Halloween XXII

Here's the video you've all been waiting for.

And a few still photos too. These first two are night shots, the ones below are in the light. We had a real fun time with the Trick-or-Treaters. Some af the little ones were very cautious, but the older ones (especially the parents) were thrilled with the display.

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Birthday Weekend

A week ago grandma took Rich and I (and Melody and Joanne) out to dinner for our birthdays. To make a bigger day out of it we drove up to the Apple Hill area to look at the scenery, buy apples, and enjoy each other. It was really fun. Some of the sights included the beautiful flowers shown below.

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At a place called "Grandpa's Cellar" (which, by the way, in up for sale - house, offices, orchards, commercial eatery, etc. - all for under a million) we saw the scene on the left. You don't know the people. I just thought the emu was kind of funny to see there. And the way the man is holding it by the neck is kind of funny too. The people on the right you do know. We had fun at the German place. You like Mom's hairdo?

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To The Beach We Go

Last Monday the kids and grandkids went to Dillon Beach first, then on to Salmon Creek. Mom and I joined them there after we got of work. We frolicked on the beach for 30 minutes and ate a little soup for dinner. Chris and Lorna took a night and a day away on their own in Bodega bay and San Francisco. We took Michelle and the grandkids home with us.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the visits from the kids, and are grateful for their sacrifice in bringing their families all the way to California to see us. We love them all and love being with them. It been a great two weeks!

Looking west at sunset;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;Chris, Ian and Kayla romping
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Kayla at the driftwood fort;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;Ian at the driftwood fort
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Playing at the fort;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;More playing at the fort
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Pre-Birthday Bash

We got the whole family together Sunday evening for my pre-birthday meal and cake. (Grandma, Rich & Joanne, us, Chris' family and Michelle & Atticus). Eggs and sausage, pancakes , juice - and cake for dessert!

Rich & Loanne gave me what was probably the funniest birthday card I've ever seen (below). I laughed for 15 minutes!

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Kayla and Ian helped their grandma decorate my cake. I think the likeness of the face is amazing.

Conference Visitors

Chris and Lorna came Saturday with Kayla & Ian and we watched General Conference (well, parts of it) together. The kids were pretty good during the session they sat with us - with the help of some diversions. You see Kayla's "temple" and Ian's "bridge." (Don't ask my why the cars are on the floor, in between the two sections of bridge. Maybe he had watched the History Channel's "Greatest Disasters."

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Michelle and Atticus were happy to be there too. And yes, that's my foot in the picture. Mom helped keep the kids happy on Sunday.

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Just in case you were wondering, Rich and Chris and I continued the tradition Dad had of going out to eat after Priesthood meeting. We hit the local Chipotle's restaurant for some great tacos and blackberry soda. Mom and the kids went to Del Taco and then to the park for there fun time together.

Almost Forgot. . .

No trip to the fair or the pumpkin farm is complete without a video of the pigs!

Bishop's Pumpkin Farm

We made the yearly pilgrimage to Wheatland to the pumpkin farm with Michelle and Atticus. Below are some of the better pictures from the trip. By the way, in the photo on the right - that's Atticus' foot, not his hand, he's sucking on.

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Atticus is just a happy boy, and he loved the whole trip to the farm. Oh, and the girl in the photo on the right is no relation, it was just the best "scare crow" exhibit we saw there.

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For those who commented about our fire pit and the great dogs we cooked, we'll take on all comers, any time of year. The only benefit of the major tree trimming project from last summer (see former posts for details) is that we now have plenty of firewood for outdoor cooking. Yumm.