Beyond 100 Parks #117 - Southwood Green Park - Plymouth, MN

This was a chillier visit, but we bundled up.

Key Features

Most the parks we've been to recently have been newer ones.  It was a little refreshing to have an older one.

There was a basketball court between the main structure and swings.  Esme was bummed we forgot our ball.

Small and dated, but still 6 swings.

Emma's Bridal Shower

Our good friend, and pastor's daughter, Emma, is getting married soon.  I helped host a bridal shower with her sister Anagrace on Friday.  We did pretty simple autumn decor and light snacks.

Emma is a little more low-key so I didn't go all out with games like I did for Anagrace.  We had a "guess the age" game first.

The we followed up with "oldie, but goody" toilet paper wedding dresses.

Emma's fiance, Andrew, joined us as well and got to be one of the models.

His grandma helped put the finishing touches on it.

Maddie's team took the crown as winners.

I also had fun making a bridal MadLib that turned out so funny!  "Schoogling" is my new favorite word.

Congrats Emma, we are so excited for you and Andrew!

Owl City at The Uptown Theater

Jimmy and I got a night away to see one of our favorite bands, Owl City.  We stopped at Wild Bill's for dinner before heading to Uptown.

The service was a little rough, but the food was delicious.  Jimmy had a pulled pork sandwich and I got the appetizer sampler.

We arrived just 35 minutes before show time, but the line was wrapped all the way around the block.

The line went pretty quick and we were able to get to our seats in time for the show.  Something I love about Adam's shows is that they are truly all ages.  We saw kids and seniors alike enjoying themselves.

Augustana was the opening act.  While formerly a multi-person band, it's just one guy now.

Adam came on and gave a killer performance.

Can't wait for the next one!

Trunk or Treat - Cornerstone Church Crystal

Esme decided what all of us would be for Halloween this year.  She decided on a Mario theme.  Parker as Mario, Jimmy as Luigi (because he's taller), and myself as Bowser.  She was waffling between Princesses Peach and Daisy and settle on Daisy.  My costume was the only one I made this year.  I order a yellow sweatsuit then added a felt tail, hair, and horns.  I made spikes from styrofoam covered with aluminum foil.  Finally the shell, this was the most work.  I carned some foam padding in to the shape, covered it with felt and added the border and spikes with more felt and stuffing.  I used the drawstrings from the sweatsuit to tie the shell on sho it could be easily removed while driving.

Our first event was Trunk or Treat at church.  Before we left, Parker wanted to take a bike ride.  I wish I had a better picture of Bowser on a scooter chasing after Mario on a bike.

We did manage to get one good family picture when we arrived.

Our church as really leaned in to this even as one of our biggest outreach opportunities of the year.  Lots of bounce houses, carnival game, and over 40,000 pieces of candy this year.  There were over 1000 kids, not counting adults.  We came in the second half which I thing helped to beat some of the rush.

Twins!

Our friends, Sherry and Ryelle, made a Nemo themed trailer in honor is Esme's upcoming play.

One more trip in the bounce houses before heading out.

Jimmy and I went to concert that evening and the kids spent the night at Grandpa and Nana's house.  My mom took them to a Halloween party and wore my Bowser costume!

Looking forward to more Halloween fun.