The Pumpkin Farm

Kasey & I took the kiddos to a nearby pumpkin farm last week. The weather was amazing albeit a bit blustery. Although, after today's wind, it would have registered as mild in comparison :) The kids had fun running around for a few hours and we were delighted to leave with a full dozen of cider donuts, which along with apple cider is, in my opinion, the quintessential flavor of Fall. No worries -- we shared with our husbands, a few!

WINNER: Weekend To Remember Certificate

And the winner (as drawn by my cute 2-1/2 yr. old assistant) is: LAURA (& Mark). Congratulations!

Blake & I have been gifted with a 'ministry partner certificate' to Family Life's Weekend to Remember Conference which we are unable to take advantage of. So...we're giving it away.

The certificate entitles you to attend a Weekend To Remember of your choice for $39 per person. It expires August 31, 2012.

To be eligible to win you must be (a) either engaged or married and (b) make a committment to redeem the certificate prior to its expiration date OR re-gift to it friends who will be able to attend the conference.

Check HERE for details regarding locations & dates for upcoming events.

Please post a comment by 8AM on Monday, October 25th to enter the giveaway and I (or my cute 2-1/2 year old assistant) will randomly choose a winner. OPTIONAL: Include in your comment HOW you found or WHY you read my blog.

Things To Ride On...

A Sphinx. (and Xander's newest cheese-y smile)
A blue rubber bouncing dog.
A crocodile.
And a carousel.
Quite the combination but Jonah & Alexander loved riding on each of them and many more! It is hard to keep up with these busy boys!

Fishing with Grandpa!

We had a fun family get-together this past weekend in Indianapolis. My camera battery was low, charger inadvertently left behind so the pictures are a little fuzzy...and there are none of the Plattner family who joined us on Saturday evening after a successful day of cross country running. Sorry!

I will be posting our adventures throughout the week. To start with, here is Jared fishing & grandpa's excitement at catching a fish THIS BIG (note the size of the fish hanging from his pole!) while at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.

Happy Birthday, Little Queenie!

Sweet Alea Cosette...

This is one of Alexander's favorite 'local' playmates. They both get SO excited when they see one another, often wrapping their arms around each other in where-do-I-put-my-head, please-don't-poke-my-eye out, whoa-you-almost-knocked-me-over kinda hug...and then they're off! :)

I love how this photograph captures Alea's sweetness.

And here are the two little ones holding hands while exploring a path at the Morton Arboretum earlier this week...

Fall/Harvest CookOut

Family.
Laughter.
Hot dogs (brauts & pork roast, too).
Straw bales & pumpkins.
Hayrack rides & games.
S'mores and MORE S'mores.
Childhood (and adult) memories at their best.

Cousins! Don't look so excited Xander-man! :)

Drew-by starting a new fashion trend...

I love this pic of U.Mike wrestling with the little guys...

And, just because I love her so much...me & my little sis!

RECIPE: Mexican Chicken Penne

I tried a new recipe this weekend -- and loved it, so I thought I would share with you. Called Mexican Chicken Penne (submitted by M.Anliker thru a local church cookbook).

1 pkg. penne pasta
2 c. chicken, cooked & cubed
1-1/2 salsa con queso dip (substituted Blanco Wholly Queso)
1/2 c. milk
1/4 tsp. salt
15-ounces black beans, rinsed & drained
1 lg. tomato
4 green onions, sliced
1/2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese (brick/block of cheese, shredded)

Cook pasta according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine the chicken (I used chicken from the freezer that I had pre-baked/sliced), salsa con queso/blanco queso, milk and salt. Drain pasta, add chicken mixture; toss to coat. Top with black beans, tomatoes, green onions & cheese.

Fire Prevention Week

I was running errands this past weekend when I came upon some major congestion at the local fire station. Upon returning home I told Blake, "There is an Open House at the F-I-R-E station that I think a little boy would like to see. Do we have time to go?" to which Alexander immediately replied, "I want to go, Daddy. I want to go to the X-S-L-V station." :) Here are some pics of our mid-morning adventure.