10 Things to do this Fall Season

     It's Fall season at last, though I must say that it is just my second fave because Summer is still my first. I see all the pumpkins and mums all over. I can feel the temperature dropping, leaves are starting to change colors and pretty soon they're gonna start falling. It's BEAUTIFUL! During autumn, we always plan to do activities with our families. There are so many fun things to do,whether it's in your area or somewhere else.

Here are 10 activities to do this season:

1. Pumpkin Farm

          The kids are always looking forward to have their pumpkin farm experience every year. There's tons of things to do such as hay rides, bouncy, petting zoo, corn pits, hay stacks and many more. You can also buy your pumpkins for your decorations. This is also a great place to have a birthday party if your kid's birthday is in the Fall.

2. Apple Picking

          Whether you're a baker or not, it's good to pick your own fresh apples. Check out their website first before going to the place to see what kinds of apples are available at that time. While some farms are free to pick apples from the tree and eat them, they usually require you to purchase at least a half peck bag to bring home. Most of the farms also serve apple donuts and ciders. Yum! Some of them have activities for kids like those that I mentioned above. You can also plan to walk around the closest downtown in the area if you want to make it a day trip.

3. Botanical Gardens

        It's always great to go to any park or botanical garden during this season. You can really enjoy nature by walking or biking. They usually have a children's garden where kids can enjoy playing for hours. If you're planning to have an outdoor family portrait, this is the place to go. Check the park's policies first on photography. Some will require you to get a permit if you're doing the professional pictures.

4.  Fall Festivals

       Most of the communities plan a Fall event in their town. Last week we went to the Woodridge Fall Fest and the kids made their own scarecrows, rode ponies, trackless train and swing, jumped in the bouncy and many more, all of them for free. Some of the fests offer those activities as well for a nominal fee.

5. Octoberfest

        Do you like beers? This is probably the best place to go. One time I heard in the radio that some people buy several cases of beer to drink throughout the year. But if you're not there for beer, at least, go for the music and good food.

6.  Scarecrow Festival

       People can use their imagination to make the best scarecrows and they get a prize for winning the competition. Close to where I live, they have an annual Scarecrow Fest in the town of St. Charles. They have good food and it's a good place to just hang out. They even offer a bus to tour you around downtown.

This is how a PT and a patient scarecrow look like

7.  Fright Fest

       If you haven't been to Six Flags, this is the best time to go. The tickets are cheaper and the weather is not hot especially if you have to wait in line for the rides. Imagine riding in the roller coaster with a zombie!

8. Haunted House

      I must admit, I'm a scaredy cat! But if you're not, try going to one of the haunted houses in your area. I heard from some of my friends that this is an awesome experience. However, I'll be okay to go to the not so scary Haunted Barn.

9.  Camping

       A perfect time to go camping is early Fall so it's not too cold. Set up your tent or rent a cabin.  If you plan to sleep in the tent, don't forget to bring a thicker blanket.  Make sure to plan on having bonfire and s'mores with your family.

10. Fall vacation

      And last but not the least, if you have few days to spend, try to go on  roadtrip and I guarantee that you'll enjoy the drive especially with the beautiful fall colors of the trees.

Taken at Door County Wisconsin

           Have an awesome and affordable Fall adventure! And don't forget to bring your camera all the time and make some memories!

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50 Ideas on Spending Quality Time With Your Spouse

          This blog may be different from my previous ones but somehow I'm in the mood to change it up a bit! We've always talked about awesome family vacations. After that, we go back to our regular routine of working and taking care of our little ones. We forget that we still need to spend quality time with our spouses and enjoy being a couple. "DATE"! Yes, we need to find time to do something just you and your spouse. But whenever we hear the word "date", all we have in mind are movie theatre and dinner. No, no, no! There are other adventures that both of you can do.

"I want all of you, forever, you and me, everyday" - THE NOTEBOOK

Here are my 50 ideas on how to spend an awesome quality time with your honeypie: 

(Warning: I'm about to get cheesier and cheesier!)

Our favorite movie!

1.  Dress up. Arrange a candlelight dinner at home. Don't forget to play some romantic musics, preferably your songs. Invite your spouse to dance after dinner.

2. Watch your wedding videos and check out you wedding album. Don't forget to appreciate how skinny you guys were at that time.

3. Lay on the couch and tell each other corny jokes.

4. Play World of Warcraft together. Good bonding especially if you have to work together on a quest.

5. Have a picnic in the park or in your backyard.

6. Stargazing. Install the Constellation App on your phone.

7. Do some gardening together. 

8. Clean or re-arrange your furniture at home or fix the garage. 

9. Go grocery shopping together. This is the time to teach your spouse how to shop for SALE!

10. Wake up early in the morning and have coffee on your deck. This is my favorite and we do this every weekend!

11. Have a karaoke night at home and sing your heart out!  Nobody will judge.

12. Tell your spouse stories about your childhood. Believe me, there's a lot to tell!

13. Camp in your backyard. Set up the fire pit and make your s'mores.

14. Go to Buffalo Wild Wings and have a chicken wing eating contest. You can also plan to challenge each other to eat the wing with the hottest sauce.

15.  Write a blog together. Share ideas on what topic to write.

16. Go to the gym at the same time. It's good to have the same goal or to motivate each other to stay fit.

17. Plan to run a race. Picture yourself together at the finish line!

18. Be a kid again. Go to the park and play miniature golf or just swing in the playground.

19. Get some wine and browse your pictures in the computer. Reminisce your family adventures and notice how fast the kids grow.

20. Write down your bucket lists and plan to do it.

21.  Drive your car and just stroll around town. This is really nice especially during the holiday seasons where you can check all the decorations in every houses.

22.  Hang out at Barnes and Nobles. Read a book or a magazine. Order your favorite coffee at Starbucks.

23.  Go to your local ice cream parlor and share a banana split.

24. Beat each other in chess, checkers or monopoly. You'll be surprise how competitive you can be.

25. Play bowling, pool, or darts. Have a drink and appetizer and just enjoy while playing.

26.  Schedule a couples massage.

27. Go biking or hiking on a trail. 

28. Rent a boat and go fishing. 

29. Watch a comedy show. It's always fun to laugh together!

30. Go to a wine shop and have some tastings.

31. Watch the sunset.

32. Write love letter and exchange it with each other.

33. Watch a concert in the park. Set up your wine and cheese.

34. Book a hotel even for a night. Sometimes it's nice just to be in a different ambiance. 

35. Watch a drive-in movie at this time instead of the regular movie theatre.

36. Make a project together like painting a furniture or a DIY decors.

37. Go to happy hours in the restaurants.

38.  Do a painting and BYOB session.

39. Go out to Denny's or any 24 hour restaurant and have a midnight snack. 

40.  Watch a stage play or musical show. Some places have the dinner and show package available.

41.  Cook for each other on special occasions. You can pretend to be in the Top Chef and have a cooking challenge with each other.

42.   Have a cheesy movie marathon at home. By now, you already know that I love Nicholas Sparks' movies.

43. Go to the store and buy each other a sexy outfit.

44.  On a Friday or Saturday night, buy your favorite alcoholic drinks and get wasted.

45.  Play hide and seek.

46. Have a portrait session. It's nice to have your pictures too as a couple and not just the kids.

47.  Book a dinner cruise or just have a boat tour.

48.  Play Heads Up.

49.  After dinner, walk around the neighborhood while holding hands with each other.

50.  Last, but not the least, write at least 25 things why you love him/her. You will appreciate how much you complete each other.

Don't let your busy life get in the way of adding spice to your relationship. Make time for it! Tell your spouse everyday how much you love him/her. Have an awesome adventure!

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Geneva IL

        It's Labor Day weekend and as always I'm like a "lion in a cage". Since the girl's got invited to have a sleepover at their friend's house tonight, we decided to just have a local escapade during the day. Geneva is a small town in the western suburb of Chicago. It is about 45 mins from where we live. All these years, we've never been here so we decided to check it out.

        First, we went to the Kite Festival. There were different shapes and sizes of kites from the sponsors while others brought their own or made a paper kite.

Abby's Minion Kite

Up, up and away!

Don't get tangled!

         Then we went to downtown Geneva where there's shops and plenty of restaurants to choose from. We had lunch at the Geneva Diner then walked a block to have some desserts. It's a MUST to go to All Chocolate Kitchen when you're in Geneva. You can order coffee, pastries, gelatos, or chocolate candies. Everything's made of chocolate including the decors. How awesome is that! A little pricey but worth it!

Downtown Geneva

All Chocolate Kitchen

Must try...the best chocolates!

Gelatos

Hmm, I wonder how that chocolate bacon taste like!

Abstract Art Wall Sugar Sculpture

Enchanted Tree
(trunk made of chocolate, counter made of sugar)

       After eating, we went to Fox River and strolled along the Island Park. It was such a beautiful day! There was a trail where you can either bike, run or walk. We found a nice playground where the girls spent most of their time ziplining. My husband and I just enjoyed the view of the river while waiting for the girls. 

Fox River

What a great view of the river!

          Since we still have a little bit of time left, we stopped by Coyote Crossing in Carol Stream to play miniature golf. 

         All of us enjoyed our day trip today! It was an awesome way to spend our weekend. I will recommend this town especially if you're looking for a place to go this fall. Geneva also has Japanese Garden, Fifth Third Ball park (which the girls had been when they were in summer camp), and apple picking location so don't miss out!

       Have a good Labor Day weekend! 

     
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