NEW PLACES WITH NEW FACES

I love trying out new places;

Especially when it becomes a girls night out!

Here are THREE great places

I recently went to...

Jeni's Icecream

I can't believe I didn't hear about this place before!

It is a local franchise that makes the most unusual flavors of icecream that are amazingly good.

The goal of Jeni was to make icecream less sweet and more flavorful.

HERE are some of the flavors.

Edamame

Sushi & Grill

We tried it out thanks to Leah (second from the right).

Who had a coupon for $50 off every $100,

making it a sweet deal.

The Sushi was really good...

my favorite is and probably always will be

California Rolls, though.

And who can't love a place with the name like-

Chocolate Cafe

A perfect place for visiting teaching.

Though they serve dinner, we went just for the desserts;

hot chocolate and more icecream for me!

I had to include a picture from last night, my marathon girls night.

dinner came first, then to Twilight,

followed by New Moon!

I got home a 2:30! I don't even know the last time I was out so late,

but we had such a great time & I loved, loved, loved New Moon!!!!!

HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES

IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS OUR FAMILY CRAMMED IN AS MUCH HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES AS POSSIBLE. IT WAS A TON OF FUN, THOUGH I AM A LITTLE WORN OUT. GRATEFUL WE HAVE A MONTH BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS HIT.

For Love of The GAME...

I can mark off my yearly football experience!

we got tickets to an OSU game on Saturday and it couldn't have been better football weather.

The lovely "Horseshoe" stadium has got to be one of the best places to experience college football, though I may be a little bias.

I was grateful we came with a few guy friends, so Spencer had people to talk football to... the whole way there and back home.

Can you tell how excited Spencer was to get his picture taken,

or was it how OSU was playing?

Leed's Farm

It's FALL...

and with that comes changing leaves, crisp air, and spending as much time outside as possible.

Our family had our first experience at LEED'S FARM on Saturday.

I decided to get my moneys worth and try the BIG ZIP. I admit, my heart started pounding a bit at the top.

Do kids under 2 ever smile for these kind of pictures?

Well, I don't think mine ever have.

I asked the kids what there favorite thing on the farm was--

Kayla's couldn't decide, she loved it all,

Avery's was the small zip and the bouncy bubble,

we all agreed Evan's was the corn box (like a sand box but with dried corn instead) and the tube slides.

My favorite thing, besides just watching the kids have fun, was the food; I am such a sucker for homemade yummy treats and hot cider.

Spencer seemed to love rolling the girls in the HUGE tubes, not really sure what they are called.

I do love these days!

Avery's Sweet & Sassy's Birthday

Avery turned FIVE yesterday!

After much discussion, we decided every other year we do a family party. This year being a family party year, we made an appointment at the fancy kids salon...

Sweet & Sassy.

(The only possible way of going here was to have a "family party")

The girls got a pedicure, manicure, and a princess updo: all with LOTs & LOTs of sparkly lotion.

Avery was in heaven and it was so fun to watch.

With her party now over, I wonder what she will have to talk about...

HALLOWEEN?

NEVER A GOOD THING...

Let me first start this post by saying, like most wives, I am not a fan of having my husband out of town. Luckily he doesn't go without us too often. I usually survive his absence by staying busy taking the kids places and getting projects done.

Spencer left to Philadelphia on Thursday night for some Endo classes. Friday was my first full day with out him around. I stayed busy seeing Kayla off to the bus, watching my friends kids, then taking Avery to preschool. After picking Avery up from preschool I hurried to the store before Kayla got home. In the hurry to unload the car and get groceries put away ...

I LOCKED MY KEYS IN THE CAR!!!!!!

My nightmare situation with my husband gone... being stuck in the house for two rainy days trying to keep my kids entertained. I know it is not that big of deal, there are far worse thing that could happen. I realize that many people have survived having only one car and wives get stuck home all the time. I guess the part that made it the hardest is that I wanted to get a long list of things done and I needed my car to accomplish those things.

I made the best out of Saturday; doing crafts with the girls, baking cookies, and keeping my house spotless so I don't feel crazy in a dirty house.

Last night Evan spent most the night crying. I don't know why, maybe his teeth that are coming in hurt, maybe he is getting sick, or maybe he is ready to have Spencer home, I know I am. Needless to say I didn't sleep much last. By 1 o'clock I turned on the T.V. and started watching "Never Been Kissed." I had given up on even trying to sleep.

The fact that I am even typing a LONG post, a thing I don't enjoy doing, must be a sign of some sort. Anywhoooo, I need to go get Evan to stop climbing on things.

Happy Days!

After this weekend I will appreciate my car all the more, as well as having Spencer around to help with the KIDOS.

Playing with Cousins

Cousins came from ST. LOUIS this past weekend to PLAY with us.

We ENJOYED the new LEGO store at Easton...

So many things to make...

and A HUGE variety of COLORS!

My Brother, along with Scottie, Parker, & Tommy

had a great time picking out all sorts of colors and sizes of Legos to buy.

I felt bad at the time I wouldn't let Kayla or Avery get any.

But by the end of the weekend after many failed attempts to keep the Legos off the floor and only in the playroom, I realized we need to wait until Evan is older to buy any.

Ahhhh... and this is my FABULOUS brother Rich! The Orthodontist, Children's Book Author, and Father to 3 Genius boys... and a little bit of a workaholic.

Lisa, Rich's BEAUTIFUL wife, is the kind of person I want to be in the kitchen, always cooking up something yummy. She made the BEST cookies:

1 c.butter

1 c. white sugar

1 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 c. oatmeal

1 1/2 c. Rice Krispies

1 c. coconut

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 c. Chocolate chips

Cream butter & sugar; add vanilla and eggs. Mix well. Add flour, sifted with salt, baking powder, and soda; add oatmeal, Rice Krispies and coconut. Make small balls and bake at 375 for 9 minutes.

(I don't know what our family would do without her and Spencer at Thanksgiving.)

Nothing like wearing out the kids with a little kick ball.

Rich & Lisa, Thanks for coming & visiting us!

Once again... here is Evan wearing his FOOTBALL jersey... Spencer makes sure his son is supporting OSU for ALL game days. Poor kids has no chance but to be a BUCKEYE FAN.