We've got ANTS!

 Look what came in the mail today!

 The bottom of the package says "Live Creatures Open Immediately"

I would've loved to see the mailman's face when he read that!

 This was our look as Daddy was putting together their farm.

 At first Madi was a little scared but here she is holding the vial of ants.

 Adding the sand and water . . .

 The directions said to put the vial of ants in the fridge for 15 minutes to settle them down before transferring them to the farm.

 They looked still and asleep.

 But from the picture above to the picture below . . . was CHAOS! 

Half the ants woke up and ran for it!

Matt used the stick that came with the farm and got them all back in.  But it was CRAZY!

 Madi said she could look at the ants forever!

 The directions said it will take about 24 hours for the ants to start digging tunnels.

I can't believe the Heiders are proud owners of ants now!

Uncle Rod Turns the BIG 4-0!

 Uncle Rod and all the kiddos!

 My sweet family!

 I don't think either one of them was ready for this picture but since it has Uncle Rod wearing our "40" stickers I had to use it!

 Since Grandma and Grandpa Mayberry missed Madi's party she had a gift to open as well. 

 My sweet Maci who I don't get to see as much as I'd like to anymore!

 We also celebrated this guy too!

 Simultaneous gift-opening!

 Madi on her birthday gift!

This bean bag chair is perfect for her TV room!

Birthday Playdate!

 We counted all of Madison's Halloween shirts and since she has 8 to wear we started on Monday of this week and can make it until Wednesday next week then on Halloween Day they get to wear their costumes to school. 

Monday

 Tuesday

She wasn't too happy this morning about wearing jeans that aren't tapered.  :)

 Wednesday

 We met Madi's friend Adyson and her mom and sister at Chickfila after school to have a birthday playdate.  Adyson's party was at the same time on the same day as Madison's party.  So her mom and I decided we would meet for a mini-birthday for the girls and exchange gifts.  Sadly, Adyson got sick about 15 minutes in and they had to leave.  At least they exchanged gifts at the beginning!

 Thursday

Thursday was Matt's 35th birthday and although we did celebrate it I didn't take any pictures.  :(

 Friday

 Spider BOW!

 Pretending to drive my car!

 Crazy hat!

 Busy weekend ahead!

Us & Outtakes

Since we were all dressed Saturday afternoon I set our camera's timer to snap a few pictures.

Then Madi took a picture (or 20) of us.

 

 And here are the best ones . . . 

The outtakes as I tried to position the camera just right.

 Look closely at the FLY above my right eye.  

It just stayed there!

 Until I finally had to swat it off!

 At least we got one good picture!

Plus the outtakes are better than the real thing any day!

Birthday! Festival! Octoberfest!

 Monday morning was cloudy and rainy!  My favorite weather.

 Tuesday

 I had a meeting Tuesday afternoon so Madison went home with Hudson.  His mom, Miss Amy, sent me this adorable picture of them playing play-doh.

 Wednesday

I told Madison that today was the last day she would ever be 5 years old!

 Good Morning our sweet six year old!

 She woke up to six balloons in her bedroom.  Of course, we moved them to the dining room for breakfast.  :)

Thursday was Cooper Pirate day at school so we wore a school shirt!

Matt and I joined her for lunch and brought Chick-fila. 

 Friday

 Friday evening was the Fall Festival at church. 

We met Maisen and her mom there.

 Aunt Shelle came along too.  They had a neat guy making balloon animals, balloon swords, etc.

 Tinkerbell and her dog!

 Pumpkin Princess

 Every room had a fun game in it. 
Darts!

 A cake walk!

 They had 6 bounce houses and a photo booth in the main room too.

We had such a good time with family and friends! 

Saturday evening we were invited to an Octoberfest celebration at Dr. Johnson's house.

Madison, Margaret and Ling with Dr. Button

 Miss Elizabeth is Dr. Button's grad assistant and she's wonderful with kids!

 They served German foods, German beer and even German dessert (none of which I can pronounce or spell!).

It was such a fun evening!