Pumpkin Patch Trips

We headed out to Linder Farms for our annual pumpkin patch trip.  I sure love this time of year when the leaves are changing, the cool crisp air sets in and the smell of fried doughnuts is in the air



Sophie loved the corn kernel pit

Grandma Deb and Papa Jim usually join us; Papa Jim wasn't able to make it this year

Apparently there isn't an age limit for riding on the swings; Sophie joined in on the fun

Allie loves the thrill of rides just like her mom

Sophie wasn't quite sure what to think about her ride on the swings

We hoped on the wagon train and pretty much had the whole ride to ourselves

Allie loved running through the corn maze

We had to make another stop into the corn kernels for Sophie before we went home

We took another trip out to the other pumpkin patch too one morning. We joined some friends and their preschool group and headed out to the Farmstead

The girls were able to ride Greta the cow

The girls each got to pick a pumpkin

We played on the jumping pillow

The girls got their picture on the giant rocking chair.  It was a beautiful fall morning!!!

Hansen Boy Baby Shower

My awesome sister and sister-in-law through me an adorable baby shower in preparation for our little guy.  It was so much fun to sit around and eat the yummy food and be spoiled my great friends and family.  We are so excited for this little guy to come.  Having this shower made it more of a reality that the time was coming fast.  It's always nice after a shower to be able to figure out what you need to go and get for the finishing touches before the baby arrives. 

The cute pennant banner that Katie made along with the coordinating balloons

The darling table that was decorated so cute

Cute chalkboard with rag tie banner



The food each had a cute little chalk board label next to it.....the chips were bagged up in cute chevron bags



The fruit salad in orange polka dot cups

The yummy cupcakes



The beverage table

Yummy orange punch and the vintage glass bottles

There was a game table with lots of fun activities to occupy the guests....you could sculpt a baby out of play dough, write a message on a diaper, or answer some questions about the baby

The cute favors-Paperwhite bulbs the guests could take home to watch bloom

Me and my great hosts-Katie and my sister Lara....love you girls!!!  Thanks for hosting me such a fun shower!  

Allie's Hello Kitty Birthday Party

Allie has never officially had a "friend" party.  She was so excited to get to pick the activity and friends that were to attend her Hello Kitty Birthday.  She ended up choosing to have a Build A Bear Party; the Build A Bear Shop also had some connection with the pizza restaurant close by so we took the kids to pizza after Build A Bear. 

Allie and I showed up to the pizza place before the party started.  They let us decorate the table and set everything up before the party began

We met all her friends back at the Build A Bear Workshop.  We were assigned a party host who was fantastic.  All the kids got a budget and were able to pick out the stuffed animal they wanted and then we got to work.  The kids all hopped over to the stuff machine

Once their bears were stuffed they had to "make a wish" on the hearts that were to be placed inside the stuffed animal

Getting the bear all clean and fluffed up

Everyone enjoyed the bath station

The kids and all of their stuffed animals

Following the party at Build A Bear we headed back to Old Chicago for pizza and cupcakes

All the kids enjoying their cupcakes

Allie and Owen

Jay and Avery

Allie opening up presents

My big 6 year old!  Happy Birthday Allie girl!  Thanks for being such a great kid!  We are so blessed to have you as our oldest in the family!!!

Day 10-GG's Party

Our final day arrived; GG was hosting a family reunion for all of my dad's cousins, aunts, uncles, etc....lots of people that we didn't know.  It's a tradition my grandma always does when we go visit so they can see my dad and whomever else is out from the West

One last morning for the girls to enjoy feeding the turkeys

The girls out back at GG's.  I just love my grandma's backyard

The little cousins had fun playing all afternoon.  We set up a volleyball net for the kids and whipped out the parachute  

Me and my cousins had fun wandering around my grandma's backyard reminiscing about how it used to be and the fun we used to have in the pond.  We actually found the old row boat we used to take out to the pond

The cousins enjoying the smorgasbord of food

GG visiting the little girls at their table

My grandma wanted her windmill to start working again.  The vines had gotten so tangled up and grown so tall they were preventing the wind mill from turning.  My awesome husband and cousin worked together to cut down the vines.  I watched as my husband climbed higher and higher hoping he wouldn't take a wrong step and fall.  The were able to successfully clear all vines and made my grandma's day

The girls getting ready to drive away in the tractor.  If Sophie would have been left any longer she would have figured out how to turn the thing on and would have been cruising around by herself

Papa taking the kids for one last spin out at GG's.  We were so sad to see this trip come to an end.  We always have such a great time out in Michigan and are so grateful for all our wonderful family that is back there.   Until next time in 2014 when we get to celebrate GG's 90th!!!