Happy Halloween!

Today will be a great day! Minus the spiders (why, of all creatures, did spiders have to be a main feature of this otherwise fantastic candy filled holiday?) Halloween has always been a fantastic celebration and full of happy memories. A few favorite things:

1. Dad's Birthday. "He would be born on Halloween", is usually the response I get when I tell people. It's true, too. Who better to be born than my dad on a day that celebrates characters, tricks, treats, laughter, and candy? No one, that's who.

2. Candy. 

3. Did I mention candy?

4. Pumpkin Carving. My brother in law takes the cake on this one - he is a brilliant pumpkin carver. Like a true artist, he is never satisfied with his work, but we all stand around "oohing" and "ahhing" over each year's new creation. This year he made one pumpkin with his kids' hands/feet as the face. It was brilliant! The other, was a beautiful carving of "Singing in the Rain", complete with a street lamp and umbrella. Again, gorgeous.

5. Cute kids in costumes. Grayson is Tigger this year, and growls for candy. It doesn't get much better than that! Brooklyn is a beautiful winter Belle, and curtsies while saying "Merci!". And Madi, when in Jaime's carrier, becomes a little popcorn baggie. So awesome! Props to Jaime for her creativity and craftiness on that one as well.

All in all, Halloween is a fun, whimsical, candy-filled day with lots of laughter and love. Plus, it is the unofficial kick-off to the holiday season. From here we speed right into Thanksgiving, then it's just a few short weeks to Christmas and New Years!

Happy Halloween!

On the Horizon

A few fun events are in the works for the next few weeks, and since they are so exciting I thought I'd share about them! First:

We got a great discount on tickets recently, and can't wait to go on this adventure! The animal exhibits are supposed to be fantastic, and there's even a schedules cheetah run. Pictures to come!

Next Up: Mid-Next week we're going to enjoy dinner in LA before picking up friends at the airport. Not sure where we'll go yet, but it will be a fun break from the norm. And maybe we'll even *gasp* see a famous face or two!

 Saturday will be a fantastic time having friends over to our apartment one last time before camp. There will be loads of games, great food, laughter, and sharing stories. It will be so bittersweet to leave this great street and our first home, but we're looking forward to new adventures!

Later on in May we were honored to be asked to attend with some of our Director a spring concert event hosted by the Wooden Floor Dance Studio, where many of our campers come from. We'll be able to hear about some of the kids' experiences, hear from the directors of the program, and watch the dance they have been working so hard on. The Wooden Floor is an incredible ministry, and we're so glad to be a part of what they are doing in the lives of kids. 

And of course, we are gearing up for one more summer at camp! The next 3 months will be a Wild West Adventure in Bass Lake, full of campfires on Star Rock, Meadow Games, Brother-Friend, Adventure Games, Banana Boating, and so much more! 

Autumn in Orange County!

It's officially Fall here in "Sunny" So-Cal, most notable by our recent lack of sunshine! We are experiencing many overcast days, foggy mornings, and wet-cold nights! But, this is my favorite time of year, no matter what the weather, and I love adding touches of harvest colors all around our home :)

It's also time for fantastic Harvest Festivals in the community, and an event near-and-dear to my heart: "Boo at the Zoo!". Brett and I were able to visit the zoo this weekend and take in some of the sights! 

 I'm not sure why it said "Coming Soon", since it started that day. But Oh well - what a cute display!

A little friendly pumpkin patch. By this time the cold morning had worn off and we were back to being sunny. Again ... no matter what the weather, still a fantastic time of year :)

Brett conquered the "Search for the Jaguar" Maze!

Autumn Leaf colored monkeys :) They were so tiny, and really curious.

Sweet Pea at the "Farm" area!

He indulges my picture taking. What a sweet husband :)

This guy was cool. Did not even condescend to look us. Just focused on those delicious vegetables and had a grand time. It was fun how close we were able to get.

Also at the zoo - a beautiful Bald Eagle (named "Spirit) who had been rehabilitated after a wing injury in the wild, a camel, and anteater (both Brett and I realized we had never seen an anteater in person - only in pictures or on TV, so that was quite something), a group of Llamas, several other monkey breeds, and a Rainforest bird sanctuary.

It was a great date!

This weekend: The Tartain Faire Fall Festival at a local school, which we are working with camp friends hosting a rock climbing wall, and then an outdoor movie night on the lawn of a local park, where they are showing "Monsters, Inc.", hosting a halloween costume contest, and giving out free popcorn! Can't wait!

Fun Fun Fun!

What a fun weekend! Got to spend last night at Disneyland with two great gals, then today in Old Town Pasadena shopping and filling up on FroYo at the delicious 21 Choices.

My friend Lily introduced me today to what might be my new favorite "steals" store - Crossroads. This is the king of buy-sell-trade stores, and I could have spent lots of hours (and $$...) in that fantastic place. I limited myself to two for today, but plan on going back just as soon as I can. Here's what I ran off with!

 Cute, swanky dress for an upcoming formal dinner!

Everyday, strapless beachy dress - and so soft! 

All in all, a fabulous weekend so far. I love being with friends who make me better and are easy to share life with. Now it's time for some good old pre-spring cleaning and maybe a movie! :)