Pumpkin Carving!

Tonight we pulled up our sleeves and dug into two perfect pumpkins hoping to create the BEST jack-o-lanterns on Altadena Avenue!!! Russell was a wonderful boss...he told us exactly what to do, but wanted NO part of sticking his hands into the guts and pulling out the seeds. Sloane on the other hand, was practically head over heels inside the pumpkin!!! Both kids were tuckered out by the time we finished digging out the seeds so Aron and I had to finish up the carving ourselves. This went from family fun night, to complete COMPETITION of who could carve the better pumpkin! So check out the pics below and decide for yourself who has the better jack-o-lantern. But...just so you all know...I had to finish Aron's for him because he gave up after almost slaughtering the eyes :-) HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL!!!

Aron's jack-o-lantern

Kirsten's jack-o-lantern

Sloane loved every minute of the slimy stuff!

Russell was the best foreman!

BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Halloween at Greenfield Village

We just returned from a fun night at Greenfield Village with our neighborhood clan! During the month of October Greenfield Village has Halloween nights. The entire path is lit with jack-o-lanterns. Along the way you meet several characters (spooky and not) who pass out treats to the children. Russell and Sloane opted not to wear their costumes. I was okay with that decision since the evening was a bit chilly. They both enjoyed taking in all the action and seeing the unique costumes. Russell's favorites were the pirates. He could not take his eyes off the pirate ship and treasure. After we passed he immediately started to pretend he was a pirate, "argh"! We were all a little spooked going through the covered bridge in the dark with only spooky lights and sounds around us. Russell held tight to my hand and once we were through it, he announced, "I was scared." Thankfully the fun out weighed the scary parts!!! By the time we left, all the kids had pumpkins filled with candy, apples, chips, pretzels, and a vampire teddy bear beanie baby! Luckily my kids do not know what candy is (YET) and were thrilled with receiving an apple!!! However, they dove into the potato chips first :-) Fall has really brought joy to our family this year!

What a FUN night!!!

I'm not too sure about these spooky people!

Yummy, more chips please!

Just a few of the jack-o-lanterns we saw.

Weekend in Grand Rapids

This post is a little late...our hard drive crashed last week so we have been out of a computer for a week. I did not realize how much we depended on this little piece of technology! It is good to have it back. Unfortunately we had to get a whole new hard drive and lost EVERYTHING on the old (pictures, work plans, music, etc...) Oh, well! Thus is life.

Anyway...last weekend we spent a glorious two days back in our old area of Grand Rapids!!! The kids spent the weekend with my parents and grandparents at my grandma and grandpa's beautiful home and property in Middleville. Russell fed the rooster, caught frogs, and rode Great Papa's golf cart. Sloane enjoyed following her brother around and playing with cousin Katie. Aron and I went back to GVSU to celebrate Homecoming with our college friends. It was wonderful to see the old gang!!! I was also fortunate enough to run into some old co-workers. I loved catching up with everyone. Aron and I love GR and always look forward to our annual Homecoming trip!!!

Here are some cute pics of the kids enjoying time with their great grandparents!!!

Sloane looking for frogs in the pond with Great Gramma.

Russell telling me about the deer he saw while riding with Great Papa through the woods.

Fall is here! We love it!!!

We had another wonderful weekend at home. On Friday, we enjoyed Family Fun Night in downtown Royal Oak. The streets were packed with families enjoying the hometown festivities! The kids loved people watching, eating popcorn, and hanging onto their Mickey Mouse balloons. On Saturday, we lounged around the house in our pj's most of the morning and then headed out in the afternoon in search of the perfect mums to plant in our backyard. After finding the BEST mums in town we brought them home to plant. Russell was completely hands on helping to plant while Sloane was the inspector, smelling and touching every flower bud. Today we spent the afternoon at Westview Orchards with our neighborhood gang. This was our third year going as a group. It is fun watching the neighborhood kids grow and change. We had fun playing in the pumpkin patch, eating donuts, drinking cider, and watching the farm animals and tractors pass by. It was a beautiful autumn day...sunny and 65 degrees. FALL IS HERE! WE LOVE IT!!!