Cakes, tea shops, tree houses and hay rack rides!

We headed to Arkansas again, to see the kids for the 3rd weekend in a row.   This time it was to celebrate birthdays.  We stopped along 400 to get a picture I've wanted for a long time.  I wonder what stories are behind this house?

Arriving at Josh's 5 1/2 hours later, we found Josh and Elijah starting to work on the tree house that was Eli's birthday gift.

When Josh was about the same age, he and a neighbor friend built a rickety 3-story tree house themselves in our back yard.  It was probably not at all safe, but they had fun.  This one was going to be a lot sturdier and safer for sure.  Safe enough for Staci, Grammi and Beebop and us to climb!

In the evening we played Ticket to Ride with the family.

The next morning, Josh showed Al his plans for the treehouse and then they spent the day working on it.

Staci and I took Emeri over to her friend's home.  This house is one that was chosen for an HGTV segment on Flip or Flop and will be aired this coming month.

Emeri and her friends were going to do a cook-off.  Emeri is quite the cook, even making a groom's cake for a wedding!  Emeri is 13, y'all!  Here are some of the cakes she has made.

After dropping her off, Staci and I drove into town to a cute little tea shop.  Staci had a gift card to do a little shopping with.

You could sample various flavours.

This area was reserved for a little tea party for little girls.

We drove around looking at the fall trees and then into a unique neighborhood.

When we got back to the house, Josh, Al, a neighbor and Eli were still working on the tree house.

Later, Josh sent us this picture.  Almost completed.

Staci has the prettiest flowers on her deck.

Eli told his Papa that he wanted to make sure they did 3 things; sword fight, wrestle and have a nerf battle.  Check, check, check.

Time for a bonfire and roasting hotdogs!

Emeri made Eli a Lego birthday cake.  Emeri was going to have her cake and a sleepover with friends later, although we gave both kids their birthday gifts now.  Their birthdays are 2 days apart (and 2 years).

After cake we had a hayrack ride.

Eli's other grandpa (Beebop) drove and we rode in the trailer

while their neighbor "Uncle" Josh told spooky stories.

After the neighbors went back home and the kids were in bed, we sat around the fire with Josh and Staci and her parents.  We talked until late. 

For several years, our church put on Judgement House during this same weekend.  We were heavily involved in that so could not come to the kids' birthday celebrations.  We really enjoy this time with them now!