This week brought the 16th annual Matthews Alive Festival in downtown Matthews. This gathering is the epitome of why a small town kick's butt. This is our fourth year here and consequently our fourth going to the festival. However, this the first time we have ever gone without out of town guest. Year one we took my friends Ryan and Jason, year two we took Aunt Julie and Lauren and Uncle Paul, and year three we took Papa Cows.

We headed into the fray at 11 or so today with two goals: get food and get Sophia on a pony. The food was easy as it only came down to which food would taste the best with the least amount of repercussions.  We ended up going for the corndog and what they call a Butterfly Potato. After gulping the food down in the tent provided by First Baptist Church Matthews - we were determined to get Sophia on a pony. Last year's pony ride with PaPa Cows was a no go - so we hoped that with a ride at GG's under the belt it would go smoothly - and boy did it ever. Sophia had a blast riding the pony that she named "Snickers". 

After we finished up with the pony (and after we convinced Sophia that she didn't really need another pony ride) we headed back out to the main strip. We decided to venture down the rides portion of the festival and happened across this train ride. After purchasing tickets Sophia was off on yet another first - her first carnival ride alone. She enjoyed it so much. She was waving feverishly with every turn. She had a blast. All in all a great day - and we headed home at 1:30. This, my friends, is plenty of time at Matthew's Alive Festival.

Oh and by the way - this is yet another ride that makes me feel that most carnival ride design is based on a dare. I give you "The Hog Drop":