Pumpkin Carving

We got two HUGE pumpkins this year - 31 lbs and 27 lbs!

Ryan wasn't too sure about the gushy stuff in the pumpkin. Look closely at that big smile...you may see a pumpking seed or two. Yes, he was more interested in tasting the pumpkin than carving it.

Jason's pumpkin

Kim's pumpkin

Boo at the Zoo!

Today Ryan (aka Mr. Penguin) and I went to Boo at the Zoo! at Brookfield Zoo....several other characters came with us too....Mr. Giraffe, Mr. Elephant, a Fairy, Tony Stewart, two Bounty Hunters and Yoda.

In addition to all the animals, they also had other events - a giant pumpkin carver, hayride, Fisher Price play yard. But the best part was seeing all the kids in their costumes!

ISU Homecoming

We traveled south for ISU Homecoming this weekend. Saturday was a busy day....parade, tailgating, then football game. Unfortunately the 'Birds weren't victorious, but we had a good time anyway. Prior to the parade, we saw my former manager from bookstore, Jenn. Her family was there too to represent the Student Center in the parade. It was good to see them!
We had quite a crowd join us for the festivities - Kay, Ed, Eddie, & Jack came down to visit fellow Redbird Rooter, Amy, and my friend Dee brought her family (Bob & Austin) and a few others.

Ryan and I stayed to hear the band play at halftime (the best part of the game, right?) then went to tour the quad. The new College of Business building is beautiful and quite high-tech. Interestingly, it reminds me a little of a corporate office building - flat screen TV with stock updates, small conference rooms, interview rooms. I'm sure the students that attend classes there are smarter when they graduate than those of us who attended class in Williams Hall.

After the game, we headed to Springfield for the rest of the weekend to celebrate my Mom's favorite holiday - Halloween! We had dinner with my family and Ryan paraded his costume. We also went to Luer's - a locally owned shoe store, where Ryan had his feet measured and got a new pair of shoes. This is the same store where my brother took home a pair of green, Incredible Hulk shoes when he was 3.

Trip to Kuipers Farm for Pumpkins

We went to Kuipers Farm in Maple Park today to pick-out pumpkins. (same place that Angie, Doug & Abby went - we also had the apple cider slushie) We went to Kuipers last year on a Friday and had the place to ourselves. It was much different on a Sunday! They have all sorts of activities for the kids (apple picking, hay rides, haunted forrest). Ryan was satisfied to push around the Red Flyers that they have for the pumpkins, but next year he'll be ready for all the fun.
Here's some pictures from Kuipers as well as the pumpkins back at home. Also a pic of our new patio, which we've had since August, but I'm just now posting a picture.

Trip to Michigan

Last weekend we went to Michigan to visit my brother, Chris, and his girlfriend, Tonya. They bought a camping trailor near the end of the summer and invited us to go camping. So Ryan got his first camping experience. It didn't take long for Ryan to develop a love of the outdoors - he screamed 'ow-si' (aka - outside) anytime we made him come indoors.
We camped in Frankenmuth, MI, about 30 miles north of Grand Blanc, where Chris and Tonya live. Frankenmuth has strong German roots and is home to Bronner's Christmas store - 365 days of Christmas. Wow! The place is huge and overwhelming.
Frankenmuth has two large restaurants with Bavarian theme and they serve family style chicken dinners. We ate dinner there one night and the other night Jason made dinner on the grill - BBQ ribs. The campground had an indoor pool and other fun activities for the kids. It was within walking distance of downtown Frankenmuth, so on Saturday afternoon we took a walk and went for a ride on the Bavarian Belle, a steamboat.
It was a cold weekend! Luckily we had luxury camp accomodations (trailor is equipped with a furnace). Otherwise, too cold for a munchkin. We had such a good time that we may go camping again!