The Can-can

Watch the kids do the can-can here. They really put their heart and soul into it. :)

Chili cook-off

We had the annual ward Trunk or Treat last night, including the chili cook-off. We had heard about the success in the Ft. Wayne ward with just buying Wendy's chili and putting it in a crock pot for judging. It didn't work out for us though-- we tried that and despite an exciting name like "Old-Fashioned two-step chili" we still didn't place in the top three. We'll try again next year. (Note: The "two steps" in two-step chili are #1 buy and #2 reheat in a crock pot.)















The picture is of Teresa eating our non award-winning but very delicious chili. She is holding Dan the skeleton who really enjoyed whacking people with that giant plastic bone that you see sitting on the table. Allie and Tyler were both bats, Hal was a spider web, and Courtney was a fly.

We get cheap candy through our Nestle channels, which always comes in handy this time of year. We can get cheap candy, dog food, contact lens solution, Power Bars, makeup, frozen food, hot chocolate, and Nesquik at the employee store.

Harry spent the morning at Andrew Rickoff school yesterday morning teaching 1st graders a half-day program through Junior Achievement. It's an inner-city Cleveland school with a lot of needs, but the program went pretty smoothly.

Batgirl

Sad to read this morning that the Indians lost. Seeing Allie in her new Halloween costume cheered us up.

Recipe for "Batgirl" -
1 black hoodie
black duct tape
black felt
1 black umbrella
wire cutters

Into the woods

We are loving the Fall weather. The picture is of Dan and Allie playing in the woods behind our house. The trees are changing color, and we took a long walk in the Cleveland Metroparks South Chagrin trails today. You can see some red and yellow leaves among the kids' feet in the photo.

Hal and Tyler both had football games this weekend, and Courtney spent the afternoon babysitting to try to make some money. She's short on cash after spending her life savings on a Wii.

















Teresa spent the day Saturday doing a service project with the Young Women making audio books on tape for kids to listen to in the Rainbow Babies and Children's hospital.

Harry went early Saturday morning with Courtney and Allison to the Original Pancake House. The coconut waffles were excellent, and to be recommended. The bacon was also great.
















We assume that there are not many more days left this year that we will feel like laying in the hammock, so we are making the most of the beautiful weather.

We're checking online to see how the Indians are doing tonight, but the score is 3-1 Red Sox right now in the fourth inning. Not too sure they are going to pull it out or not.

Trapeze School

Harry spent a few days in New York city this week for a meeting, and went with his work group to the New York trapeze school for some excitement during the day. The school is in Manhattan, on top of a building, and overlooks the New York skyline.














The kids were off school on Friday, and we watched eagerly to see last night how the Indians would do, but were sad to see them lose to the Red Sox last night-- oh well, hopefully they can do better in game 2.

A couple of football games for the boys today. Hal had a game earlier in the week, and made a long reception, which was great.

We had Family Home Evening Monday, and thought of Pat as we enjoyed a game of Bohnanza with the kids. It's one of the few things we can do that is enjoyed equally with the kids at their various ages, other than hide and go seek.

Hal court of honor

Here's Hal with some merit badges he earned at camp.

Tyler football

Here are some pictures of Tyler playing football. He plays center for the "Jets" in the city flag football league. Last night was his 4th game, and he won his team MVP award. Hal is into football season, also, and is a running back this year.