This is the reason that I did not get any Halloween decorations out this year. This is the result of absolutely no cleaning all summer long. EVERYTHING was out. All the Barbies and clothes, ALL the Polly Pockets, cars, houses, etc. I couldn't even see the floor. I was afraid to go downstairs. I was determined to finally tackle this before the holidays so I could actually get our Thanksgiving and Christmas decor out.
Another fun halloween in Kansas. Our family went to the annual Enchanted Forest in Sar Ko Par Park. The kids dress up in costume and there are different performaces along the jogging trail. They have singers, story tellers, a magician, puppets, owls, and inflatables to play in. They used to give away hot chocolate for free but now you have to purchase it. But with that they also have popcorn, hot dogs, drinks and other treats. Our 2nd annual block party was last night. Everyone pitched in for an "Octoberfest" theme with hot dogs, chili, salsa, drinks, desserts and of course s'mores. Mike took all the kids around the neighborhood again to trick or treat. The weather was warm (but not as warm as our 70 degrees we had last year). Our family made it until around 10p, but Mike was up at 4a and said there were still several people out there by the fire pit just chatting away. Obviously none of them had church this morning. Savannah was a southern belle, Haylie was a seniorita, and little Lacie was a candy corn. What an awesome evening!
In the past 6 years we have lived in Kansas I have wanted to go to Wichita. Wichita is the largest city in Kansas with a population of 580,000 people. Mike signed up for a continuing education seminar through work so we were reimbursed for our hotel and gas. Pretty sweet. We left on Friday morning after taking Lacie to the kennel. She was so excited when she thought she was going with us. Mike always says how much he misses the mountains of Utah but I happen to think the Flint Hills are just as pretty; especially in the summer when it is all so green. THIS is Gods Country untouched by urbanization. The Museum of World Treasures was real interesting. The had an actual piece of the Berlin Wall on display. You are actually looking at the side that faced West Berlin.
The Garmeister (our weatherman Gary Lesak) says its supposed to be 71 degrees today. Yeah! I guess this means mowing the lawn one last time and getting the sprinkler system turned off. Welcome to fall everyone.
A fun time today at the KC Pumpkin Patch in Gardner. We didn't do the corn maze but they had the jumping pillow, petting zoo, tricycle track, haunted barn, hay loft and horse swings, pumpkin cannon, mine shaft hill slide, rope maze, hay bale maze, jack & jill hill slide, pumpkin express train, pirate cove, corn crib play place, humpty dumpty rock climb, chicken coop slide, barnyard brain busters, duck races, yellow brick road train ride, and the zip line!
Celebrated Diwali with our Hindu neighbors last night. Our entire cul-de-sac (14 homes) attended. Food was awesome and the music and dancing was great. Diwali is the biggest of all Hindu festivals. It is a celebration of life, its enjoyment and goodness. The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity.
