Carving Pumpkins

 We've reached the stage where everyone can carve their own pumpkins. The best part is they could scoop their own pumpkin guts out.

 Also note Norah's array of mud pie dishes on that table.

 The boys did a great job with theirs.  Brent was especially proud of his - so much in fact that when Halloween came and I forgot to get lights to put inside their pumpkins he found a small flashlight and put it in his so his was the only one lit!

Norah took a washable marker and drew different designs over and over. She couldn't get it right.  We kept thinking we would do it the next day but then that never happened so she had a scooped out pumpkin only.  And then it rotted away.  Sometimes you just need to pick something and go with it. A good life lesson right there.

Halloween

 Norah has been excitedfor Halloween ever since school started. She think its the greatest thing that every neighbor gives her candy.

 Joel insisted on being a bush.  It took several trips to hobby lobby but we finally got it to what he envisioned.

 I think this is my last year with Norah being a princess. But she made a very beautiful princess with a "real" princess crown. She was so excited.

 She insisted on wearing the crown like this when she put her hood up.  Cant cover that pretty crown.

Norah and I went with Hannah and her family to their fall festival at their church the Saturday before Halloween.

 Then on sunday night we went to a trunk or treat at another friends church.  Joel didn't want to wear his bush costume because they had bounce houses. Colin just went in the dress up drawer and got our last years costume.

Norah kept stepping on her dress and ripped up the tulle so I attempted to fix it before Halloween.  Thankfully she liked the fix and if you don't look too close it looks ok.

 On Halloween we had some friends come over and have dinner and then trick or treated with us.  I'm not really sure how much dinner the kids ate.  They rushed out the door pretty quickly.  It was perfect weather and I think all but two or three neighbors were home passing out candy.  I love my neighborhood on nights like this. After the kids went around to all the houses they all played outside together.

Joel couldn't wait to just sit like a bush and scare people. His timing was a little off but he did end up scaring two moms.  He just slowly stood up as they walked by and said "happy Halloween" one mom said she was glad he didn't scream or she would've lost it.  That made Joels night.

 Colin pulled out a Gandolf costume from our drawer.  At one point he lost his hat and people thought he was supposed to be Moses.

 Hudson was an identity thief and we put George onto Joel.... as in George Bush and he had no clue what we were talking about.

 It was a fun night

corn maze

After we went apple picking we stopped at this really cool farm on the way back.  There were tons of activities and cool slides for the kids.  But the best part was this corn maze. We've done one before but its a little one where we've sent the kids alone in and can see them as they run around. This maze we had to carry a flag and if you got stuck there was a guy in a tall tower that would help you out. 

 We were told to take a picture of the maze before we went in if we wanted some extra help

 Robbie kept track of where we were based on the picture and let the kids lead but would guide them when they got stuck.  I don't know how long it took us but we made it.  We passed a few families that had clearly been in there a long time and were over it and just wanted out! haha!

 They had different stations where the kids would get this map hole punched.  Joel of course wanted each station punched.  At one point I told Brent and Robbie to just punch a few extra when we found one since I knew we wouldn't get to all of them. They said that was cheating but I knew Joel. At the end of the maze we all got out and then Joel ran back in. I went after him and hoped we could make it back out but he ran to a hole puncher and just punched all his remaining squares to they would be compete. Then he ran back out to the exit.  I just followed and glad he knew where he was going.

 

The farm also had this really cool restored merry go round.

 Mary, Sarah and I all tried to get on a horse but we exceeded the weight limit  and this is how Mary and Sarah felt about that!

It was a great weekend. And just look at that sunrise from Mary and Robbie's house.  So beautiful. We are looking forward to all being together for Thanksgiving