Six Little Pumpkins

Last night we carved pumpkins in anticipation of the party we're hosting on Friday. Shaun and Stuart were over, and Joshua even joined in the fun. We ended up with six pumpkins that will be lighting up our front step tomorrow evening. Stuart gets the award for most impressive, a Superman S (because I love letters!), created with a power tool. I get the prize for speediest, completing three pumpkins. Shaun wins for being willing to prep the most pumpkins. Thanks for scooping all those seeds! Joshua wins for participating in a craft project for the longest amount of time in his life, and I think, even enjoying it a bit.

So, if you're driving around Peoria tomorrow night and happen upon this lovely collection of welcoming pumpkins, come on in. Free food and beverages!

Pumpkin Patch

Shaun and I had a nice time carving pumpkins last year, but I waited too long to buy. Last minute, I was scrambling, searching grocery stores, until I finally found two at Lowe's. This year, no procrastinating. We went to a real pumpkin patch yesterday, planning to buy three pumpkins, one each for me, Shaun, and Stuart. (Joshua hates Halloween couldn't be talked into carving last year.)

Upon arriving at Ackerman Farms in Morton, we were quite impressed with the giant assortment of pumpkins and gourds. Instead of coming home with three, five items found their way into our wagon. It was a beautiful day, over 80 degrees, and just very fun to wander around and look. We will definitely go back next year.

Winner, winner...

Chicken dinner!

Grandma Norma called me up yesterday after work and asked if Shaun and I would want to meet at the Jubilee Cafe for dinner. So, last minute, we drove on out to exit 82 and met her and Grandpa for chicken and pie. Gotta love a restaurant where none of the sides are truly vegetables, and the one labeled "vegetables" ends up being corn. Shaun and I had a good chuckle over that. The chicken was quite tasty, and I would go back for sure. It was great to see Grandma and Grandpa, and they also brought a big basket of apples ready to be cut and frozen for winter pies. Fun night!

Time for a Trim

We went to Monticello yesterday to visit family. While we were there, Joshua's grandpa gave him a haircut in his garage barber shop. The last few years I've taken over the hair cutting, but before that, Grandpa was always in charge. Thinking of his barber shop (still open to the public, if you're interested) always makes me smile. Surrounded by old sheriff election signs, pictures of police dogs, and a vintage barber chair, it's quite the cozy place. It's also the only place I can think of to get an $8 haircut while petting a Golden Retriever.

In other news, we still haven't seen baby Ava. She's in the NICU for another week at least and is only allowed limited visitors. She's doing well, but isn't able to hold her own temperature yet.

Happy Birthday Joshua!

I'm a bit tardy in posting Joshua's birthday pictures. Birthday weekend events included a trip to Dairy Queen, always delicious, homemade pumpkin pie, and out to dinner at Johnny's with my parents. The majority of Joshua's birthday presents were paintball items. Who knew a person needed so many things to play? So far, he has been enjoying paintballing and being 28.

Should I be concerned that his love for me is "All Talk," according to the love tester at Dairy Queen?

Happy Birthday Ava!

My first little niece baby was born today. We love you Ava! Can't wait to meet you next weekend.

Will Work for Big Wheel

Shaun and I were busy this weekend with baby shower preparations. The mother-to-be is the sister of one of Shaun's college friends, and we got involved because Shaun's friend (and party planner) lived out of town and needed some help. I'm not really a baby shower fan, but I do enjoy a good floral arranging project.

The theme was Born to Be Wild, including hot pink and zebra print decorations. After much planning and searching for just the right flowers at several Peoria grocery stores on Friday evening, here is how they turned out.

Super adorable. The animals are puzzle pieces from a Melissa and Doug puzzle, and the vases are fabric-covered orange juice containers. Our reward for all of our hard work? A big wheel from Kroger (delicious cookie ice cream sandwich), purchased with the last of our flowers. Totally worth it! The roses and daisies came from Fresh Market. They were really beautiful and very reasonably priced. The filler flowers all came from Kroger. A very fun project, indeed.