Snow and Sugar

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Fall adventures, Lee's parents visiting & Luray Caverns!

Last Friday night it started snowing and kept going till Saturday afternoon.  I always love the first snow of the season, even if it was a little early.  I didn't mind the snow one bit because it didn't last long (I didn't think it would) and we had a gorgeous sunny Fall day today. I don't mind if snow starts sticking around on December 25th.

The pink/gray glove and Clark's helmet are remnants of Clark's snowman.


Lee and Cal's snowman. 


Cal went on a field trip to a pumpkin patch a few weeks ago and it was the lone pumpkin for Halloween.  Cal designed, Lee carved.






For a few years we've baked and decorated sugar cookies for Halloween. It's about the only time of year I make them.  I used the same recipe as I did last year, but boy were they good this year!  Yum!  Too bad there weren't more of them...  We did the cookies on Sunday.










I love it how they all squish together for things like this!


We decorated them while listening to a General Conference talk. *Listen Here*




This photo is for you Auntie Steph!












We had a really fun Halloween weekend.  With the ward Halloween party--see post below--cookies on Sunday and Trick-or-Treating Halloween night, it was very fun. I was kind of disappointed about going trick-or-treating by myself as Lee was going to hand out candy at his practice, but it turned out really well!  Here they hold what they call a Hoo-Doo and block of the streets for the downtown businesses.  Then participating businesses hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters. I loved it!  A church close to downtown...okay...everything is close to downtown...had a maze for the kids along with cookies and hot cider.  Thankfully they had water too.  I was thirsty from pushing the stroller!

I left the camera with Lee while we were out getting candy.


You might not be able to tell, but Lee dilated his right eye, and shaved his face and cut his hair on the left side. 


Here is the candy he handed out.  We bought it from Oriental Trading Co.  We both wish we would have checked the local Family Dollar first...they had gummy eyes also for sale...at a cheaper price too! 


Good thing he got a lot.  He handed out about 670 pieces!!! 


Lee bought two squash and carved out eyes.  He couldn't get a good picture, but I think you get the idea.  Very cool!






We're excited to participate again next year!  After filling up the bags with candy downtown, we visited a few homes right by our house.  After that we did about 10 or so more houses.  It was funny because Haley wanted to keep going.  The other kids were done.  It was a nice night weather-wise to go out.  A little cool, but not bad.  A nice Fall evening. After the kids were in bed, finally, I did the much-looked-forward-to sorting of the candy!  So fun!  I don't know why I like doing it so much.  I saved out a BUNCH of candy for Christmas, a little for Valentine's Day, plus the kids picked some out for their gingerbread houses.  The only candy I plan on buying for Christmas will be candy canes.  I might make some homemade candy, like chocolate covered coconut balls...mmm! Hopefully I can stick to the plan! The kids still have a good stash in their bags and they haven't even noticed that A LOT is gone. Hopefully that will last a few more years! Growing up I looked forward to holidays mainly because of the candy.  And that hasn't changed.

An interesting article....

Especially since our van was one of them.  Funny enough, we didn't even know that they had thrown eggs on it till a police man was at our house one night explaining it to us (that gave me a sinking feeling fast!).

Cub Scouts and more...

We have delved into cub scouting with Clark.  So far he loves it and received his Bobcat last week.  We have eased in to extra activities very slowly at our house.  The ONLY thing extra that the boys have EVER done was swimming lessons early this year.  That is it.  I am not into sports, so if our boys start doing little league or something, Lee will have to take over that one.  And if I combine what feels like a busy enough life for our family and a self-imposed lack of funds for sports or other activities...well boys and girls, maybe you can sign up for something next year! (Well, okay.  Probably just the two older boys...)

Clark and Lee the night of the den meeting.


We attended our ward Halloween dinner and church-or-treat.  It was kind of cold and snowing--yes snowing--outside during the party, so trick-or-treating was held in the building.  It was so nice to sit in the foyer and not be cold while handing out candy!  The Young Men and Young Women's organizations were in charge of the party and did a great job.  We had a fun time.  And let me tell you, getting ready for the party was so fun.  The kids were so excited to dress up and go to the party...I loved it! 






Funny enough, a few people asked me: What are you?  My answer: I don't know.  Lee bought this dress for me while he was in Nicaragua (or whoever his future wife was going to be, ha ha).  I have worn it maybe once before.  While we don't mind dressing up for Halloween, Lee and I don't want to try and think of WHAT to dress up as.  So it was an easy solution!






Clark's last minute costume.  Glad he loved my suggestion!  It was a fun costume!


So Dr. Who fans.....don't BLINK!


I just had to keep her eye red....


Love it! 








Look at the pose and release! Nice form Cal! Our boys aren't in sports but they have been bowling a couple of times.  Does that count?






SO....my time to brag...or look like a fool. So when I heard that there was going to be an adult pie eating contest, I had to enter.  It's a family tradition to have pie eating contests at family reunions.  Our family goes at it.  No nibble here, dab the napkin there, type of deal.  No no.  You smash your face into the pie and scarf as FAST as you can.  Chewing is a bother, swallowing is preferable. I've had cousins inhale a pie--a mini one--in one bite...or so it seemed.

I was not prepared for a WHOLE pie eating contest though....Another lady and I competed against 4 guys.  Guess who got 1st and 2nd?






This was about a minute into the competition.  Look at the guys' pies.  Then look at the ladies'.


Yep!  I won!  Last time I did a pie eating contest I really thought I was going to win, but I didn't.  My friend Kristi beat me.  This time around, although I wanted to win, I went in as a more humble contestant. Though my gag reflex never triggered, it sure got pretty close. I was even full from dinner.  I'll have to plan that out better next time.  But I did not get sick.  Here is my pie when the contest ending at 1 minute 15 seconds.


Me with the angel


I didn't blink so she hadn't killed me yet!


AND the snow kept coming.  I always love the first snow of the season and I am glad that it is all melted.  There is plenty of time for snow in Dec, Jan and Feb.

Happy Halloween!