I'm addicted

In my spare time you will find me on http://www.pinterest.com/. My latest craft involved my hubby. He was thrilled....not.
I did have enough material to make a couple extra, painted or not, if anyone would be interested. And no, I will not be joining the craft show circuit.

Cake Overload

IT'S ABBY'S BIRTHDAY!!!

4 years old today, in school learning so many new things. Where has the time gone??

Abby brought in cupcakes for her school treat today (thanks Dick's Market), then after school we picked her up as a family and headed out for lunch. Eric had to leave later that afternoon for work and I had picked up a small red velvet cake (thanks Dick's Market) so we enjoyed that, along with gifts, to celebrate.

Saturday night we were invited for a wonderful dinner at my SIL and more cake with Eric's side of the family.

On Sunday after church we had a friends party, we combined Abby's birthday and my niece Audra's birthday, at Pizza Hut in Caledonia...more cake.

My parents have been in FL enjoying the sunshine and now they're home so we can plan another party....more cake ;)

The GangThe birthday girls!

Halloween

Between school parties, church parties, and walking the neighborhood on Halloween....we will all have rotten teeth. I can't believe how much candy we have this year.

The Saturday before, our church hosted a huge festival. It included indoor inflatables, snacks, games and prizes. After the indoor party, we headed outside for trunk -n- treat. It was so much fun. That night we attended an open house/grand opening for our friends new business. It involved more snacks/candy and animals!! We had so much fun. Anything that involves animals my kids will enjoy.

Monday morning I was able to help in Abby's class at school for her Halloween party, it was so much fun seeing all the little kids play games and make crafts.

Monday night we had a few friends over to walk around Moline for some candy. We just went down a couple streets, and the kids came home with more that enough treats. I couldn't wait for their bedtime so I could pick out the good stuff!

Abigail and Addison at the church trunk-n-treat
Abigail and friend Brian (and Jixer) at the Bella Kane opening
All the kids (and Jenn) getting ready to head out Monday night

Super Grady!

Pumpkins

I'm not sure why we didn't pick out pumpkins those two weeks of 'Indian Summer'?!?!?! Instead it was windy, cold and W.E.T. We go to the same place every year, nothing special but the kids love it.

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FMG

With these last few weeks of AWESOME weather, we had to make sure and take full advantage. We spent these last nice days at parks, in the yard, on our bikes and walking the neighborhood!

Last Thursday I took a trip to FMG (Frederick Meijer Gardens) with my sisters and the kids to checkout the Art Prize exhibits located at FMG. The only thing was, we never even seen any of them. We were too busy walking the trails looking at the sculptures, waterfalls, treehouse and making sure to hit all the things the kids wanted to see. It was a perfect day to be outside.

Payne Lake

We are blessed to live so close to an endless supply of great lakes.

Nashville

Our road trip to the south started VERY early Friday morning...up and out the door by 6AM!! We had a long car ride ahead of us with our destination being Nashville, TN. 6 of us in one vehicle. Myself and Eric, Mike and Jackie. My cousin, Jeremy (who works with Eric) and his wife Laura. We had a GREAT time...I cant wait for next years trip back.

Friday we made very few stops on the way down, a quick snack/potty break at a McD's in Ft. Wayne, then a last stop in Louisville, KY for lunch at the Chick-fil-A for lunch. Once in our hotel on Music Row, we cleaned up and hit the town!! There was a bus stop (free rides) a block from our hotel, so that took us to dinner at BB Kings. After dinner, well....we had some fun!

Getting on the bus, the first time for some of us! Thanks to a local for helping us get to where we needed to go.

Jeremy and Laura...cute couple!


Enjoying all the crazy people in Nashville

Saturday we ate breakfast at the hotel, then loaded in the car and headed 25 minutes south of Nashville to the beautiful hill of Arrington. Destination Arrington Vineyards owned by the county star Kix Brooks.

Awwww

After our morning at the winery, back in the car, we headed to the town of Franklin. Destination...Puckett's. Time for lunch and then shopping in the historical district.
Jackie waiting patiently for her lunch. Every trip I make to Nashville, a stop at Puckett's is a MUST.

After lunch we headed back to downtown Nashville for some shopping before we headed out to dinner and more night life.

Laura, the only brave sole to ride the bull at Cadillac Ranch.

Sunday morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel and then hit the road for the long ride home. Only one pit/gas station stop and then stopping in Indianapolis for lunch at the wonderful P.F. Changs

I l.o.v.e. Nashville. The vibe, the people, food, weather....Its a great place to visit.