Oreo Taste Test Party

After joking around with a friend...we decided to hold an "Oreo Taste Test Party" to determine what Oreo had the best overall taste, best texture, and best dunking ability. It was quite a success and I foresee another one soon; we realized after the competition we missed a few (Jewel brand and Meijer brand for sure). What was on the line-up: Giro, WhoNu?, Market Pantry (Target), Lil' Dutch Maid, Oreo, Benton's (Aldi), and Homemade. 

 Our little friend got to try a cookie for the FIRST time ever!! Of course, it was only the homemade one.

 Who had the best Oreo face? I think these kids were in Heaven!!

 Definitely the "Oreo Face" winner!

 This nasty spider decided to crash our party too. It literally fell from the sky right on Kyle's face!

 Tie between Oreo and Market Pantry

 Another tie!

Last Days of the Farm

We concluded our 3 week sabbatical at the Farm in Iowa. We spent a good chunk of the last week baking and preparing food. Nana's pantry is about the size of our kitchen so it was very tempting to fix bunches of goodies. 

Baking homemade Oreos. 

 Yummo!!!

 Reading books with Grandma B, same book I enjoyed reading when I was little!!

 Making chocolate chip pumpkin bars

 Miles wanted to snag a few chocolate chips. 

 Reading on Nana's couch. Can you see she took all the back cushions off. 

 The last day we "went into town" for some real excitement at the park

 Miles enjoyed sleeping in the Moby. Check out those eyelashes!!

 Little climber

 We then hit up the bakery and Lauren picked out a "little" cookie. We enjoyed this over several sittings.

 Next up was Soper Park and the beach

 The sun was starting to descend 

 Attack!

 Toes in the sand

 Rocks in the lake

  Baby Blues!

 Lauren said I had to take a picture of her treasure

Sunday School & 10 Weeks

 Lauren went to Sunday School for the first time last weekend. She kept telling everyone who asked if she goes to school that she does...Sunday School! Needless to say, she was pumped!! I told her to show me her, "I'm going to Sunday School face" and this is what I got:

:

 I then turned the camera on little bro and said, "show me your Lauren's going to Sunday School face" and he did the same thing...

 I chuckled since he did the same thing as big sis, so I put the camera back on him and said it again...same results!

 walking into the preschool room

 didn't even tell me goodbye, this girl is a social butterfly

 10 WEEKS!

Miles around 10 weeks helping with laundry

Lauren helping too! She was 4 months old here...Miles is a chunker compared to her :)

Grotto

Still in Iowa Pictures...We visited the Grotto with Kyle's sister Erin. The Grotto, the 8th wonder of the world according to Kyle, is a massive castle constructed of tiny rocks over many years by several Catholic priests. 

playing at the nearby park

 the Grotto

 For 2 hours, we heard, "Look at this!"

 Look at that!

 A cove in the "Rock Castle"

 The prime photo spot. I need to find my picture like this!

 Playing a game in the cafe

 Checking out the swans!

 We went back to Illinois for a few days and gave some gifts from the Grotto to our friends. Here is Tami busting open their geode.

 The inside!

 Gabby was impressed

 The unbroken Geode

 We walked back to our house in the rain the 3 blocks away. I let Miles sit with Lauren. 

Sleeping baby!! I never want to forget these moments!!