Weekending, Part 1

This weekend was the first without obligations*, to-dos, or otherwise plans since the middle of August. That's right: we've had something going on every weekend for two and a half months. If I were a better blogger, there'd have been a separate entry for each, highlighting all the best moments with a few well chosen words and a smattering of pictures.
We can all probably agree that posting promptness is not one of my greater gifts.

Thankfully, stubbornness perseverance is. That, and a desire to remember this busy season of our lives, because while I'm sure life isn't going to slow down anytime soon, I am equally sure that even the best moments we share from here on out won't be the same as the moment we are in.

So, without further adieu, here are our Weekending Adventures, in brief.

August 16th
Family reunion at the State Farm employee park in Bloomington. Weather was a bit chilly for mid-August, but this didn't stop us from enjoying time with family and the gorgeous setting. Briefly contemplated a career move to State Farm so we could come any time we like but decided the mileage probably wouldn't be worth it.

Gramma, Pampah, and the two cheesers

August 23rd and 24th

On Saturday, we went to visit Mom and Dad. It was the first time we'd been to see them since their return from Kenya. Mom gave me some treasures from childhood (most notably, a Rainbow Brite puzzle and Fashion Plates), and we went out to enjoy some fantastic lemon ice cream. Ellie wasn't feeling great, but we still had a great time.

Full disclosure: this picture makes me drool

When we got home that night, I was flipping through the PetFinder app on my phone and found a little chocolate puppy that was up for adoption from T.A.P.S. I'd shown Josh probably 50 dogs before then, but when I stopped on the chocolate puppy, he said, "I like that one." I filled out the application, and less than 12 hours later, Yuna was ours.

Contemplating her new back yard

Yuna Cute Puppy Serrano

August 30-31

After stopping by the farm to celebrate Gramma's 91st birthday, we headed to Colchester again for the annual Labor Day celebration. Josh and I perused several what my mom refers to as "let me buy your junk" sales, ate copious amounts of kettle corn, took the girls to the carnival and parade, attended the tent church service, visited with my friends from high school, enjoyed a ton of family time, and came home exhausted and happy.

In an effort to prove that my blogging is not completely lame, you can see more pictures of that weekend here. 

September 6
Celebrated Arcadia's 5th birthday at the Rainbow Play center. The next day, we visited with Rita and Adam and watched the first Bears game of the season. They lost. And they've pretty much sucked all season. So it goes...

Elaina and Arcadia before the sugar rush crash

Teeny tiny big girl

At least we looked cute....

September 13-14
Once in a blue moon, the railroad company opens up the line between Chillicothe and Henry, so this year we bought tickets and rode the rails with Mario and Rita. It was a lovely way to spend a lovely autumn afternoon. The next day, the girls and I went to Dollar General for our annual "Daddy's birthday" shopping extravaganza, in which they each get to pick out 5 items that they want to give Josh for his birthday. That afternoon, I ran to Peoria for a much needed color and trim and came home to Ziggy Stardust (to which Josh explained, "I only turned my back for two seconds and I had to let the dog out and Ellie needed me." But the pictures, they do not lie.)

Him = wowza

Such wonder

Typical Ellie and Papa

Ellie told Josh she got him an "inja coworing book"

September 20-21

On Saturday evening, we had pizza with Stephanie and Scott. It was so, so nice to spend that time together. We left a lot of people when we left Northwoods, but I am so thankful that they love us no matter what. On Sunday, we went to the Urbancs to celebrate Emily's 2nd birthday, and a good time was had by all.

September 27-28
The girls had a sleepover at Rita's, so Josh and I went out for dinner and then capped off an ultra-exciting date night by buying him some new dress shirts at Kohls. The next day, the girls and I treated him to sushi. I have pictures of this somewhere, but I suppose words will have to do for now.

October 4-5
Saturday, we went to Fall Fest at Picket Fence, where the girls got to dress up, played several rounds of pumpkin bowling, tye-dyed shirts, bobbed for apples, made bracelets, and created corn art. On Sunday, Rita and I took the girls to see the new My Little Pony movie (an Oscar contender, to be sure). It was Ellie's first time at the theater and she did great. That evening, we went to Olive Garden to celebrate Josh and Rita's birthdays, and I had fun telling Elaina about her first trip there when she was about 5 weeks old. That particular trip has gone down in the annals of Serrano Family History, but thankfully, this time I did not have to retreat to the bathroom with a screaming child in tow.

The rest of our adventures will come tomorrow...for now it's time for bed!