South Africa makes 26??!!

Holy Cow, 26 countries down!  Can I allow myself to be super proud of my little family?  Okay, I totally am.  I spent the better part of last week helping my mom put together the amazing 1st annual Fall Festival at Jackpot Ranch.  It was lots of work, tons of fun, and turned out awesome!  I was lucky enough to have my wonderful Grandma-in-law to watch my kiddos while I was away.  We appreciate her so much and wanted to do something to show her, so I made her a Memory Jar.  I had made one years ago for my Grams and I thought that Barb would enjoy one too.  It's a great gift idea for somebody special and they are fun to make! 

Here's how: You write memories and things you love about your special someone and then fold and tie with ribbons or make into mini scrolls to fill your jar.  We had lots of fun remembering things we love about our G.G!

I don't consider my self to be a crafty gal, but I do like to do little things for Ayden's class on the holidays.  I usually put together little goodie bags with things like pencils, tattoos, and candy.  Here is a peek at this years spider themed baggies...

Adam and I made spider suckers by wrapping tootsie pops in black tissue paper and then added some pipe cleaner legs and googly eyes.  I even added a glittery red dot on the back!  We made a bed for our spiders out of candy corn and webs.  Here's the finished product:

I can't wait to drop them off!

Alright, I know, lets get to the point.  South Africa to be exact.  
Here is our Menu:

South African BBQ Chicken(amaze!), Cucumber-Zucchini Salad(so good!), Blue Cheese Biscuits

Everything was really good, who knew raw zucchini was so tastey?  Adam requested my biscuits which are just a package of Bisquick 3 cheese-garlic mix with a hand full of blue cheese added in.  They are a staple at our table and the perfect quick go to.  Delish!

Zoie liked it!

 We read our facts!

 

Did you know that the worlds largest diamond was found in South Africa?  It weighed 3,106.75 karats!  Now that's a rock!

On to number 27....Dad's pick - Mongolia!

Denmark & Dino's

Those of you who know me well, know that I love me some Oprah Winfrey.  I have watched her religiously and in my head we are BFF's.  One show in particular has stuck with me and I have talked and thought about it often.  The show was about happiness and the happiest places on earth.  #1- Copenhagen, Denmark.  Such a cool country.  Besides, what's there to complain about when the government pays for parents to have 52 weeks of maternity and paternity leave!

Here is a little clip I found on happiness and Denmark.

The down side?  They tax everyone at about 50%!

The best part about Denmark week was that we got to spend time with Auntie Alex and Papa Dana.  We spent most of Wednesday playing one looong game of the new electronic Monopoly (the kind where you have a debit card and you play with millions).  Then Dad and Alex hung out while my momma and I hit our favorite little theatre to see Spitfire Grill.

Alex stayed for a few days to watch the kids for me during fall break, she is the BEST auntie and sister, we all pretty much swoon for her.  She helped me make whoopie pies and dinner for country night.  It was kinda like having a sister-wife, which I am still convinced I need.  

We had Champagneskinke which is ham roasted in champagne (sounds way better then it was) and Caramelised potatoes that everybody enjoyed except moi.  I pretty much stuck to the salad that had feta, nuts, and dates...I was not much of a fan of Denmark's cuisine.  We read a few facts but we really wanted to show Alex our favorite (and nightly) dinnertime game, we use the cards from Apples to Apples, hold them to our forehead and try to guess what or who we are by asking questions like "can you buy me at  Walmart?"

Then I took the kids to the Museum of Natural History.  Ayden Fox loves history and all things space so I thought it would be a good way to spend our morning.  I had such a good time with my little chickens, I sure am one lucky girl.  Here are some pics.....

When Ayden and I got home from the Museum we got into our cozies, grabbed our laptops, went into his room, and blogged together.  He wrote his very own blog on the Museum, read it here.