Halloween Contests

We had Halloween competitions at work everyday this week. I participated on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday was pumpkin carving day. They were giving out prizes for the best carved pumpkin and the best decorated pumpkin. Mine was a little of both.

Brad and I going to work on our pumpkins.

I took an eyeball balloon and pulled it through a hole I had carved and then pinned it on the inside of the pumpkin.

So far it's just a cyclopse pumpkin.

Pumpkin carving brings out the kid in all of us.

Brad wins the prize for the pumpkin that most resembles Iron Man.

I accessorized and turned mine into a pirate. But I felt a few changes were needed.

I didn't like the flag coming out of the back like that so I was brave and cut a hole in the scarf so that the flag could be seen from the front.

And with the help of some household opinions added another deflated eyeball out of the patch and an earing. That seemed to complete my pirate pumpkin.

Out of seven entries my pirate was not a winner but I had a lot of fun with it anyway and it was later proudly displayed in Pizza Hut for the rest of the week through Halloween.

Thursday was spooky treat day. I made spider cupcakes. All of the entries were displayed throughout the day while they were silently auctioned.

I made one dozen of these scary spider cupcakes and again had a lot of fun. Again, I did not win but my cupcakes auctioned off for $12.

Friday was costume day. Every year I'm asked if I'm going to be a clown for Halloween and every year I think....NO WAY!!! It's the one day during the year that I can be anything else. But they were giving out prizes based on good costumes and one thing about being a professional clown is that my costume has gotten pretty good over the years. So, why not give it a shot? Finally, I won a prize for the funniest costume!! Great way to end the week.

The Goal

So Brad and I are going to be working together toward a couple of trips in the next year. We both have been working on getting more exercise. I walk part way to work and catch the bus the rest of the way. Brad also goes walking regularly and manages to get up to the rec center for swimming quite often. So, goal number one is to visit my hometown of Helena in June for the Governor's Cup 5k. This is a pretty big event. The distance isn't like a marathon or anything, in fact the few times I've gone, there have been families with children and often times strollers and the like. It's should be just right for a couple of beginners like Brad and myself. I'm excited for the opportunity to show Brad where I grew up. The next goal is to go to Astoria, Oregon a year from now for the Great Columbia Crossing which is a 10k race. Again, somewhere I used to live and can't wait to show Brad around as well as another good goal to work toward. I don't plan on winning any of the races....I just want to finish them.

I'm tracking my progress on another blog..... http://runglennarun.blogspot.com

The Apple Harvest

It was a nice evening for apple picking. We mozied on out to the back yard and picked apples for a little while. perhaps we will make some yummy apple crisp this weekend.

MMMMmmmmm

Zoo Meets Zoo

So, I went with my sisters and their kids to Utah's Hogle Zoo on Saturday. Stephanie with her three daughters and Beth with her four daughters and one son and myself. We implemented the buddy system. Beth was buddies with R2. Stephanie with baby Sawyer. Sarah with her cousin Ricky. Coral with cousin Alexis. And myself with both Alice and Janet. Let the good times roll.

Sarah jumps up and down while Ricky expresses her excitement at finally arriving at the zoo.

Alice....being Alice

This was just a quick way to take down what everyone was wearing in case anyone disappeared. Just kidding. Group photo prior to entering in a last ditch effort to torture everyone that we're here but not inside yet.

R2 patiently waits on the bicycle rack for everyone to get their acts together so that we can go in.

Just inside the entrance is a magical black ball that spins around in a little pool of water...OOOOH!
Alexis balances on the edge while everyone looks and feels.

Coral and Alexis decide to stop the ball and try to get it to spin the other direction. Nice socks girls.

Alice almost got eaten by a lion.

R2 bravely gets a drink from the lion.

Super Duper cute Sawyer. Ahh. Loving life.

Janet, Alice and R2 wanted to get a picture in front of the wild turkeys. I told them they could only get their picture taken if they made turkey noises while I was taking it. And they quickly complied.

Heavy Metal Elephant. All the kids needed a turn getting their picture taken while on the trunk

Alice got the first turn.

Now R2

And Janet

The baby elephant was one of my favorites.

Janet shows us the map of the zoo.

Alice hides in the brush in a crouching position.

I had never seen a real rhino before. The picture does not do them justice.

And the Penguins

The zebras

The giraffes were also among my favorites.

This is the new baby giraffe.

My absolute favorite picture of the whole day! The baby giraffe nibbles on the grass.

Close up of the baby giraffe.

One of the grown up giraffes with its tongue rolled up in its mouth.

Janet and R2 pose on some of the big cats.

Our last stop was the zoo playground. Here Alice pokes her head out of a log.

Ricky takes Sawyer down the elephant slide with R2 following behind.

Wheeeeeeee!!!

In Loving Memory...

About two weeks before Brad and I were to be married, I received a phone call at work. I was told that Grandma wasn't doing well and if I wanted to say good-bye I should probably come to Idaho. So Beth, Coral and I hopped into Coral's car (Dodge Charger) and drove to Idaho. We went directly to Jerome where Grandma was in the hospital. We were very surprised when we walked into her room to see her sitting up on the edge of the bed facing the window. There had been several occaisions when we would get the call that Grandpa wasn't doing well and he just kept hanging in there. He was on Hospice for an entire year before he passed away. I thought we would have a little more time with Grandma.The nurse came in and helped her lie back down. We each took turns giving her a hug. I leaned over to her and said, "I love you, Grandma," to which she replied....."PROVE IT!" So we knew that her mind was still in tact and she was still Grandma. It was her body that had quit working. Her kidneys had shut down and she was filling up with fluid. There was nothing the doctors could do for her except to help her be comfortable. We sat in silence before we decided that she needed music. We didn't have any so we decided to sing her some hymns (sorry Grandma). She was probably grateful when other family began to arrive and the singing stopped. Mom and Dad came and Dad's brother Joel and his family. I think there was a sense of urgency for Stephanie to get there as I know that it would mean a lot to her if Grandma could meet her newest Great Granddaughter before leaving this earth. Stephanie arrived with Alexis and baby Sawyer. Grandma passed away the next evening.

Grandma and Grandpa Chambers celebrated 50 years of marriage on September 7, 1990.

Several months ago I had the opportunity to visit Grandma at DeSano Place in Shoshone and make balloons for her and the other residents. Grandma is sporting a stylish monkey hat.

Baby Sawyer Jane and her Great Grandmother met for the first time. Grandma seemed to be so alert at that moment and even Sawyer seemed happy to meet her Great Grandma.

Okay....so this pic is actually at Grandpa's Funeral about 27 months earlier. Grandpa had served in the U.S. Army and was in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

My cousin Ben was home from Iraq for a time when Grandpa passed away and had the great priveledge of presenting Grandpa's flag to Grandma. It was an emotional moment to watch as Ben stepped back after handing Grandma the flag with a tear in his eye and a great sense of pride on his face and saluted her.

Also at Grandpa's funeral were his younger siblings.

(left to right..Guy, Joanne, and Nellie) Aunt Nellie passed away just a week after Grandma but I was unable to attend the funeral as it was held the same weekend as my wedding.

Back to Grandma. Grandma was awesome with arts and crafts. Her hands were always busy with crocheting, quilting, and other needle work. Here Alice and Janet show off some of the things that Grandma used to make for us.

My brothers David and Lee, mingling before the services begin.

Dad, trying to be cheerful and composed while visitors greet him with condolences.

Becky and Lee sit and ponder during the viewing.

Eathan, Tiger, and Jared sit and visit during the viewing.

Family and friends gathering at the cemetery.

My cousins, nephews and brothers were the pallbearers for the service.

One by one the pallbearers laid their boutonnieres on the casket.

Mom and David visit at the Shoshone Cemetery.

Grandma and Grandpa, I love you and I miss you both.