Happy Halloween

Despite our 'spooky' sickness this year, we managed to squeak in some Halloween fun. Lucy and I carved her pumpkin before we started to feel under the weather. One of the highlights for Lucy was sorting out the pumpkin seeds from the goop.

We baked the seeds with brown sugar and Cinnamon this year. We ate the seeds for a mid-morning snack. I had mine with coffee, so Lucy needed her drink in a little coffee cup too.
By Halloween, Lucy and Ellen had both been fever free for 24 hours, so we decided to let them dress up and Jer took Lucy to a few houses to trick-or-treat.

No candy for Ellen this year, but she did have sweet potatoes for her supper. At least they are orange. . .

Here Lucy is getting ready to fill her bucket.

If a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, then I guess Halloween is a good time to be sick. Lucy had some M&Ms to wash her medicine down.

You Are My Sunshine!

Halloween Camping

On the long drive to Point Beach State Park, we had a wonderful overnight visit with Great-Grandma Kobielush. We arrived to a pot of warm delicious chili and had a very relaxing and cozy visit. Lucy had a great time exploring inside and outside in the woods with Daddy. Here is Grandma with the girls.

The next day we got back in the car and headed to our campsite. A spooktacular time awaited.
The very first thing we did was head to the lodge to pick out some pumpkins. Here are Mindi, Addy and Lucy decorating theirs.

Lucy decided to paint her pumpkin this year.

Then we got to do some general setting up and hanging around at the campsite. Here is Ellen and Jer.

Kelly and Ryan.

Addy Jane.

Jer and Ellen had a little rest by the fire.

Here is Lucy in front of our tent.

Here she is helping decorate.

It wouldn't be a Halloween celebration without costumes and trick-or-treating. Here are Snow White and Addy the Clown.

Snow White and a little Lion were stealing candy from our bin!

Addy and Ellen, my little Lamb.

Here are Kelly and I with the babes. Ry Guy was a little monkey.

There were some pretty amazing campsites this year. First prize when to a site that was the complete set of Sesame Street. Here are Lucy, Big Bird and Cookie Monster.

The cast of Scooby-doo were also camping this weekend. Check our their camper! It was a huge Mystery Machine.

The three happy trick-or-treaters.

It was a cold weekend, but so much fun. Next year we are bringing a camper. Then maybe Ellen and I will actually get to sleep at the campground.

Fall Favorites

It looks like we might have a short fall in Minnesota this year. Winter is trying very hard to barge right into October. We have been making the most of any nice fall weather and have had some inside fall fun as well. We have hit a couple of apple orchards with our Thursday play group this year. Here are a few of Lucy at one of the orchards. We made apple crisp this week with only apples that Lucy picked.

Just enough.
The group at the apple orchard.

Ellen in her stroller again. I just couldn't resist this picture. I love the expression in her eyes and the half smile behind the paci.

Lucy held this fuzzy caterpillar for the longest time. She loved it when it crawled around and tickled her hand.

We always make German chocolate cake for Jer's birthday. Lucy chose cupcakes this year for Daddy.

Lucy got a super cool Mr. Potato head pumpkin kit while out shopping with Auntie Sandy. I'm not sure what the goofy face is about in this one. It guess it just wasn't a regular smile kind of day.

We also did a 'haunted' gingerbread house for Halloween. Here is Lucy, just getting started.

She is holding up a bat candy. As you can tell by her orange face, she hasn't eaten any candy or licked any frosting. . .

When Jer got home, Lucy was so excited to show him the house. I'm not sure if she was actually proud of it, or if it was pure sugar high.

Happy Fall to all. I hope it isn't a white Halloween this year.

Ellen at 5 months

60th Anniversary

This year is my grandparents diamond anniversary. They have been married for 60 years! The happy couple then.

And now.
We had an anniversary party for them last Saturday. Here are all of the ladies from our family (and Ryan) at the party.

Some of the children. Sandy, Tony & Stephanie.

The entertainment for the evening was adorable and unexpected. While we were taking care of some technical difficulties with the slideshow, the great-grandchildren decided to come show us what they had been up to.

I made us do some posed pictures. We never do this, so I wanted to have some pictures of each family. Here is my family with my mom and Grandparents.

Here are Grandma and Grandpa with the Proues. Yep. This is the perfect picture of them!

My brother's family.

Grandma and Grandpa with the great-grandchildren.

As usual, Tony and Annmarie were out the door before we could snap one of their family. They are the only members of our family that aren't completely crazy and we all know they can only take so much of the rest of us!!

As the night was coming to an end, we had one last sparkle. Any of you who know me, know that I am completely lacking in creativity. However, I am a spectacular idea stealer! I stole this from my sister-in-law Katie. She had some great pictures from the 4th of July. After some shutter speed adjustments and some freaky fast moves, we managed to get a few neat pictures.

Molly perfected the heart for 60 years of true love.

Mandi got the fire and sparkle of the diamond with a star.

And then there was Sandy, ohh Auntie Sandy. . . Ok - we gave her a dud sparkler.

Jeremy got 'Happy'

'Anniv'. . .ersary.

Happy 60th Anniversary Bob & Betty Gray. We love you!