Grandpa's Birthday Surprise

My mom called me a couple weeks ago and asked if I could make some cupcakes to surprise my dad with at work.  Of course I obliged and the plotting began!  I decided to make three flavors, including german chocolate, my dad's favorite!  I also made a bunch of 5s to put on the cakes since he turned 55!  I used all store bought cake and frosting to save some time, but had fun baking and decorating.

Funfetti

Spice

German Chocolate

 I work pretty close to my dad, so I was able to drop them off on my way in.  I was hoping for it to be a bigger surprise, but ended up having to call him because it was so early.  He was still in shock, but I think he enjoyed it!

 His co-workers didn't have any problem digging in and helping him celebrate!

Happy Birthday Dad!

***THIS IS NOT A TEST***

Date night was Friday.  Jimmy and I went to TobyMac's ***THIS IS NOT A TEST*** concert.  It was an amazing night of rock, pop, funk, hip hop and worship.  Target Center has never been a great concert venue, so I wanted to get tickets closer to the stage.  It was definitely worth the extra money!

There was an incredible pre-opening act. She is a new artist, with a just released EP, Hollyn. She has a great voice and is worth checking out!

Colton Dixon was the first opening act.  He was originally on American Idol in 2012.  He brings a great combo of hard and soft rock.

 Brian "B" Haley, the Diverse City drummer spoke between opening acts about We Are 1.  It is an incredible movement striving to Love, Unite, and Build a community of 1!

 Britt Nicole took the stage next and brought down the house!

 She made a trip around the floor and was just a few rows away.  Jimmy was going to reach out, but thought it best to leave that to the teenage girls!

 We stretched our legs and grabbed a curd canoe and drink during intermission.

 The rest of the show was amazing as well.  We don't go to many concerts (even though we just did last month) so I forget how loud they can be.  I felt like a bit of a fogie, thinking that it was a bit much...

 One of my favorite parts was when the crowd pulled out their flashlights.  I don't think I have been to a show in the smart phone generation, so it was a sight to see.

 Thanks for a great show Toby!

 We finished date "night" with breakfast at Hot Plate.  We went there with friends over a year ago and Jimmy has been itching to go back.  There is usually a decent wait on the weekend, so it was a great place to go without Parker.  The caramelized pecan pancakes were a winner again and I tried the chicken fried steak.  It wasn't a traditional country gravy, but was delicious!

Halloween 2015

Totally forgot that I started this post and never finished, so here we are, almost a week late! We had a great Halloween this year. We got together for our annual picture with the neighbor boys. The past couple years there always seems to be one that refuses to sit on the couch, but we do the best we can! Kasa is the Tiger, Odie is the Lion, and Parker is an Ewok.

Rollie was the cutest Peter Pan I have ever seen! I tried to get a picture of them all, but that wasn't happening! That's toddlers and preschoolers for you!

We stopped at my parents house before heading to trunk-or-treat. We did some reverse trick-or-treating and dropped off some extra candy we had since we ended up not being home most the night.

We went to trunk-or-treat at our old church, the same place we went last year. It was so much more fun for all of us this year. Parker is really starting to understand the process. I think it helps that he knows what candy is now, and loves it!

We got a ton of great comments on his costume again too.  After trunk-or-treat we visited Jimmy's dad at the hospital. Parker loved the cafeteria pizza and we had fun chatting! I was also excited for Grandpa to see him dressed up.

Parker has become very comfortable at the hospital, which is nice since we have been (and will be) visiting a lot.

We got home just after 8, so we lit the pumpkins and waited for any late trick-or-treaters. We usually don't get many and only had 4 this year.

I hope you had a fun and safe holiday! On to Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Pumpkin Fest

Our church's annual Pumpkin Fest was on Wednesday.  It is a huge Halloween event with food, games, candy and fun!  We were excited to take him, but were prepared for it to be a short visit.  Parker can get a bit overwhelmed in crowds and we knew it would be a big turn out.  He looked great in his costume and a ton of other kids knew exactly what he was!

 There were several inflatables, which he has become very fond of!  He probably could have stayed in there all night, but I wanted to check out the other activities.

We got a great family picture out of it as well.  I can't wait to dress him up one more time for Halloween!

Big Boy Bed!

We have been discussing transitioning Parker from his toddler bed for a while. Now that baby number 2 is on the way we will be needing it back to a crib at some point. We got a flyer for a great deal on a mattress over the weekend so I pulled the trigger. I was brainstorming ideas for a platform when I found an IKEA foundation with legs for $25 on Craigslist! What a steal. A friend was able to pick it up for me and my mom brought it to our house Monday night. I also got a great deal on bedding at Target with the help of a couple online promotions! I couldn't contain my excitement and had to start tearing things up! The first picture is his room before.

Here is his room after! There is still some additional decorating to do, but at least we have the furniture moved. I will probably move some of the pictures and maybe make some new valences. The crib is totally gone for now, but will likely be back in once the new baby has a decent sleep routine. Parker was a bit frazzled to see his room torn up, but loved it once it was put back together.

He kept climbing in and out, covering and uncovering.

I am excited to actually be able to lay down and snuggle if I want to.

Even Jimmy got in on the action! He secretly wants truck bedding now too!

The first two nights have gone well and he is adjusting easily to the new layout. Just another step in growing up!

Buxton-Herrmann Pumpkin Extravaganza

A few weeks ago my sister-in-law suggested get get together to carve pumpkins.  Jimmy isn't a huge fan of it, so I was excited to have someone to do it with!  We headed to my parents house straight from the birthday party.  Lindsay, Jayden, and Cody were already working on a skeleton craft and I joined right in!

 My skeleton was having a grand ole time!

 We started carving pumpkins next.  I have tried to get Parker involved every year (2012, 2013, 2014) but he hasn't quite been as excited as me.  He even started to gag a bit at the smell this year...

 The rest of us had a hay day while he ran around!

 We even broke out the power tools to make it go faster.  I have been a traditionalist in the past, but I may have to adopt the jigsaw approach.

My pumpkins are on the right.  A Rebel Alliance symbol from Star Wars and a goofy cyclopes!  I think all of them turned out great and I hope to make this an annual event!  

Have you been having any Halloween fun?

Bowling Party

Parker was invited to a bowling birthday party this weekend for his friends, Mitchell and Sophia.  Since we met most of his buddies at an infant ECFE class they all have fall birthdays.  It makes for a fun and busy season!  We got there early so we got to bowl a few rounds before it got too crazy.

Parker, Mitchell, and Sophia

 Parker loved saying "ready, set, go" and pushing the ball down the ramp.

Mitchell

 With a little aiming help from mom, Parker got a strike on his second shot!  That's the "X" on the bottom below.  Ignore the letters, the kids were just going in whatever order.

Simon 

Sophia

It got a bit hectic once all the kids arrived, but the parents did a great job regulating and helping the kids.  Parker was happy just running around and trying to walk on the open lanes.

 We tried to keep him off, but he kept going back!

 He eventually got a good scolding and that took care of things.

 Happy Birthday Mitchell and Sophia!  Thanks for letting us celebrate with you.  We can't wait to go bowling again!