Halloween 2014

Thankfully our Halloween weather was perfect! Larry made his chili and the girls made cornbread, homemade rootbeer and caramel apple slices and we settled in for a night of answering the doorbell. We actually had very few trick or treaters this year. Afterwards, Taylor and Josh dropped by and we played a fun game of Pictionary.  I remember the thrill of trick or treating for as long as possible and then coming back and sorting my candy. Yes Smarties and Dum Dums were in the last pile, but even they started looking good when they were the last ones left. I don't see that urgency from the kids of today. Could it be candy is no longer special?

My memories of this Halloween would have to be Lindsey and Lucy when we took pictures. Lucy did not cooperate and sometimes a snapshot of real life brings an even better smile when you look back on them.

thanksgiving day

This Thanksgiving is extra special. All of Larry's siblings are here while we prepare to celebrate his Mom's 80th birthday the day after Thanksgiving. What a big group we have! We miss those that are unable to make it and also Austin and Tyler on their missions.We know we have so very much to be thankful for and we give thanks to God for everything. It was a nice day filled with non-stop visiting and more than plenty of good eating. We cooked the turkeys, dressing and gravy and mashed potatoes and took them over to Larry's Mom and Dads. Crazy as it sounds, I love the preparing of Thanksgiving dinner. The smell of the kitchen, nesting at home and listening to Christmas music... most especially the making of the dressing. I still follow my Mom's detailed instructions and think of her. Years ago, my Mom would always leave a container of unbaked dressing on the counter for me to nibble on. Mmmm! This year we sent dried leaves to Tennessee to Becky for her table, each signed by one of us. My heart is never far away from hers. Happy Thanksgiving!

halloween 2013

Halloween has got to be the most chaotic day of the year and trying to bring order to it is just unattainable madness. Happy me... I was able to take some quick pictures of our princess, our monster, our Cabbage Patch Doll, our monkey (with lion legs) and our Clark Kent / Superman. After trick or treating, we headed home for chili and a cheesy sourdough blossom bread thing from Pinterest (yum!) I was most impressed with my weinie mummies that I found on Pinterest and think those will be a do-again every year. We had a good time and everyone went come tired and wired from too much candy.

haunted forest

It took Larry and I too long to make it over to the Haunted Forest where Paul works during the Halloween Season, putting up the gruesomeness and doing a good job of it. We finally all piled in the car and headed over, treated by Paul. Ashlee stayed home and watched all the little kids. I grabbed onto Larry, Katie onto Ransom, Lindsey onto Tyler and Paul had Kelsie and Abby tucked tightly on both sides of him. We were good to go. I believe I screamed more than anyone, though I did hear a scream come out of Ransom. People jump out at you in the dark and while they can't touch you, if they can tell you are scared, they follow you around. Creepiness at  it's best. Thank you Paul!

picking pumpkins

We've been going to Pumpkinland ever since the girls were little. There is something heartwarming about seeing traditions continue with the grandkids. It takes a while to pick out the most perfect one : )