Poppy's 90th

Some occasions (like the ones you might only enjoy once in a lifetime) are extra special. Celebrating 90 years with a grandparent and all your family is one of those sweet times. In November, we drove to Arkansas to have a big 90th birthday party for our Poppy. Marc was able to take a few days off from work which always helps make the 9 hr. drive there and back a little easier.

The party was in the large work shop of my aunt and uncle. Aunt Carolyn outdid herself with the decorations and food. The tractor/farming theme was so cute (though there was a little Razorback in there too!). All of my dad's siblings were able to make it to the event and six of Poppy's eight siblings still living were also able to come to celebrate with us during the weekend. We had lots of family there to celebrate a pretty special man. Poppy told Marc and me at one point during the weekend that when he looks at all the rich blessings he has been given in life, the only answer he has for it all is the grace of God. After 90 wonderful years of life, it is a beautiful thing to see someone still humble before God (though Memaw might say he is still ornery at times!).

She wins the "happiest baby award" everywhere we go!

And after 90 years of life and nearly 63 years of marriage you get this...

Happy 90th Birthday Poppy!

Happy Halloween

Isaac is napping and I am eating my way through his bag of Halloween candy so it seems a great time to share pictures of the big night of costumes and candy. Eli dressed up as Batman this year, Hailey was Elsa from Frozen, and Isaac was Mickey Mouse. We drove to Bloomington for the night and enjoyed trick-or-treating with the cousins. It was pretty cold but the kids didn't seem to mind. This is one of those holidays that it would pay to live in a warmer state. :)

Pumpkin Carving

We were pretty late with carving our pumpkin this year (and probably last year too if I remember correctly). So two days before Halloween it became a "now or never." I am so glad we squeezed this time in. The memories (and roasted pumpkin seeds) were so worth it.

I love catching moments like this. Eli is a great big brother. He has such a tender heart for all of his siblings. I think he was giving Isaac a pep talk about how fun it is to carve pumpkins. :)

Fall Fun

An arctic blast is headed our way so I suppose I should catch up on our Fall happenings before it is snowing! When the chilly days start creeping in I am reminded to enjoy the time outside because it will be coming to an end all too soon. We have enjoyed raking the leaves and a few last family walks before we will be home bound for the winter. The low temperatures are predicted to be in the 20s by Wednesday!

A brief recap...we took a trip to the apple orchard the end of September before all the apples were gone. Tanner's Orchard is super fun if you are ever in the central Illinois area in late summer/fall. There is so much to do! The kids enjoy playing on the playgrounds, racing the cars on the dirt track, taking a ride on the wagon, picking apples, and of course eating a snow cone and popcorn. It is a guaranteed great family day.