Halloween!

Yippee! Halloween is here at last! The usual family preperations included carving a pumpkin and making decorations for the big day!

The best part about carving the pumpkin, other than getting to use really big knives, is in "de-gooping" the "guts" out of the pumpkin. Everyone, expect Dad who is more that a little sqeemish, is eager for a turn at the pumpkin.




Of course, Anna likes to add song to most every thing she does, so check out the short video of the Pumpkin Carving Song "Everywhere a Goop Goop"




Matthew and Anna worked together to create the design for the pumpkin. Very nice! Dad's favorite part is keeping all the pumpkin seeds and roasting them in the oven with olive oil, salt and garlic.. yummy! Click here for a great recipe!









Along with pumpkins and decorations, this year Alana decided to make homemade costumes for both Anna and Matthew. While the work took longer than planned (ahum!), it was worth it as the costumes look great!


Anna was "Cinderella" and Matthew went as one of his hero's: Star Wars' Obi-wan-Kebobi. Look for details on the costumes and patterns in the near future on Alana's Blog.

Mom and Dad went the traditional route and dressed up as "Gun fighters".

Unfortunatly Mom had to work this evening, but she was brave enough to wear her costume to work. Matthew went "Trick-or-Treating" with his friend Ben and family. Anna and Dad went out early and made it back home in time to hand out candy. As you can see by the LARGE bags of candy below, it was a very successful evening and a good time was had by all!

Fall walk

Dad took the kids out for a short walk on Saturday at our favorite walking trail: Old Quarry Trail which is part of Stony Swamp. It was a perfect day for a walk. Most of the leaves were off the trees and there was a strong wind. We were able to catch a glimse of one of the many white-tail deer that live in this area.

We also saw a grass snake sunning itself on the path (photo below) and we spotted a dead mouse on the trail (no picture ;-).


I expect that next time we walk this trail there will be ice on the swamp and snow on the ground!