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Maria Mendez-Jimenez

@igtmny2

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Puertorriqueña-Chicagoland
Family is so important to me "Goals that are not written down are just wishes" igtmny2=I get money too🤑
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by @igtmny2

La Isla de Encanto #familytimeisthebesttime by @igtmny2

🎃🏠 DES PLAINES HALLOWEEN HOUSE HUNT IS ON! 👻✨

One of my favorite fall traditions is driving around and enjoying all the incredible Halloween decorations our community has to offer! 🧡 And now, the finalists for the 2026 Des Plaines Halloween Home Decorating Contest have been announced.

🏆 Here are the addresses to add to your Halloween house-hunting route:

📍 2026 Finalists:

🎃 1496 E. Algonquin Road, 60016
👻 1864 Illinois St., 60018
🕸️ 100 Oakwood Ave., 60016
🦇 144 Inner Circle Dr., 60016
🎃 885 S. 2nd Ave., 60016
👻 936 Oakwood Ave., 60016
🕷️ 1029 Woodlawn Ave., 60016
💀 265 Kinkaid Ct., 60016
🎃 2050 Fargo Ave., 60018
👻 1433 S. 5th Ave., 60018

🏆 You can even help judge! Judging takes place from 6 PM to 10 PM each day this week. Submit your scorecard by Saturday, October 31st, using the official judging link:

🔗 https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/_1YXC0RBKBfGmEoWSwfP7s9bn36?domain=surveymonkey.com

✨ Grab the family, take a little drive, enjoy the spooky displays, and support the creative neighbors who make Halloween in Des Plaines so special!

📣 Like and share this post to let our community know the details and deadlines!

📸 Who else loves a good Halloween house-hunting adventure? Drop a 🎃 in the comments if you're planning to check out the finalists!

#Halloween2026 #HalloweenHouseHunting #FallFamilyFun #DesPlainesIL #SpookySeason by @igtmny2

🏴‍☠️🎃🚢 160 RECYCLED PALLETS turned into an incredible pirate ship that visitors can actually explore! And the story behind it makes it even more amazing. ❤️ YOU NEED TO SEE THIS BEFORE IT DISAPPEARS! 🎃🏴‍☠️

✨ This isn’t just a Halloween display… it’s like walking into a FREE outdoor museum filled with creativity, imagination, and so much love! 🖤

We had the pleasure of meeting the sweetest couple who welcomed us with such kindness and shared the story behind their incredible creation. THIS years theme - Fisherman!! ❤️ Their anniversary falls on Halloween, and their love for the holiday shines through every single detail! They started this exhibit on June 21, 2026, with every free evening after work, they worked on it.

🧜‍♀️ A magical mermaid garden

💰 Treasure chests hidden throughout the landscape

💀 A spooky little cemetery filled with skeletons

🏴‍☠️ Countless creative details tucked into every corner

Their backyard is an entire experience, built with their own hands, and shared so generously with the community. The creativity is unreal, and the love behind it makes it even more special. 🥹❤️

⚠️ DON’T WAIT! They plan to start taking the display down on November 1st, so if you’re looking for a unique, FREE Halloween adventure, make this your next stop!

And no… I’m NOT showing you everything! 😂📸 Because if I reveal every secret, where’s the fun in exploring it yourself?!

📍 931 Chatham Ave. Addison, Illinois 60101

🎃 FREE Halloween adventure

❤️ Go show this amazing couple some love and appreciate the incredible work they’ve put into sharing their creativity with everyone!

👇 TAG someone who needs to see this before November 1st! 🏴‍☠️🎃

#AddisonIllinois #HalloweenDecorations #FreeFamilyFun #HiddenGemsIllinois #HalloweenMagic by @igtmny2

What an INCREDIBLE flag football tournament! 💪🏽🏈 Three wins, valuable lessons, great competition, and the opportunity to meet some incredible people along the way! @qbcoachlenny._

Beyond the scoreboard, it’s about building confidence, developing skills, learning teamwork, and continuing to grow with every opportunity. Every snap, every flag pull, and every challenge is part of the journey. 🙌🏽

We’re grateful for the experiences, the connections, and the doors God continues to open. 🙏🏽✨

3–1. Growing, learning, competing, and dreaming BIG! 🏈💎 The journey continues!

#FlagFootball #ChicagoBears #GirlsFlagFootball #AthleteLife #classof2029🎓

@mw_flagfootball Thank you for an amazing season @vybespeedacademy by @igtmny2

it’s a FAMILY TRADITION year after year! These are the memories our kids will grow up remembering, and we’re so grateful to have amazing neighbors who go all out to keep the Halloween spirit alive for our community. 🍂✨

Thank you for making this neighborhood tradition so special, year after year! 🧡

📍 1784 Everett, Des Plaines, IL

Who else loves spending those intimate moments in the car? Work from Home Life got me OUTSIDE 🤣

#DesPlainesIL #FreeFamilyFun #FamilyMemories #HalloweenDecorations #CommunityLove by @igtmny2

🎃👻 CALLING ALL NURSES!! 🩺🏥😂

Who’s ready for a little Halloween madness?! 😱🖤 This spooky house at 217 Norman Court in Des Plaines, Illinois is serving up some seriously creepy fun, and the garage is set up like a UNIT! 🤣🏥🚨

Nurses, you KNOW you need to see this one! 😂🩺 Just another night shift… except this time, the patients might be the ones doing the haunting! 👻🤣

🚗 Load up the family, grab your friends, and go check it out! Halloween fun like this deserves some love! 🧡🎃

👇 NURSES, SOUND OFF! Would you take this shift, or are you calling in SICK?! 😂🙋‍♀️🩺

#DesPlainesIL #SpookySeason #HalloweenFun #ChicagoSuburbs #FamilyFun by @igtmny2

💔 It really does take a village.

Our community has lost a young life, and my heart hurts for this family and everyone who loved him.

Rest In Peace Hafid Alicea - and thank you for the footprints you left in our hearts.

This is a reminder that behind every smile, there may be a struggle we know nothing about. Our kids are navigating so much, and sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply listen, show up, and remind them that they matter.

As a mom, I want my children and their friends to know that my door is always open. If you need someone to talk to, a safe place to sit, a meal, a hug, or simply an adult who will listen without judgment, you have a place here. You don't have to have the right words, and you don't have to explain everything to deserve support.

Let's check on our kids. Let's check on their friends. Let's ask twice if something doesn't feel right. Let's create a village where our young people know they are seen, valued, loved, and never a burden.

Please consider supporting this family through the fundraiser. Let's surround them with the love and support they need during an unimaginable time.

It takes a village, and sometimes, being part of that village can mean more than we will ever know. ❤️

https://gofund.me/c9f04540d

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters❤️ #fyp by @igtmny2

Confident in the woman I’m becoming, grateful for the life I get to live and blessed by every season God brings my way. 🌴☀️🍂

Summer memories in my heart, new blessings on the horizon, and faith guiding me into whatever comes next. Not every season looks the same, but there’s beauty in every one. 🤎✨

#BlessedLife #EverySeasonHasAPurpose #GratefulHeart #millennial #xybca by @igtmny2

🎃👻 ANOTHER FREE FAMILY HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE! 👻🎃

The Wilkes Family Halloween Display in Bensenville is an elaborate, FREE Halloween walkthrough filled with spooky decorations, festive lights, and even LIVE ACTORS on select nights! 🕸️💀

📍 Village Hall Park 12 S. Center St., Bensenville, IL 60106

🕯️ Lights & Decorations: 🌙 Sunday–Thursday: Dusk–9 PM 🌙 Friday–Saturday: Dusk–10 PM

🧟 LIVE ACTORS: 🔥 Fridays & Saturdays, 7–10 PM 🎃 Halloween Day, October 31st

@wilkesfamilyhalloween

The best family memories don't have to cost a thing! ❤️🙌

Tag a family who would love this, share this post, and let's keep supporting these amazing community displays! 🧡🍂

#Halloween #FreeFamilyFun #bensenvilleil #fyp #xybca by @igtmny2

🚗💀🌼 CHICAGOLAND FAMILIES, LOAD UP THE CAR! ❤️🎶

Are you looking for something FREE and fun to do with the kids? Take a family adventure to Invasion on Gregory! 🌺🎸✨

This COCO-inspired home is bringing the magic to Chicago, and it’s the perfect excuse to get the kids out of the house, enjoy the decorations, take pictures, and make some memories — all for FREE! 🥹❤️

📍 7735 W. Gregory St., Chicago, IL

✨ FREE family fun 📸 Photo-worthy decorations 🚗 A fun little adventure for the whole family

Sometimes the best memories don’t cost a thing! ❤️ Tag a family that needs a fun outing!

#InvasionOnGregory #Chicago #ChicagoFamilies #FamilyFun #xybca by @igtmny2

Thank you, Puerto Rico, for recharging our souls and helping us refocus our goals. 🇵🇷❤️

This mother-daughter trip gave us sunshine, laughter, beautiful memories, and a fresh perspective.

We came to chase a dream, but we’re leaving with so much more—refreshed, refocused, and ready for what’s next. ✨

Until next time… gracias, Puerto Rico. 🇵🇷🌴❤️

#queensraisequeens #motherhood #motheranddaughter❤️ #mybestie❤️ #fyp by @igtmny2