The Great Pumpkin & Other October Tales

October flew by. We had our big Disneyland trip with Jeff's parents which was an exhaustively good time (I know I owe everyone pictures, but I still need to transfer them to my computer) then it was a blur of Halloween festivities and clinging onto the little time we had left as a family before Jeff's deployment. 

 

We went to a little Halloween and chocolate party at a friend's house where the kids dressed up and Jeff was handed a "Mad Scientist" lab coat so that he could be festive, and I went as a pregnant military wife. I think my costume was the most realistic and convincing. It was bedtime by the time we took the photo (above) so Kailie was not cooperating.

Jeff got to be quite the pumpkin carver and definitely has options in the future if we decide we cannot take another deployment after this one! I am not sure what kind of money is in the pumpkin carving business, but we are sure happy with the way they both turned out.

It was nice to have sidewalks and a neighborhood for the kiddos to go trick or treating in and although it got a little cold and rainy, they were able to walk a good portion of our street. Jaron definitely got the hang of things and although he didn't say trick or treat Jeff says he always remembered to say thank you (obviously the more important part which I am sure was appreciated). 

Kailie was Rapunzel at our Disneyland Halloween festivities, but after going through three different costumes from her dress up bin that afternoon ended up as a black cat: again. This is the third year in a row. What can I say she has a mind of her own. The kids called it a night pretty early,  but there is no need to be greedy and I don't need too much candy around to tempt me!

Now we are gearing up for our big Japan trip in less than two weeks and I will see if I can survive an international trip with two kids (and a pregnant belly) while keeping my sanity. Luckily, it is a direct flight from Seattle which will make the trip much shorter than what we are used to typically living in the Midwest or east coast. It will be lovely to see my parents and to be able to spend some time in Japan before my parents move to the U.S. in March. It may be some time before we get to visit again.