GWO 2010

Girls Weekend 2010 was a great success! This was the 12th year we girls have been getting together to enjoy a fall weekend together. This year we got to attend Kami's last soccer game and cheer her and her teammates on! Saturday afternoon we packed up the car and headed to Holland MI to enjoy the Holland Farmer's Market and the many unique shops along 8th Street. On our way back to Grand Rapids we stopped at Los Aztecas for a Mexican dinner. Once back to my house we got started on this year's craft - French Memo Boards. I'm amazed every year how amazing each person's craft turns out! Great job ladies. Sunday we gathered back together for lunch before everyone headed on their way back to their homes. It was great having you all here and I look forward to next year's GWO!  Here are some pictures that capture a small portion of our weekend. (by the way if you have other pics you wanted posted here for all to see please e-mail them to me!)

Giddy-Up

A few Saturdays ago our family went on a hayride with some families that Gary plays softball with (we call it the softball group). Even though the weather was cold and windy we still had a great time! I highly recommend Fruit Ridge Hayrides for any of you looking for a great fall activity- follow this link: www.fruitridgehayrides.com . The best part of the hayride is that the wagon was pulled by horses rather than a noisy tractor. Wiggle little Drew couldn't sit still on the wagon but once the horses started moving he didn't wiggle one bit for an entire hour! The kids loved to ask the driver questions and just watch the horses plow through large mud puddles, through corn fields and wooded areas. The farm offers more than just hayrides all of which are described on their website. We packed a picnic dinner and ate together under a covered picnic area that included many picnic tables. After dinner the kids played on the outdoor play sets which included a huge wooden tractor with slide and tractor wheels, swings, and round and square bales of hay to climb on while the adults gathered around a large (WARM) campfire. Here are some pictures from our outing.

The BIG 4 !

I'm a few days late but like the saying goes "better late than never", right? So on September 30 Rian turned 4! She was so excited and is very glad to now be 4! She feels like such a big girl. The day began with breakfast at Sandy's doughnuts shop on Leonard (best ever!) and then home to get ready for some special visitors, Maima (Dianne O'Brien) and Papa (Tom O'Brien). After opening some presents before the grandparents left for a trip to NY City, the kids played with the presents together. Later that evening we had a nice family dinner followed by more presents then some pink frosted cupcakes to finish off the day. Rian's big party was this past Sunday evening with the rest of the family (thanks to all who came). We are blessed beyond measurement to have such a wonderful daughter like Rian. She is a true treasure with the funniest sense of humor and wildest imagination. I just love this kiddo! Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.