Whew...we've been busy...

A beautiful fall day before the fun starts...

A busy church weekend, women's conference, children's party and

a hayride at a beautiful farm!

Daniel's pumpkin

Olivia's "Fancy Nancy" pumpkin for the book character contest.

Jeff hard at work designing the pumpkin.

The kids getting the goo out.

the final product.

Our "monster" cupcakes for a chili supper at Olivia's school tonight!

A Fall Break Vacation

It seems like forever since I last blogged. We've had phone/internet problems, a couple of sick kids and went on a wonderful, fun fall vacation to St Louis.

Of course we stayed with Aunt Paige & Uncle Steven - in their new house! They have done lots of work, it really looks cute. It has tons of potential and know they will continue to work on it for a long time, til it is just right.

We got to do a couple of fun things while in St Louis. Our most fun was at The City Museum in downtown S.L. We had no idea what to expect, which probably added to the fun. The museum is 3 stories, plus an outside area, of all of these crazy, recycled things to do. You just kind of find your way around as no maps are provided. When you first walk in, this is part of what you see...


These were huge fish and a whale you could walk through. If you look close, you see Paige in the first photo. The floors and everything was gorgeous - the ceilings had a white, silky material hanging from them that looked like fish scales.

We wondered around here exploring then went upstairs to find a big hamster wheel.



Daniel, Jeff and Steven decided to give it a whirl. Daniel couldn't keep up, and just kind of flopped on the wheel. Bless his heart, I was laughing so hard I cried.

Paige and Steven had a little bit better luck.

The man at the front door told us to be sure and check out the 3rd floor for the kids. Oh my! They had a blast running and sliding! Ummm, some of the adults did too - I just couldn't get photos as I was busy...


Around the corner some kids were getting circus training - no kidding! I thought the tie decorations were cool. Jeff thinks he wore some of the ties at one time.



Another area had kind of a circus/carnival theme. There were old pinball and video games, plus a photo opportunity or two.



Paige and I thought the gigantic underwear were cool!

There were lots of things to climb and do that the kids will have to grow into. I don't think we'll have a problem visiting again! The plane photo is an outside climb area - look closely and you will see tiny people!

One of our most favorite things were the slides. Kids of ALL ages were participating! The adults each took turns watching the kids so that we could climb up 7 stories of swirly stairs to slide down 7 stories of a swirly slide! We were dizzy at the end.



Thanks Paige and Steven for helping us have an awesome fall trip!

My Birthday Weekend

In high school, it stunk because I was always younger than everyone in my class. I was a year behind everyone turning 16....then in college, I was a year behind everyone turning 21.

NOW, I'm a year behind everyone turning 40!!! Hello 30's - one more year. Next year, it will be the 2nd anniversary of my 39th birthday, NOT my 40th birthday!

This birthday weekend was spent with my kiddos. Jeff is working (we are meeting him for supper at Cracker Barrel).

Saturday was spent at Octoberfest, where Olivia's Girl Scout Troop got 2nd place in the Parade with this....We spent a large amount of time at our church booth. We provided FREE inflatables for the kiddos and FREE water, popcorn and cookies for everyone. It was a tremendous success!
Today was Homecoming at church - where I got to enjoy everyone else's cooking for my birthday. Yum!! Daniel and Olivia sang with the kids. Daniel gave a performance...picking his nose...and eating it...digging in his pants...with both hands...and showing everyone his belly... If only his dad had seen it...
Before church they looked adorable with our fall decorations!

A trip to Amish Country

It has become a tradition this time of year for us to make a trip with Nanny...to see the Amish. It is neat to visit their quiet, simple life.

We like to dig our own big, beautiful mums - for $3!
We also like to check out the vegetables and goodies they have for sale. We ended up with a box of tomatoes ($5 for about 10 pounds), beans ($1 a pound) and a couple of pumpkins (at a huge discount). The kids joined me in the kitchen...freezing some tomatoes for winter soups and chili...and snapping beans.This trip definitely works for my family! If you have an Amish community close to you, take a visit to see what they have available. We have gotten furniture, a porch swing, baked goods and fresh spices from them in previous years.

Visit We Are That Family for more Works for Me Wednesday Tips!

2 Vinyl Projects

Quite awhile ago, I won some vinyl from Kari and Kijsa. I've just now gotten around to using it and I was supposed to let them know how I used it!

First, I cut a piece of the vinyl using my Cricut into a spider. I used the outline of the image and put it onto a tee for Daniel.
I mixed up some acrylic paint with some textile medium and put Daniel to work.

He did a good job - except I wasn't thinking...black paint...white tee shirt...3-year old boy...he got a little outside the spider...
But doesn't he look cute! And now I know the process.

Second, the winner of my 100th post giveaway wanted an "M" on her glasses. I simply flipped the image on my Cricut and voila...
Notice the darling silver bowl next to the glasses. My mom goes to a local trade day and found this for me for fifty cents! She had to clean it up some, and I love it! I'm hoping she will find more.

A Beautiful Painting and My Giveaway Winner

A sweet lady at our church created this painting of our church. We then had a chance to order a tile for our home. Beautiful!

My Giveaway Winner is Lisa at Moore Minutes. Congrats, Lisa! And thanks to everyone who has visiting my blog.

Happy Birthday, Jeff and My 100th Post!

Jeff, thanks for being such a wonderful father, husband and friend! You're the best - Happy Birthday!

While we're celebrating...this is my 100th post! I started blogging April 2008 and it has been a blast ever since. I don't think I have a lot of blog traffic, the most comments I've ever gotten is 19 (but I'll take them).

So, to celebrate my momentous 100th post, I'm giving away 2 unbreakable, Target glasses. They are square and oh, so cute. But wait, I'll also monogram them with vinyl I won from KariAnne and Kijsa!

To win, leave me a comment. It is really quite simple...choose comments below....type a comment....you can even comment as "anonymous" if you don't have an account. I can't wait to see who is visiting! Be sure and leave some way I can contact you.

From my childhood..."romper, stomper, bomper boo, tell me, tell me, tell me who...I see Marilyn, RaAnn, Michelle, Nancy, Hillary, Teris..."

**I'll pick a winner on Saturday, September 12.