Halloween Evening

 

Beware goblins, witches, and ghosts! Hedgehog Dave-o and Firefighter Boy Noah protect this neighborhood.

Rachel and I had fun taking the two boys around out neighborhood. The two trick-or-treaters loved going house to house knocking on doors. However, there was one particular home that sent them running. As they approached the spooky, strobe-lit porch, an evil clown came to life. At first the two boys just stared at it. Once it began to talk and laugh Dave-o yelled, "Run!" And he ran with Noah screaming behind him.  

Dave-o and Noah at Mrs. Burke's house. She let them take as many pieces of candy they wanted.

 

Meanwhile, Kirsten was spending her last trick-or-treating experience with her friend Jessica. Justin invited a girl over. Ohhhh! I know! Crazy, huh! Her name is Tara and they met in Zions Choir. She seems nice, but I'm afraid we may have scared her off. She comes from a family of girls and seemed a bit overwhelmed with all the boys running around our house. Justin and Tara ended up watching Thor, which is the first "action hero" movie she has seen (she told us that her family only watches romantic movies). James had some friends over to watch Signs. Then they went to a haunted house a few blocks away from us. We ended the evening playing Apples to Apples.  

(James' pumpkin is of a wolf chasing a person; Steven's is the joy from winning the World Series; David's is SF Forty-Niners; Kirsten's a happy face; and Dave-o's a fire face.)

They chose me from my brother:

"That’s the nicest one,” they said,

And they carved me out a face

And put a candle in my head;

And they set me on the doorstep.

Oh, the night was dark and wild;

But when they lit the candle,

Then I smiled!

They Carved me out a Face

Time to carve those pumpkins!

Dave-o, Justin, and Steven

Kirsten (Look at the thick walls in Kirsten's pumpkin!)

Dave-o was a little imp.

He ran around with the carving knives.

He went from one pumpkin to the next, slashing them.

He slung pumpkin guts at us all.

He splashed water on anyone near enough.

He rammed into us.

And all of this was done with a smile and a devilish giggle.

 

 

Breaking out our Brooms for a Thorough Sweep

I never thought the World Series would end this way.

But it did.

The Giants swept the Tigers!

Hundreds of miles didn't stop my siblings, Douglas and Deborah, and I from sharing in the excitement of the entire Playoff Series through texting. It was as close to watching it together in the same room as we could get.

Congratulations San Francisco Giants!

The Bay area will welcome you back home with open arms.

Pumpkin Patch

Uesigi Farms provided us with our pumpkins yet again. We love coming to this place. Although, this time, David lamented on that fact that it's becoming to commercialized. "It's turning into a Disneyland," he claims. Regardless of how "commercial" it's grown, this pumpkin patch holds a lot of memories for our family which is why we are regulars.

Kirsten chose an amazing pumpkin. It's going to make a great Jack-o-Lantern.

Dave-o stood at the fence watching the fun trains go by, yelling to us that he wants to go on it.

Steven and Justin enjoyed trying to lift the big pumpkins over their head.

Steven and James

Dave-o continued to stand at the fence. He had no interest in picking a pumpkin out.

When I wanted to take a picture of the kids, Dave-o immediately tipped the brim of his hat down.

Then it came down even farther.

David ended up turning the cap around, leaving an unhappy Dave-o. Poor guy. He just wants to ride the train.

And he finally got that chance.

Kirsten and I went with Dave-o.

James, David, Steven, and Justin

See you next year pumpkin patch.

Spooktacular Party

 Our ward's annual Harvest Festival was and is always an activity that everyone enjoys.

Dave-o as a hedgehog (idea found here at The Train to Crazy blog) and Kirsten as a beautiful artist.

Steven as a lumberjack and James, well, he was a, teenager. Justin didn't come with us. He went to Branham's homecoming game.

Dave-o had fun in the bounce house and hanging out with his buddy, Noah.

Kirsten and her friend Elizabeth

The hayride is always popular

Our friend, Bob Sundstrom is creepy! Kirsten knew where to go when she got cold.

James and his friend, Josh, handed out candy to all the "Trunk-or-treaters". A little info on the side, James is strict! He lectured all the older kids who went around two and even three times for candy. Steven played his violin for candy (a "starving musician") and made out like a bandit.

And Dave-o was the cutest "trunk-or-treater" EVER!

Orange October

The first storm of autumn brought joy to Giants fans as we celebrated their NL Pennant win against the Cardinals. For the second time in three years, the World Series will be in my city by the bay. My home. The Giants are to play the well rested Tigers in a World Series that seemed out of reach so many times. Can they do it? I'm a believer. Are you?

 

Let Him heal your heart

Justin looked like a seasoned pro at tonight's first Zion Choir concert. It was a heartwarming, inspirational, and a faith builder experience listening to the youth share the light of the Gospel through music.

This year's theme is "Let Him heal your heart".
Here are the list of songs they performed and will performing throught the Bay Area:

Now Thank We All Our God
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
A Foolish Man
I Need Thee Every Hour
Oh, Sweet the Joy This Sentence Gives
The Morning Trumpet
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need
Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs
Still, My Soul Be Still
Joy in the Morning
Redeemer of Israel

The "Sweetest Day" of the year

In 1922, a Cleveland man by the name Herbert Birch Kingston, a candy company employee, delivered candy to those in need including orphans and the elderly-a gesture to let them know they were not forgotten. During the years that followed, other Clevelanders began to participate in the celebration, which came to be called "Sweetest Day". In time, the Sweetest Day idea of spreading cheer to the underprivileged, friends, or relatives on the third Saturday in October was broadened to other cities all over the country.

What a wonderful opportunity to make someone happy with a kind act. It is a reminder that a thoughtful word or deed enriches the lives of those we touch in kindness.

Last night, Kirsten and I made festive cones which we filled with candy and fudge. Then today, the kids hung them on the doors of our neighbors and friends.

In the afternoon, we met Mom and Dad Zinn in beautiful Monterey.

Dave-o actually held the bird this time and was okay with it until it grabbed hold of his jacket.

We had lunch.

And candy

(Steven, Kirsten, Dave-o, David, James, and Me-Justin stayed home to prepare for a talk)

 

And just as we were leaving, the sky cleared and the sun shone.

It was definitely the Sweetest Day. Especially for my nephew, Aaron, who was baptized today.

Love you Aaron!