October fun and wonderful surprises - Our Halloween

October started getting cold.  Out came the hats and cardigans and long sleeve shirts and boots again for everyone....everyone except...

Except for Dan who wears shorts almost all year round in Seattle.  It actually hardly ever hit freezing here in Seattle due to all the water and clouds we have.  Nonetheless, he doesn't get cold as easily or he really likes his shorts because he wears them all the time, hot or cold.

This event here is Salmon Day.  Lots of booths where you can purchase local goods.  Our favorite part was seeing the salmon swimming back to the hatchery

Reena's school had a field trip a few days after the Salmon Day Festival on October 4th-5th and they went to the Hatchery to learn all about the Salmon.  They even painted salmon on their shirts.  Ask her about salmon and she'll tell you all about them.  She educated us about them for days

October surprise
  Surprises are fun and my family loves surprises.  Our surprise this month was a visit from aunt Thuyen.  She went to San Francisco for a business trip and seeing that San Fran was fairly close she book a ticket out of her own money to come visit us.  We felt so loved.  The kids love their aunt.  She went out of her way to visit us, how could we not love her

We went and saw Box Trolls with her at the theater

She and I went back to one of her favorite places to visit in Issaquah - The Issaquah Farm Market.  It is an outdoor market much like Pike Place Market in Seattle where you get to shop for local goods at an amazing price.  Like this $5 bouquet of freshly grown flowers from nearby farms.  She also love this place because this was where she got all of the flowers for her wedding.

I got some local honey and veggies.  We ate the most amazing baguette style sausages and sweet peppers

We bought some yummy handmade pasta as well.  Too expensive ($7 for that tiny bag, but very yummy!!                        

My sister loves unripe tomatoes.  We had so many to give.  She felt like the trip was worth it. We love having so many family members visiting us this year

My preschool had a field trip to Trinity Tree Farm

I chose a day the girls didn't have school so they could join in the fun

Such a gentleman pulling his sisters on the wheel barrow

Train ride, bouncy houses, good food.  It was such a fun farm

Such bizarre looking gourds

Debrie also had a farm field trip.  She went to Jubilee Farm with her class

Surprise!  Grandpa is back in the States from Vietnam and he decided to change his plane ride to stop in Seattle for a visit first before heading back to Philadelphia.  My dad had to change his tickets twice because his mom's health was not stable.  He was scheduled to come back mid September but did not actually come back 'til mid October after his mom was nursed back to health

We took my dad to Pike Place Market and to Beechers cheese factory to sample some cheese.  Always fun for me to have an extra set of hands to watch Ronin

Every year near Halloween our community bring in some very fun slides and booths to celebrate.  This year I thought the things they brought in were really cool. Dan's best friend Chris Harvey came to our house for a visit.  He and the guys went out to eat so it was just the girls and I for a mother daughter/son date

It's beginning to look a lot like Fall, every where we go.

Our ward had a Fabulous Friday event that I went to and made some crafts.

Dan had another business trip to go on this year.  He was sent to Nashville and surrounding fulfillment centers where his tool that he developed was used.  We did not know in advance that he would be going to the FC so I still went ahead and had friends over for dinner.  

 Our Halloween was great this year.  We had a ward Halloween festival and Dan missed it because of a business trip.  Our ward's primary was in charge of the Halloween Festival this year.  Some things were changed and I guess it was for the better.  They used to have awards giving out to the best such and such but they got rid of that as it didn't create a good atmosphere and made some children felt bad they didn't win.  When our family dressed up as "How to train your dragon" characters we just simply got recognized.  This year they just had everyone dressed up do a parade and everyone was happy.  I think we look pretty dang sharp but I get that they got rid of awards system.  This way everyone was happy they got to shine and none of the kids felt bad they didn't win.  Debrie was just glad her costume didn't look like 30 other Elsa's and Reena was happy to finally make up her mind about what to be.  I'm glad I had the supplies to narrow down her options for her.

We got together with some friends and carved pumpkins at our house and then ate pumpkin pancakes

While daddy was on his business trip, kids get to break rules like this.  They begged, I gave in, they get our tub

Halloween Fall Festival

Ronin was an Ewok but he did not like to put on the top part of his costume

Dan's birthday was not missed.  He came home a day before his birthday.from his 2 days business trip   I'm glad he doesn't have to go on a lot of business trips.  He doesn't go for long and we see each other on the webcam a lot but I miss him a tons when he goes on these important business trip.  When he came home he got a little birthday treat with friends.  We all went trick or treating and then partied until 10:30 at another friend's house.  It was eventful





Halloween at our house
  Every year recently we've set up our porch to hold hotdogs wassel and a few other treats for trick or treaters and their parents.  Our neighbors now call our house the hot dog house on Halloween



I predisposed my children before they went out trick or treating that they need to aim for the chocolate.  Yes we did end up with more chocolate this year.  That was a must because I bought 7 bags of chocolate to give out so heck yeah they need to bring some chocolate back.  Lol.

Such a strong little guy

Dan and I have been going to bed soon after the kids go to bed (at home, not since we've been on our So Cal vacay).  This is around 10:00-10:30.  This is very early for us midnight owls but let me tell you it is a very smart and wise decision.  I feel younger, fresher and I'm telling ya I feel the difference.  I love going to bed early.  I don't get my crafts and things done but who cares.  I feel fresher.  Just a note to future posterity that like to go to bed late :)
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