Jackers is ONE!

So we have had a great week at Casa de Solinger. Jack turned one on Wed. We had the famiy over (again) for pizza and cake to celebrate. The little guy loved the attention and the ribbons from his packages. A great time!

Then on Thursday, we celebrated my Moms birthday! I took my mom and gee-gee out to Urban Grill for a girls lunch, then Mom came over for a mini party that night while we answered the door for trick-or-treaters!

The big kids headed to Altoona with Joey for trick or treat there (a family tradition). They met up with their cousin Jackie and had a ball going around Joe and Beckys neighborhood. Apparently they wouldnt go to any houses with Obama signs.....Jenny and Joey had the kids convinenced that those people would take their hard earned candy and distribute it to all the kids that decided not to dress up or put the effort into the holiday!! LOL!! They came home sound asleep and the next morning were still buzzing about the "really scary house" at breakfast.

Friday was another busy day and Jack had his 1 year shots. Oh it was horrible. I have decided to abandon modern medicine.....it just seems like torture to me. Our nanny Haylee was with me for the appt. and we both decided that not only the treatment of Jack, but the judgemental attitude (since I would not give Jack a flu shot) was too much to take, and I will be in search of a practice that is more in line with my philosophy. I am not an idiot, I know all about the flu shot- and I certainly dont need a lecture when I decide not to give it to MY child. UGH..... Firday night I got some bad news that Gee-Gee was hospitalized with Pneumonia. I had just enjoyed her company on Wed, and Thurs. She was fine so I was really suprised that it came on this quickly. She is stable and the staff at Mercy is taking good care of her =)

Today we headed out to Solingers Farm for a Bonfire. It was a blast. The weather here is gorgeous and the kids had an amazing time with all of their cousins. There was a hayrack ride, pumpkin carving, bobbing for apples, and scary walk in the woods (complete with Joey and Jeff jumping out the cornfields and making the kids crap their pants). Grandma and Grandpa live out in the country on a beautiful piece of land, and the stars were so bright out there. I just love Iowa. Im sure Im considered simple by modern standards, but there isnt anything better in my opinion then being out in nature surrounded by your family. I am extremely blessed to have married into such a warm group of people. The love that they have for each other, and the closeness between everyone is rare to find. It is so evident that they are a family, and the love is unconditional. Its a really laid back, relaxing atmosphere where there is always an Aunt of Uncle around to rock the baby- or a cousin to wrestle with. I loved living in Florida, and have often thought about moving from here someday, but when I am surrounded with my family it reminds me that although I love to travel, that Iowa is where I belong. As Joeys would say- "Im a simpleton".