We had a great time last weekend visiting family in Pella. My mom and dad both grew up there and I lived there till I was four years old. I also studied for two years at Central College. I love going back because it is such a quaint little town with great shopping and wonderful restaurants.

First we stopped at my Aunt’s house about 15 miles away. And look what I found……..

My Family’s 2005 CHRISTMAS CARD!!

I totally forgot about this thing hahaha….Bobble Heads! Sooo funny!

Then we went to downtown Pella for some dinner at George’s Pizza. They call these things “sliders” because they slide right through you

We had some fun at the square, walking around to all the stores that are open late and the kids got to go in the bounce houses.

Cohen had fun just chillin’….he likes to prop his feet up in the stroller hah..funny kid.

Had a big day…time for bed…(Mommy enjoys buying matching PJs, tonight Puppies with SunGlasses)

The next day we went to my favorite place Smokey Row.

It was 10 a.m. so I just got a coffee but the kids wanted to have Cheeseburger Chowder Soup. If you are ever at the Smokey Row in Pella or Des Moines….GET THIS!

The girls shared a smoothie.

We had to get pics in the huge Wooden Shoes.

Of course our last stop was Jaarsma’s Bakery for some Dutch pastries. You can’t leave Pella without some. During their annual Tulip Festival in May there is a line circling in the store and out the door 1 whole block. THAT is how good their pastries are!

Our family favorites are Bismarks & Butter Danishes.

Dutch Letters

And Cherry Donut Holes!

The Bismarks are probably my fave. Although, I have to cut them in half….then I scoop out some of the cream filling on the inside because there is soooo much! SUGAR HIGH

But before we left my Grandma gave me a HUGE gift: Over 20 Taste of Home magazines from the 1990s haha! Yup, she has been saving them for that long to give to someone…. THANKS GRANDMA!

It took me all night to go through the thousands of recipes…. but I have some great new ones to try