Dreary on Halloween

It's been raining a lot lately so no surprise that it rained tonight on Halloween. It also rained enough yesterday to delay my flight home from DC by 2 hrs, but that's another story. But no worries, tonight's rain did not dampen the spirits of all the little princesses, super heroes and goblins that live on our street. They trudged on with umbrellas and slickers without a care in the world - I mean free candy is free candy after all, right? Sam retired early and helped me give out candy, and thankfully almost all of it went. That's good in this house because I'd end up eating the leftovers.

I'm also including a few pics from our church's annual Trunk or Treat from earlier this week - which I just love. That night was absolutely stellar so we got at least one good night of costume wearin' in without having to bundle up. Gotta love Halloween in Georgia!

I thought this little pumpkin was a small child at first glance - I think Jack did too

Beetle bug Sutton

In betweeen raindrops, Bill took these

I've got my eye on you

Our lovely senior pastor, Dr. Self

Chicken Johnny and Chicken Gee

Polka dot princesses

There's just something about polka dots on little girls, isn't there? I got to photograph these two lovelies along with their lovely parents on Saturday after t-ball fun and putt putt madness. It started out a beautiful day - and that lasted about 10 minutes before the clouds rolled in and blocked out the sun - again. It was cold and blustery and grey, but these gals soldiered on and never complained once. I, on the other hand, was whimpering into my SCARF. Okay, I'm exaggerating a little - but I was wearing a scarf.

Anyway, Chris and Krista and their polka dot gals were great to photograph and even their youngest miss - albeit between adorable pouts - managed to sneak me a few smiles. Bribery works every time! Below are a few from the afternoon. Thanks guys!

Too much fun

Last night - official pumpkin carving night - was too much fun. I hadn't carved a pumpkin since middle school, and going in I was worried I would come out with a lopsided face (the pumpkin's not mine) or one less finger (me, not the pumpkin). Luckily neither happened. Jack and Sam were great helpers - they told me where to cut, cheered me on when I sliced around the top and poked out the eyes, but did they reach in and dig out the pulp? No way. "Ewwww, that's gross." Jack helped with a spoon (protected by safety goggles) - you never can be too careful - but I was so surprised that neither wanted to dig in with their hands. That was the best part for me! Thankfully, Bill was the expert cleaner-upper as we splattered pumpkin everywhere.

The kitchen was a mess, and I had pulp in my hair, but we ended up with two reasonably well-carved jack-o-lanterns (at least from far away). The big mouthed one is named Jack (surprised?) and the toothy one is named Sam in honor of the first lost tooth. We also have an un-carved, smaller pumpkin named Timmy. Why you ask? No earthly idea.

Normally (and sadly), I'm usually focused on too much of everything else - too much email, too much TV, too much work, too much laundry, but tonight was just too much fun. We danced in the kitchen, carved and dug and scooped, of course saved a few seeds to plant in the yard (does that actually work?). In the words of Jack, "it was the best time ever!" Some before shots

And now for the fun part!

All aglow on the stoop!

Pumpkins are here!

My favorite season is the Fall. I love the crisp mornings, having a great reason for decadent hot chocolate, wearing jeans and a t-shirt (in Georgia you can do that), and I just love the changing colors of the season. I also love pumpkins and the quest to pick the perfect gourd. It's sort of an obsession for me. I don't know about you, but I much prefer the fat squatty ones to the tall thinner ones. There's just something about a round, fat pumpkin that is pleasing to the eye (at least mine).

So, off we went to Uncle Shucks with our Sunday School class. This year was a little disappointing though - the pumpkins were a bit picked over, and the gorgeous, sky-high sunflowers from last year were nowhere in sight. I'm sure this awful rain had something to do with it, but I was SOO looking forward to watching the kids run through the giant stalks.

Anyhow, I snapped a few pics before we left and ended up stopping at another pumpkin patch on the way home. There we found three for the price of one at Uncle Shucks. I guess I know where the Andersons will be pumpkin shopping next year! The boys loved the pumpkins we picked and of course haven't stopped asking me when they'll be carved. Stay tuned for the before and after pics. Happy Fall!