Everything Under the Son

Tonight when Nathaniel came home from work, we had a quick spaghetti dinner, then cleaned up and headed out. We took a little family trip to the car wash to clean and vacuum out the car! Light tan upholstery isn't the greatest choice when you have small children...lesson learned :)

After the car was cleaned and a new air freshener placed, we made one more stop on the way home. You guessed it, we stopped for a sno-cone. Cheap fun...sweet fun...messy fun...F-U-N!

Saturday we had a family fun day. Nathaniel planned some fun for us, and we enjoyed spending the day together. We laughed a lot, and enjoyed hanging out together.

We started with a tour of the Dr. Pepper Museum! We saw the machine they use to wash the glass bottles, as well as how they fill them, cap them, and date them. They even showed us the quality control center and tested our Dr Pepper knowledge. Then we were able to walk through the museum to see lots of memorabilia and hear a little more about the history of Dr Pepper, as well as its local history. The rest of the gang enjoyed an ice cold Dr Pepper. I declined the offer, but did take one sip of Levi's...I haven't had one in almost a year, and I had forgotten just how sweet they are.

Then we headed for family lunch. We shared a meal deal, and all came out stuffed. It amazes me the out of control portion sizes we have grown accustomed to. We ordered the deal for two people, and fed all four of us with LOTS of food left over. I only ate half of my sandwich! But oh it was yummy :) Sharing is a win-win! Saved calories and even better, we saved money$$ !

Back in the car and down the road for more fun! We found a great little farm where you can "pick-your-own"! We spent over an hour picking yummy blackberries. The kids had a great time helping us spot the ripe ones, and plucking them from the vine. We walked away with two pounds of fresh blackberries...not bad considering it is the end of the4 season and there had already been pickers out earlier in the day. Fun Fun!! I am planning some yummy recipes with our bounty, and am hoping I can figure out how to make some blackberry jam! Anyone know how?

After our berry picking it was back on the road. We headed to one of my favorite little cheap spots for some looking around. It was great to scope out some possible Christmas gift ideas and enjoy the air conditioning! :)

Then we enjoyed some pizza for dinner and then headed back home. It was a full day and the kids came home exhausted. Who am I kidding, Nathaniel and I came home exhausted!

Since we are unable to have a true "vacation" this year, we are hoping to take a few more of these fun day trips, enjoying the fun that is close to us, and finding some treasures along the way. Next on the list is a cheese-making factory tour. They make the cheese from their very own milk from cows grazing right out in the field! What a great educational experience for the kids to see the whole process! We've been told its a great little tour, so we are looking forward to it, and hoping my parents will meet us for the fun! :) Hear that Mom??

Does anyone have other recommendations for other fun spots that are close enough for a quick day trip, and inexpensive? I am assembling a list and would love your recommendations! Maybe we should make a trip for a Storm Burger, huh Shelley?

Wow, has it really been over a month since I last updated here? We have been super busy enjoying the summer. With Natalie's broken arm we have had to be a little creative with our fun, but I think we have done a good job. We have been to the zoo several times, and we have frequented the library for story-time, as well as lots of other things. Just last week Natalie was able to get her cast off, and the doctor decided to put her into a splint instead of another cast. I am so thankful! It means we are finally able to do a little swimming. He told her she could take off the splint and swim as long as she was super careful. We have been twice, but now I am burnt to a crisp. Seriously, I look like a LOBSTER! We were out less than 2 hours, and I had applied sunscreen, but apparently it just wasn't enough :(

We have lots more fun planned for the rest of the summer. It's hard to believe that Natalie has just a little more than a month until she starts First Grade. Yep, First. Grade! I can't believe it! :)