I'm so glad when Daddy comes home

The Arch

We were planning on going to the Arch on Saturday but were worried since it was forecasted to rain.  The Arch on a cloudy day is not nearly as fun as when your view is not inhibited by clouds. Thursday was beautiful and sunny so we decided to go without Jared and the girls.

Jacob's favorite view:

The observation windows

Jacob trying out the ball in the baseball exhibit in the Gateway to the West Musuem underneath the arch

Jacob and Grandpa relaxing in the seats from the old stadium

Although it never did rain on Saturday, it was a perfect day for the Arch and left time for more fun activities on Saturday.

Halloween

The Primary Program was on Halloween. The girls did a great job on their parts.  The older kids all wrote talks and Katy did a great job.  During the song Nephi's courage 3 boys from one family sang the second verse and Bella, Xandy, and Katy sang the third verse.  All the kids did a terrific job.  Its my favorite Sunday of the year!

We promised the kids we'd go to the parade since its our last Halloween here.  So even though its Sunday we off to the parade now.

Update: The parade was 2 hours long with over 115 groups in it.  Some groups having multiple floats.  We had a blast but I didn't take any pictures.  I'll have to check with Rochelle to see if she took any.

Trick or Treat

We carved pumpkins Thursday night.

 Bella made two side to her pumpkin and insisted on a picture with both sides

The older girls ran out of time and finished theirs Friday evening.

 The Westons came over for dinner and Trick-or-Treating on Saturday.  We had the traditional sloppy joe cooked in a pumpkin and I also tried Butternut Squash Black Bean chili served in a pumpkin also.   We remade the Spider Bread from last year, but halfed it this time so it wasn't as overwhelming.  Our trick-or-treat is always the day before Halloween because the city has a parade on Halloween.  I love Halloween and I love how in this world of "me, me, me" that people will pay to give candy kids they often don't even know.  Our neighborhood gets a couple hundred trick or treaters so this is no cheap endeavor.   It  brings such a fun sense of community to the neighborhood.  People out on the street talking and visiting while enjoying fires and food, its great.

Josephine's

Wednesday for lunch the Jeanne, Grandma, and I went to lunch.  Grandpa and Jacob packed a picnic and headed for a boys trip to the park.  Jacob was proud as a peacock to be going out with Grandpa by himself.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch and dessert with some gift shop browsing afterwards.

Cahokia Mounds

Tuesday we went to the Cahokia Mounds. Its 150 some steps to the top. We were very surprised Jacob made it to the top himself. When he got to the top he let out a big breath and went "phew". I was afraid the lady coming down was going to fall and kill herself she was laughing so hard at him

The view from the top

Fall Parties

Bella's Class

Xandy coloring at her desk

Bella during the parade.  The girls' elementary school is next to one of the middle schools so the kids walked around the track for their costume parade.  I overheard one little girl complain to her friend "this is more like a REALLY long walk than a parade.  I didn't get to throw any candy" 

Bella and Madison playing Halloween Bingo

The pumpkin spoon relay.  Not sure why Bella left her clothes on under her shirt and poodle skirt

Xandy making a handprint Bat craft

The kids in Xandy's class thought we looked like sisters in our costumes.  Liz and I may not be sisters, but we are neighbors and good friends