern County Fair

10. The option to ride an elephant or pony and have your picture taken

9. The pig, turkey and dog races

8. The art exhibits from the local elementary, junior high and high schools

7. The "Lights, Camera, Animals" show staring Hollywood's best, including baboons, even a Mandrill, birds, goats and dogs. Our own Morganne Hill, World's Most Devoted Animal Friend and Rescuer was selected as the star of the show!

6. The FFA and 4H animals, especially the laboring cows that no one I know has actually ever seen give birth. I think I almost did...once...I think. (Dear Cows, I wouldn't give birth in front of all those gawkers either)

5. The self-esteem boost you receive from hanging out with the carney's and the rest of Bakersfield's Best

4. The trampoline bungee jumping thing that Jaden finally figured out how to do flips on like the rest of the Hill cousins

3. Wristbands for the kids: rite of passage to all the rides as many times as their hearts desire, including the Tilt O' Whirl (a.k.a Teacups to Jaden). Jaden was the only kid I saw climb halfway out of the horizontal rockets before it actually came to a stop. He didn't try that again.

2. It's a Nilsson, Hill, Hicks Family Affair. We had 10 Adults and 13 kids with us. You would be amazed at our coordination!

1. REALLY, it's all about the FOOD...ready?:
Baked potatos and yummy yams from the Boys Scouts of America Booth, apple
dumplings from Teen Challenge, fresh taquitos garnished generously with fresh guacomole, funnel cakes, deep fried twinkies, frozen bananas and homemade corndogs.

YES, besides the twinkie, this was all consumed, by me, in one afternoon. Our planning was very strategic so that we could fit it all in.

The good news: I didn't eat every item all by myself (with the exception of the corn dog) but I enjoyed every bite!! We also drank lots of water, which I always think helps...a little.

This should serve as proof to my family that my whole foods eating practices are not too finatic!!