I don't like "firty"

Grayson: Mom, I don't like "firty".
Me: You don't like thirty? Why not?
Grayson: Because it's really really old.

But then he redeemed himself-

Me: Well, I'm thirty, do you think I'm old?
Gray: No.

And then he smiled his cute little smile and all was forgiven. :)

My not-so-living NIGHTMARE!

Most people who know me know that I have one paralyzing fear. And I use "paralyzing" in very literal way.

Mice.

I know that very few people like them, I get that. But I can't move and go into hysterics just at the sight of an empty mouse trap.

Shortly after we moved into our house last year it occurred to me that our back yard borders a pretty large forest area and what do you find in forests? Squirrels and bunnies, yes. And we see plenty of those. But it was the fact that mice might abide there that bothered me.

I called pest control immediately (probably before we had our gas or electricity hooked up). They came and set these super poison trap thingies in the basement and come every couple of months to check on them. I usually ask about it and they usually tell me that there has been some "activity".

"Activity", I now realize, is a very nice way of saying that your house is completely infested. But in almost a year and a half I have seen nothing so I let my little brain assume that the pest controllers are liars and just after our money. But I make sure they keep coming anyway.

And then it happened. Last Tuesday I went to the basement to start some laundry and I saw IT.

A dead mouse. To say I freaked out would be one of the biggest understatements EVER. And it was dead. Had it been alive my heart might have actually stopped between beats. The way I reacted will for sure make my poor 4 year old seek therapy someday. But my husband saved the day by "taking care of it" and checking out the entire basement. Given a choice I would never go down there again but then we'd have to join a nudist colony seeing as how we wouldn't have any clothes.

There have been no other signs thus far but I still won't go to the basement before an intense investigation is performed or without a chaperon. Which reminds me-Richard already left for work and laundry needs to be done. Oh well, maybe tomorrow...

Invisible Thanksgiving pictures

Tablecloth and napkins ironed, China washed, placecards made. Went through all of the effort to set the Thanksgiving table and even charged the camara to take a picture with all of our guests. And as you can see, the photo is posted here, next to the one of last year. Meaning...didn't take any- either time. I especially should have taken a picture of the turkey. I'm adding this picture, although not my turkey, because it looked pretty darn close. I figured that since last year I didn't kill anyone I would attempt some flavor in the turkey this year. And, by golly, thanks to Reynold's and their genius cooking bags and a little seasoning it worked! Alright, enough horn tooting. We had a great time with the Giles, Cotters, and Nelsons. Some of our "family away from family". It was a terrific Thanksgiving!

Yep- I was out there

Black Friday, I did it. However, unlike the past couple of years, I did NOT get up early and wait out in the cold for the stores to open. I did peek at the clock in my room at 6:30 a.m. and think "I am so glad I'm in bed right now". Then, at my leisure, I made it to Target, oh around 11:00. And guess what. Found everything I was looking for. Sometimes it's best not to know (or care) what you missed.

All Hallows Eve

Aunt Jennie with Captain Cody, Darth Vader, and the Midnight Fairy.

Very very scary! Okay, not really.

We love Halloween here in New England. It's back to the very traditional Halloween that I remember as a kid. Don't get me wrong- I do like the Trunk or Treats but I kind of feel like they take away from the old-school feel of Halloween. I know they're safer, more convenient, and quicker for when it's freezing cold but come on. I love the million kids running around the neighborhood and people sitting on their porch oohing and aahing over every costume.

We went to the Adams' house (yes, to see the Adams Family, he he) for a party and then went trick-or-treating in their neighborhood. There were kids EVERYWHERE and it was so festive and fun! I should've weighed to see how much candy they got. I guess I can just weigh myself and see how many pounds I've gained. It's probably about equivilent, unfortunately.

"Gimme Gimme!" Yeah, he's only eaten about 2 pieces of candy since that night over a week ago. I have a friend here who has started "Treats for Troops" where she sets up some drop-offs for people to give some of their Halloween surplus. Then she arranges to have it donated to the troops serving outside of the U.S. Her motto- "Don't let your Halloween candy go to waste, or waist." What a great idea!

The night before Halloween Richard, Wes, and Jennie went on a haunted walking tour in Salem. From what I hear it was pretty dang spooky. Now that's Halloween!

Octoberfest at the Davis household

We've had a fun couple of weeks. First my parents and Aaron visited the weekend before Halloween. They were able to go with us to the ward Trunk or Treat but basically just came to hang out and enjoy our awesome company. We went to the beach when the tide was ultra low (not just low...ultra low). This is super awesome, especially on an off-season day because you can walk along the shore and find TONS of cool stuff like shells, sand dollars, and starfish. But luckily the kids learned a valuable lesson from their last time at the beach- Do NOT bring a live clam home and keep it in your room as a pet. Sand dollars make better pets.

The day after they left Wes and Jennie came to visit. They were here for a week and we had tons of fun! We did lots of seeing of the sites but mostly just enjoyed being together.

We teamed up to do pumpkins this year. Grayson and Jennie, Savannah and Wes, Riley and I, and Rich was on his own.

Cute and fun, just like Grayson and Jennie.

Mean and scary, just like Mommy. And Riley when he wants to be.

Sweet and goofy, just like Savannah and Wes.

Richard had a fondness for his pumpkin. In fact it sleeps on my side of the bed now. He he he!

We love to have visitors and had such a great time with everyone. Thanks for coming to see us!

~Apple Picking and Columbus Day 2008~

Apple Picking

We did our 2nd annual apple picking trip this last weekend. We do a hayride, go through a hedge maze, and hike great distances to get some delicious apples. They also have a little farm with animals and a stand with the greatest cider doughnuts and carmel apples. Get this. There are hundreds of acres of beautful rolling hills with apples trees and all of the fall foliage. And I got this beauty of the parking lot. Hey, at least there's a pond in there. And I forgot my camara so this is taken with my cell phone. Even better.

Columbus Day

(that was Monday, in case you didn't know)

Columbus Day is a huge holiday in these parts. School is out and there are parades, balloons, parties, festivals, and food. Okay, none of that is true, except for the school is out part. But who doesn't love a holiday, no matter what it is?

We have some friends who, for tradition, go to an apple picking farm and then to the beach on Columbus Day. Now it is October here (as it probably is wherever you live) and starting to get a little chilly but that didn't stop the kids from going crazy, playing on the beach for over 4 hours. You'd think that the one with the the body "insulation" (me) would have been the warm one. However, I stayed bundled up while the kids stripped down (to their bathing suits) and went wild.

At the farm

Beach bums

Savannah was working her way to China. She didn't quite make it. Maybe she can try again next year.