Happy Halloween!

Their expressions seem appropriate for the holiday.

Translation, Please

A few readers asked this question: "What is Trunk or Treat?"

It is an annual tradition at my church (as long as I'm Activities Committee Chairperson, anyway) that involves two wards, about 300 kids, and tons of candy. Everyone pulls up to the church, parks, the kids walk around the parking lot once (a "parade," if you will), then they go from car to car and say, "Trunk or Treat!"

They get enough candy that we really don't need to buy any for Halloween night, if I can just sneak away the kids' candy when they're not looking.

Costume Comparison

On Saturday, our ward held our annual Trunk or Treat, which I think is a great tradition. We get to see all the church kids (and friends) in their costumes, and the kids load up on lots of candy with very little effort.

When we got home, I thought I'd take some really good pictures of the boys while they were still in costume.

Nate likes to run in his green Power Ranger costume so he can see his cape flying behind him. He couldn't be bothered to stop for a picture.
... and this is Christopher, who is dressed as Peter from the Narnia series. Unlike Nate, Christopher didn't have quite as much energy. It could be due to the fact that he had been eating candy pretty much non-stop since the Trunk or Treat event began.

But that's what Halloween is all about, right?

Cat O' Lantern

Our family hasn't been on the ball enough to carve pumpkins (yet) this Halloween season, but luckily, Adam's family came through for Christopher.

He worked many hours yesterday carving his pumpkin and we are all very impressed with the results!

We Got Boo'd

I love this Halloween tradition. By now, we usually have "boo'd" someone in our neighborhood, but they beat us to it this year! (The picture, by the way, is from the Disney Halloween party)

The Phantom Ghost has come to town,
To leave you some goodies, I see you have found.
If you do not wish a curse to fall,
Continue this greeting, this Phantom's call.

First, post this Phantom where it can be seen,
And leave it there until Halloween.
This will scare other Phantoms who may visit.
Be sure to participate, you don't want to miss it!

Second, make two treats & two copies of this Ghost with a grin
Deliver them to two neighbors where this Phantom hasn't been
Don't let them see you, be sneaky, no doubt …
And make sure they put their Phantom Ghost out!

Next, you have only one day to act, so be quick!
Leave it at doors where the Phantom hasn't hit.
Deliver at dark when there isn't much light...
Ring the doorbell and run, and stay out of sight!!

And last, but not least, come join in the season.
Don't worry, be happy, you need no good reason.
This is all in good fun and we are just trying to say...
HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND HAVE A GREAT DAY

Thoughtfulness

We do realize that we have really wonderful cats in our family, who often do kind and unexpected things. Why, just last night, Kida made a surprise visit to the Gerard family next door. Skyler said, "Mom! Kristy's cat is in my room!" Julie thought she was joking, until Skyler convinced her to check it out, and Kida jumped off the bench in the dark and scared the wits out of Julie. Isn't that cute?

And heck, just yesterday morning, as I went to get our breakfast cereal from the pantry, I found that Pierre had dropped off a little "gift." I like to think that it's his way of contributing to the household: you know, hunting and gathering.

Now tell me: how could anyone not adore our cats?

Buddies

Every morning, as soon as Nate wakes up, he says, "Can I play with Skyler?"

Every day at Disneyworld, he called (real and pretend) her to update her on our activities, and he calls her from his (pretend) phone every time we're in the car to let her know when we'll be home.

It is lucky that the Gerard family lives next door to us, or we'd spend a lot of gas money driving around so these two could hang out!

Disney Magic

You know, when you take a long family vacation (two weeks is a big one for our family), one of two things can happen: 1) You come home, refusing to speak to each other, and vow never to go on vacation together again, or 2) You come home, well rested, ready to get back to real life, and get along better than ever.

Fortunately, in the case of our Florida vacation, the latter option prevailed. The boys are now actually able to spend small amounts of time together without stitches, bruises, or tears.

And you know what? Now that Nate is older, and both boys are seasoned travelers, dare I say that traveling with them is almost ... easy? Ted and Mary might disagree, but I think the boys are more fun than ever to take on vacation.

Flying business class doesn't hurt, either. Thanks to Mr. Executive Platinum (aka Matt Merrill) for that.

Anyone's Game

I want Laura to win. Elegant. Feisty. Six kids?!

Wait ... Jeffrey is really talented. Edgy. Fun.

But Michael is quite irresistable. An odds-overcomer.

I do like Uli's prints, though. And she does live in Miami.


Dang. I'd better get the kids to bed early tomorrow night!


Project Runway (Bravo, TV-PG)
Did Jeffrey cheat? Did Michael choke? Has Uli ever met a print she didn't twist into easy, breezy beach chic? All will be revealed in tonight's four-finalist finale — except maybe any real proof that Jeffrey had extra help (underground, reality-show-rigging sweatshops are notoriously difficult to bust). Having seen all four collections (EW snagged tickets to the Fashion Week show), we can attest that it's still anybody's game — which means we'll fight no matter who gets crowned. But that's as much a part of the Runway experience as insane challenges, fussy models, and, yes, making it work.

Happy [Married] Valley

The American Community Survey, released this month by the Census Bureau, found that 49.7 percent, or 55.2 million, of the nation’s 111.1 million households in 2005 were made up of married couples -- with and without children -- just shy of a majority and down from more than 52 percent five years earlier.

The proportion of married couples ranged from more than 69 percent in Utah County, Utah, which includes Provo, to 26 percent in Manhattan, which has a smaller share of married couples than almost anyplace in the country.

Beach Day

We spent all day driving around, looking at property for new FedEx Kinko's locations in East Central Florida. Fortunately, Nate and I were able to sneak in a nap, and we also spent a lot of time at two beaches.

My favorite beach was at Lighthouse Park, which is south of Daytona Beach. We arrived just before the sunset and it was spectacular. Nate loved being out in the ocean, getting rolled by the waves (yes, his daddy was right by his side), and Christopher enjoyed digging trenches in the sand.

Tomorrow is our last Disney Day. I think I may have to endure the Dumbos more than once.

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

We are having so much fun that we decided to extend our trip to Friday. There is too much to see and do here in just a week! The kids are both on fall break and Matt worked all day yesterday from the hotel's business center. Tomorrow, we're off to the shore, where Matt is going to look at a few possible FedEx Kinko's locations.

How Papa and Mana Feel Today

Papa and Mana are excellent traveling companions. Let's take a moment to examine their finest traveling qualitites:

• They will go to any park, at any time.
• They will eat at any restaurant, at any time.
• They travel with only one suitcase. For both of them.
• They like to take naps.
• They like to take pictures.
• They think their grandchildren are brilliant and funny.
• They pay for pretty much anything.

Who could ask for anything more?

Today, I asked Papa, "Do you want to go to Magic Kingdom in the morning?"

And, for the first time this trip, Papa didn't say, "We're with you! Whatever you want to do, we'll do."

Instead, he said, "Don't count on us."

I asked, "Have you had about enough Family Fun Time?"

He said, without even hesitating, "Yes."

Favorites and Not-So-Favorites

We have had an incredibly busy and exhausting trip so far. In the past three days, we have been to Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. Rather than detail out what we did each and every day, I have asked each member of our group to list their favorite and not-so-favorite moments of the trip so far. I will proceed in order of age, from youngest to oldest:

Nate's Fave: Well, I liked going on the Dumbos, because they're colorful and wonderful.

Nate's Not-So-Fave: I didn't like the fireworks because they were too loud and too big.

Christopher's Fave: I have three favorites. I can't choose just one, because I like them all the same:

• Mad Tea Party
• Kali River Rapids
• Pin Shopping

Christopher's Not-So-Fave: I hate Splash Mountain. I went on Splash Mountain because I was bribed with $25 to spend on pins. I got $30 after the ride and I chose three pins for my collection.

Kristy's Fave: Splash Mountain was a favorite moment of mine, because the contrast between my two kids was so pronounced. At the end of the ride, Christopher breathed a deep sigh of relief and said, "I'm alive!" Nate, who refused to put his arms down and/or hold on, said, "I want to go again!"

Kristy's Not-So-Fave: Waking up early. It is, however, mandatory to wake up early so as to get to the parks early for the best possible Disney experience. We got to Epcot too late and it was a real bummer to fight the crowds in the parking lot and battle everyone for the fast passes. The Disney magic fades fast when you have to wait in long lines and everybody is hot and cranky.

I also do not enjoy vacationing at Disney parks with grumpy adults who clearly do not have kids of their own. They often get huffy at children and seem to feel entitled to do so. Hello!? You are at Disneyworld, people!

Matt's Fave: Sneaking drinks from the minibar at The Ritz-Carlton in South Beach

Matt's Not-So-Fave: The drive from Miami to Orlando in the crummy rented Ford Taurus.

[Editor's Note: Although we are on a family vacation, Matt has been very productive, having taken several conference calls, usually at the pool, and has been working in the peaceful quiet of the balcony. Sometimes, though, I do confess an urge to grab that Treo and hurl it out the window.]

Mary's Fave: I loved Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The parade, the costumes, and the fireworks were just wonderful.

Mary's Not-So-Fave: The swamp water which makes all the drinks in Florida. All the water in the drinking fountains and soft drinks seems to have come from the pond where the birds live in Animal Kingdom.

Ted's Fave: Bribing the Big Boy to go on Splash Mountain. It's great to see the effects of what a big 2-0 will do.

Ted's Not-So-Fave: Drinking swamp water. I can't hack it.

You should know that I have taken at least a kajillion, and possibly more, photos that I would love to share with you, but in the time it takes to upload one image, I can take the kids for a quick swim at the pool, and it might or might not be done when we get back. I've uploaded some to Flickr, so check back for a new badge and new pictures often.

The Culprit

Nah, he didn't drink the Grey Goose or the Bombay Sapphire. He assured me he just poured them down the drain.

At $9 a pop.

What Happened Here?

If you had a fully stocked minibar at your hotel, and you came across this scene (two empty bottles of Grey Goose vodka and two empty bottles of Bombay Sapphire gin), what would you assume had happened?

What is Wrong With this Picture?

What is it about this luggage that doesn't seem right? Could it be that there's just not enough luggage for our family of four?

Oh, yes! That's it! One suitcase seems to be missing ... a big, blue one that belongs to Kristy. And who loaded the car this morning, you ask? Matt. He. Didn't. Bring. My. Suitcase.

I was quite cranky about this development, as you can imagine, right? However, I did feel much better when we arrived at Brent's hotel (The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach) and found, in one of our two spectacular rooms, a cheese plate for me, along with four chilled Diet Cokes and a plate of limes. Double Happiness!

I sat next to a lovely woman on our flight who suggested that Matt had not just forgotten my suitcase, but rather, it was his way of communicating to me that I should go shopping and buy all new clothes. Now, that is seeing the glass as half full! So, Brent and I went shopping in Miami Beach tonight and found a few lovely replacements. Brent imagined what it would be like to wear wool sweaters again, and offered his opinions on my clothing choices. He observed that I like things "Plain, plain, with a side of plain."

And this? This is just day one of our vacation.

Let the Disney Magic Commence

We're off to Orlando for a 10-day family vacation to see Mickey & friends, the Kennedy Space Center, beaches, pools, and of course, Brent Hall. Our first night will be in South Beach with Brent at The Ritz-Carlton, then on to Mickey Land.

Assuming the laptop, all appropriate cables and connections work properly, we will be providing many photos of our adventures for your viewing pleasure.