Pumpkins for the Sparkles

On Saturday, we made our annual family trip the Beasely's Orchard to visit the pumpkin patch.

Lillian just had to have some caramel corn and enjoyed sticking her pudgy hands into the bag for another handful.
Pops was visiting from Florida and made the cold and windy trip with us through the fields.

We rode the hayride out the the pumpkin field- Madi and I loved hanging our legs over the side

while Pops, Daddy and Lillian preferred resting in the back of the wagon.

As the picture captures, Lillian was less then enthused for the trip- it was very cold!

She did however cheer up as when we found a pumpkin almost as big as her, and when Daddy gave her the bread from her sandwich to eat.

It was very difficult to find the perfect pumpkin.
Could this be the pumpkin for us?

Or these two?

Hey, I like this one!

I think we found the two winners!!!!!


We also went through the corn maze. We chose the American History Passport questions to guide us through the maze. It was very muddy but fun to answer the questions.

Which way do we go Madi?

Heading for the finish.



Leading the way


While it was a very cold day and there were a few meltdowns- but it was another great day for the Sparkman family.

Better then Chuck E Cheese

For a fun family night, we headed to Greenwood to visit the new Great American Pizza Buffet. Price of admission included an all you can eat buffet and a $5 game card- plus all games and actitivies were half priced.

Everyone found something to do.
Madi and Rob enjoyed playing air hockey

while I enjoyed shooting balls into fishes mouths

Madi and Lilli took a spin around the mini carousal

before Lillian headed to Baby land- here the rides were meant just for kids Lillian's size.

She loved driving her car and riding around the track.

More please!

Meanwhile, Madi headed off to play a few games of Skeeball

before taking a ride on the bumper cars.

Her favorite part (as seemed to be the other children's as well) was spinning around as fast as she could and flying backward into the wall.

Lillian took a short break from her Car to play the puter and then

tearfully rode the Gator- he was much more interesting before it started singing and rocking.


After a final ride and game each, it was time to head home to bed.
Can't wait for our next family night.

Stories in the Ottoman

Why sit on the floor, when you can sit in the drawer?

Mr. and Mrs. Meierdeircks

The day of wedding (yes, the real reason was traveled to New Hampshire).
The girls snuck away for a leisurely lunch at Beth's favorite sandwich shop- just a quick walk up the road.

Madi and I enjoyed some Mommy-Madi time as I painted her finger nails and toe nails for the wedding.


The ceremony was simple, elegant and totally Beth and Sean.


Beth and Sean wrote their own vows which they shared with their immediate family and a few friends at Bedrock Gardens.

They exchanged simple, matching wedding bands as a sign of their commitment to one another and a brief, unexpected kiss to seal the deal.


After the ceremony, Beth and Sean utilized the beautiful gardens for their backdrop of their photos.








Pa had been threatening Sean with 30 hugs (one for each of the guests present) since the invitations had arrived.
It was a classic moment to capture when Sean received his first "welcome to the family" hug from Pa.

Of course, Rob did not want to be left out and quickly "jumped"in.


Pa and "my" boys

Ok- hugging done, back to being manly!


In between shots, the guests meandered around the grounds and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Lillian preferred walking with Pa.


Sean being Sean and Madi being Madi. A picture worth a thousand words!


The sisters together.

Sisterly beauty

and a good giggle





4 generations celebrated this happy union.


Lillian was less then cooperative for the photographer, thus the unique Sparkman family pictures taken after the other guests had left with our own family camera.

Thanks photographer- Madi

Like mother like daughter

Madi says "oh NO not again"
Lillian says "run away"

Walking together- everyone is happy.

Everything is better with a Nuk and a chair


After the ceremony, we drove to Porstmouth for a scrumptious dinner.
The restaurant was directly across the street from the ocean and although it was freezing cold and very windy, it was a great chance to try for another family pose.

Oh the classy (and memorable) faces of Lillian




Beth and Sean opened their framed invitation (their wedding picture to be added later) from Nana and Pa after dinner.

Between courses, Lillian enjoyed playing with Daddy's phone and helping him to answer his calls.

Madi loved writing and drawing in her new Hello Kitty diary about our trip.

The Dorsey/Sparkman dinner table.



Congrats Beth and Sean.
Thank you for letting us share in your special day.

Many blessings and much love to you both.

Bath Do's

What better way to enjoy bath time, then to try out a few new do's?

How about a Mohawk?

Or just a plain soapy flop.

No matter what, they were all cute.