Pumpkin Carving-Pros and Cons

Let's face it--carving pumpkins is one thing, but the prep work can be very yucky. Parker would have absolutely nothing to do with pulling out the "guts." The photographer was laughing so hard (but not out loud) at the disgusted looks on his face, that the camera wouldn't hold still!!

Now Carson, on the other hand, loved getting into the gushy, slimy stuff more than the actual carving.

Grandpa really did help with the cleaning out, but his favorite part was holding this little monkey. How can you resist this kid, when he gazes up at you with those huge, light blue eyes! His little tummy shows evidence of the great meal that prefaced the pumpkin activity. Carrie had made homemake cheese soup, homemade rolls, and caramel apples. A downright domesticated diva she has become!!!

While all the indoor activity was taking place, Carl and Sam were working on finishing the stair rails for the deck. We'll save that, however, for another blog!

Another Wedding and a Birthday

This has been quite a weekend!! The last three weekends we have been at a wedding--Tracie, Susan's sister, in the Idaho Falls Temple; then Kim's cousin, Kinsey, in the botanical gardens of the Indianapolis, Indiana, zoo; then this weekend in Taylorsville, Utah, at the Majestic Meadows clubhouse. You can't say we don't have diversity in our family...

Prior to the wedding, however, we also got to celebrate Paul's 50th birthday!! I was going to post a photo of him blowing out the candles on his lemon meringue birthday pie, but this one is much, much better! I've never seen Paul's smile so wide as when he is with "his friend," Mary Hansen. Dare I say on a blog how much we love Mary?...She is fun, funny, and seemed to take all the craziness of the weekend in stride!

Here is the happy couple, Cheryl (formerly Barney) and Morris Bell.

Morris' oldest daughter, Elizabeth, friend Amy, and son Trevin. Trevin was the ringbearer (carried down the aisle by Elizabeth).
We got a kick out of this photo. The clubhouse where the wedding and reception were held had been decorated with Halloween decorations prior to the festivities. Someone forgot to remove this poster over the gift table, however!
Here's a cheesy threesome--Pat, Barb, and Paul
This is our mother's brother, Dayle Dunkley, and his wife Verdeana. They came down from Pocatello, Idaho where they now live with their daughter.

Indiana 2008

Our annual fall trip back to Indiana was as much fun as ever. There is non-stop action/fun/drama/trauma/craziness/you-name-it back there. Mike, Kim, Courtney, and Camilla always make us feel welcome, as do the Priebes and the Prices (Kelly--Kim's sister--and Greg). The weather was absolutely fantastic, which was even better because we missed the snow in Utah that weekend.

Here's the foursome right after Courtney's choir concert. She is quite the talented little musician! Mike always has a project he and his dad can work on...this time it was setting the posts for a new fence.

Camilla has a new cat--Franny. She's darling, but she's in jeopardy--the day after we came home Mike tripped over the cat, then Camilla's bicycle and sprained his ankle.

It's a tradition that Courtney and Grandma make/cook something when we come to visit. This time it was "fairy fudge" from a cookbook Shandy and Curtis gave Courtney for Christmas. It turned out mighty fine. We even had a "secret ingredient"...marachino cherry juice to make the fudge pink!

One of the reasons we chose this weekend to go back was because Kinsey Priebe, Kim's cousin, was getting married. Courtney and Camilla were junior bridesmaids. Kim was matron of honor and head wedding planner, and Michael was best man. The wedding was held at the Indianapolis Zoo botanical gardens, and it was a beautiful setting.

Theresa and Kent Priebe with their newly married daughter, Mrs.Kinsey P. O'Connell.