Oops, almost forgot! We milked a Cow!!

I often worry that I'm raising city kids. I think about the great experiences I had growing up in rural America with animals a plenty. So it's times like this they do me proud. We went to a place called Frying Pan Park. It's places like these that city folk go to get a farm experience. When we went this month they were milking cows and letting everyone have a try. I didn't think my kids would want anything to do with it but Ksusha jumped right up, she could hardly contain herself. Once she was brave enough to try Abe decided he'd have a go too.

Happy Halloween!

Another Halloween full of Candy and spooks have come and gone. Daddy took the big kids trick or treating at a nearby townhouse community where they got some awesome goods.

Dulci was dressed as a cow. I think this is the only picture where she wasn't screaming.

JoyeLoni wanted to be a "Bad Princess." I found this Elephant costume in our dress up bin and somehow convinced her to wear it instead. I can't wait to see what she hopes to be next year!

Ksusha found this leopard costume in the dress up bin and fell in love with it. I found the mask at Target for a dollar. They didn't go together perfectly but she was happy and it was easy on me. When she went trick or treating a couple people asked her if she was "a leopard or a cat?" She confidently replied "I'm a leprechaun!"

Abe decided to be a pirate this year (for the 3rd year in a row actually.) The scary teeth came from the party. Maybe that's what helped him beat Superman at the doughnut eating contest.

The Pirate vs. Superman

At an Arlington Halloween party Abe took on Superman in a doughnut eating contest. It was a close race but in the end I think the pirate was victorious. Sorry Superman...

Halloween Dinner

I hate Halloween candy. Sure, it tastes good and it's tons of fun dressing my kids up and walking from door to door to collect it. But it tempts me all month long until it's time to pig out on turkey and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. I hate seeing my kids eat candybar after candybar without taking a breath. I know I can't change Halloween and I really don't want to, but for the last couple years I've tried to make Halloween dinner a little more exciting. Hopefully if the candy doesn't kill all their brain cells they'll one day realize that food can be fun, delicious and healthy. So here's what I served up this Halloween.

Hot dog mummies. Served with all beef franks of course!

These were my favorites. Monster mouths made out of pears and slivered almonds.

And to round things out a steaming hot bowl of of pumpkin soup. My kids didn't love it but I thought it was warm goodness on a rainy night.

Family Pictures

We try to have our family pictures taken every fall. It was a little rushed this time but thanks to Uncle Ben for snapping some for us last minute.

Elder Christensen

Before my parents left we traveled an hour west to visit Elder Christensen who is serving in Winchester, VA right now. We enjoyed the drive through rural VA and of course having lunch with the elders.

Jack-0-Lanterns

While Grammy and Grandpa were here we set them to work carving pumpkins. I must say they did a pretty fantastic job, we had lots of compliments on Halloween night. Grammy helped with the design and Grandpa did the carving. Thanks guys!

Dulci and her Pumpkin

This pumpkin won the look-alike contest. If you look closley you can see that they both have a dimple in their chins.

Mmmm.... yummy.

Kirtland Temple

After running in PA we took my parents and Kole to visit Kirtland, OH. We visited the church history sites including the historic Kirtland Temple.

Inside the visitors center they had dress-up from the time the temple was built. We girly girls couldn't resist.

Flowers on the temple grounds.

Half Marathon

Seth and I ran a half marathon this month in Pennsylvania. Seth ran it in 1:40 and I ran a PR at 2:06. As odd as it sounds it was the most fun I've ever had running 13 miles. The scenery was spectacular as the fall colors were in their prime.

Our die hard fans, Abram, JoyeLoni and Ksusha.

Mom, Dad, and Kole came along to care for the chitlins (thanks guys!). We stopped in Philadelphia on the way. Hey, are there two moons in that picture?

We took a ride up a steep cliff in a train thingy. These shots are taken high above the city.

The Walkway is finished!

Once the trench was dug the project went pretty smoothly! Several people from the neighborhood have commented on how great it looks. I'm impressed and can't wait until we have our own place for Seth to practice his handyman skills. We also got plants installed this month, pictures are coming.