Thanksgiving Week

*FESTIVAL OF TREES AND LIGHTS*

November 24 - 28, 2010
Polk County Convention Complex
501 Grand Avenue, Downtown Des Moines

I have never been before but will probably go this year. Here is the info!

Hours
Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Thanksgiving Day: 1 to 7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets
Tickets Purchased at Event: $5
Children 2 and younger: FREE

Here are a few pics that were online of years in the past....

Looks like Santa will even be there.

For more information on the festival of trees click here.

*Thanksgiving Dinner at DMU*

Thurs November 25th 12:30-2:30

It is actually really really good! And you get everything you would at a normal Thanksgiving Dinner! Best thing about it is that it is free to students and their families!! We went our second year here and plan on going this year!

*Black Friday*

Friday November 26th

For those that want to brave the crowds and save a few bucks. They have great sales and deals all around here. I have heard the mall is particularly crazy and fun.

Shop early and enjoy exclusive deals, live music, prizes, giveaways and free hot chocolate and coffee.

Jordan Creek Town Center opens at 12:01am on Friday, November 26.

The Machine Shed restaurant

We first heard about this restaurant from my nieces who claimed that on TV (in WA) they saw a restaurant near Des Moines with gigantic cinnamon rolls. We kind of blew it off at the time but then had heard from a few people that we needed to go and try this place out. The restaurant is called "The Machine Shed" and is located on Hickman Rd. right by the Living History Farms in Urbandale. We went for breakfast since my primary purpose was to try these famous cinnamon rolls I kept hearing about. The breakfast was great. The portions were quite large, but nothing compared to the gigantic cinnamon rolls. We are talking about probably 3 lbs worth of cinnamony ooey gooey goodness! If you go for breakfast go later because their cinnamon rolls are half off after 11am (only $1.50) or you could always just get a cinnamon roll to go after this time. Also while you are ordering your breakfast if you say the phrase, "AND I LOVE EGGS" they will add an extra egg to your meal for free.

(Sorry pic is blurry, taken with my phone, but you can see how big the cinnamon rolls are compared to Hallie)

Overall it was just a fun little place to visit. It kind of had a "Cracker Barrel" country restaurant feel to it, nothing fancy. We thought it was fun. Not sure how their lunch and dinner are but we did get to see a sneak peak of their salad bar and a few entrees as we were leaving that looked delicious! We will definitely be going back!

Click on the BOLDED words above for more information and for their menus.

Iowa Pet Foods and Aquatics

If you are like me... you may spend quite a bit of your time at Michaels craft store.In my case, even the shortest trip is pure torture for my husband and/or child. I was very happy when I found this little gem a few stores down in the strip mall- Iowa Pet Foods and Aquatics. May look a little ghetto on the outside but it is quite the pet store. They have everything you need to bribe reward your child for enduring a Michaels trip.

In the store you will find:

Tons of fish!! All sizes

A shark

Sting rays

Turtles

3 tropical birds which will talk to your kids

canaries

mice

bunnies

guinea pigs

gerbils

dogs

cats

and probably a couple more.. its seems like I see a new creature each time I go

all it's missing is a tiger and a few monkeys

We have really enjoyed going here, especially during the winter when the zoo wasn't an option!! So go check it out... or have your husband check it out with your kids while you enjoy Michaels in peace.

Incredible Pizza Company

If you have not heard about this place, you are missing out.

Incredible Pizza Company
is located in Urbandale.
It's an all-you-can-eat buffet (really good one!) for $5.99 (for lunch only 11-2pm) and kids 3 and under are free!!
Along with the food, they have:
-bumper cars
-go-carts
-arcade games
-mini-bowling
-miniature golf
-jungle gym
-and so much more!
I know I sound like a commercial right now, but this place is really, really fun - your kids will love it.
The atmosphere is 50's and there are several "themed-rooms" that you can choose to eat in.
Let me know if anyone wants to go soon, we would love to go with you!
(Thursdays are the best day to go because they double all the money you spend, so it's much cheaper...)