Winner

YEAH!  We have a winner!!!

Thank you to everyone who left me a comment (or e-mailed me that they tried to leave a comment but couldn't figure out how to do it).  Just so you know, I really wanted to just pretend like I randomly drew someone but actually just pick my friend Alyssa because she said if she won I could keep the Reeses and eat them all myself.  But I didn't.  Because I am way too mature for that...or maybe it's because John told me I couldn't.  Anyhoo, all the names (including the people that e-mailed me) went into the jar and Katie picked one out.

AUNTIE DENISE!  You are the lucky winner today.  Actually, I am lucky too because Auntie Denise said in her comment if she won she would bring them on our church's misson trip to Mississippi and share them.  Since I will be going on that trip, I will get some too.  I think I will sit by Auntie Denise on the plane.

500

Wow!  Can you believe this is my 500th blog post??!  Pretty cool huh?  This is how little my kiddos were when I started this blog back in September of 2008.                   

                           

Aren't they precious?  They still are. 

Lots and lots of things have changed since then but one thing remains.  I love chocolate.  I especially love chocolate when it is combined with peanut butter.  SO, in celebration of my 500th blog post, I am giving away this bag of Reeses so beautifully modeled by my eldest.

Leave me a comment (it's not that difficult people) letting me know you read my blog and you will be entered into a drawing for these delicious bits of goodness wrapped in fall colors.  I will announce the winner on Saturday...I sure hope I don't eat them before then.

South Dakota

South Dakota has two things that I love...Culvers and my family.  My mom and dad picked me up from the airport and we headed straight for a Butterburger and the best frozen custard in the world.   

Look what Katie got from her Aunt Jen.  Pink cowboy boots!  She was pretty excited.

Another one of my favorites - Panera Bread.  It's probably a good thing we don't have one closer to us in Lynden. I might have a slight addiction problem then.  It's wonderful enough to get a Panera bagel and a cup of their delicious hazelnut coffee but having a Panera bagel and a cup of delicious hazelnut coffee with a couple of my favorite aunts is even more wonderfuler!

Katie's loves to get rides on Great Gramma's walker.

She loves her Grampa too!

My cousin Pete got married so this little miss got to do the whole flower girl gig again.  She's getting really good at it.  

Her and the ring bearer got along well.

Katie and the bride - my new cousin Shonci.

                                       

Katie and Aunt Bonnie (the groom's mom).

And Katie with Great Gramma.

After the wedding, we got to take rides on my Uncle Glen's new toy.  He calls it his people mover.

Katie got to ride with one of her most favorite people in the whole world.  She tells me every day how much she misses you Chase!

My extremely handsome cousin Ben was the people mover chauffeur.  Yes ladies, he is single.  If you are between the ages of 19 to 22 and want a guy who is sweet, good looking, a hard worker, can carry on a decent conversation, and loves John Deere tractors, let me know.  I am accepting applications on his behalf.

As usual, I had a little mending along for my Gramma.  

I got to see Rachel (and her new school and her new apartment) while I was there.  She is adjusting to South Dakota well. 

I spent a couple of days in Minnesota vising with my sis and her family.  Chase plays football now.  I don't think my mom is very happy about it.  We had to physically restrain her a couple of times because she wanted to race on to the field and hurt the chunky little kid on the other team who was pushing her grandson.

 Here he is...number 64!

 Katie wasn't much interested in football but she did love to play with her Uncle Kurt. 

Chase let her try on his helmet after the game.  

It's kind of a tradition now that the ladies in my family go out for supper together while I am there.  This year it was Olive Garden which of course we do have in Washington but I never get to go there because my hubby eats it at work all the time.  A big thank you to my Aunts Jen and Jan for being adventurous and trying something new.  Next year you guys can choose...as long as it's something I like.

 It was hard to say goodbye to Grampa and Gramma but Katie and I were pretty excited to go home too!

Thanks mom and dad for another wonderful visit.  I love coming "home" and getting spoiled by you guys.  I miss you already and I love you a lot!

Thanks John, Holly and Sam for letting me get away for awhile, for working together to keep everything running smoothly, and for telling me how much you missed me.  It's good to be home!

Bad Blogger

I know it's been a while people.  It's not like nothings been happening here at the Hiemstra House.

My sister and her hubby came to visit...

John's nephew got married.  Holly played violin...

and Katie was the flower girl...

John's sister and her family were here...

Actually, a lot of family was here...

All three kiddos had their first day of school...

We celebrated the kids going back to school...

We've been having lots of fun with Grampa and Gramma Hiemstra...

 More family...

Consider yourself caught up.  I'm going home to my mom tomorrow.  I'll be a better blogger when I get back.