Halloween "Spooktackular" at Davis-Shai

On Monday October 22, we went to a Victorian-Style house in town, the Davis-Shai house, to celebrate their 3rd annual "Spooktackular" Costume Parade. The event, which seems to grow more popular each year, gives the kids a chance to see decorations throughout the house while collecting treats from volunteers. In turn, the volunteers enjoy seeing the kids in their costumes! After touring the house, we were treated to a hayride, which on some trips out included a visit from the Headless Horseman riding a real horse! By the time our group went out, the horse was all tired out. However, the weather was so beautiful for our ride (once again warm and clear), that we didn't mind the absence of the horseman (who we'd secretly seen earlier from our car as we arrived for the event)! Emma also enjoyed seeing the inside of a real fire truck and emergency squad and visiting with a real firefighter!

Our Lucky 13th Visit to Kings Island!

On Sunday October 21, we returned once again to Kings Island. The weather was once again beautiful-sunny and 65 degrees! Of course, the weather drew out the crowds, but we enjoyed basking in the sun while waiting for the rides. Emma also was able to wear her fairy princess costume (this year's official costume) in the costume parade (and didn't seem to care that she still didn't win)! She also went a little crazy in the bubble area, going in over her head and coming out soaked...fortunately she had a change of clothes! We were quite lucky to enjoy so much on our Lucky 13th visit!

Trunk or Treat 2012!

On Saturday, October 20, our church hosted "Trunk or Treat" night. The evening started with a pizza buffet dinner, followed by activities and games. We decorated cookies and suckers and made care packages for church members who are away at college. Then we heard stories and a pumpkin message from Pastor Kris. The kids enjoyed games like bouncing spider ball and musical chairs. Of course, the highlight of the evening was "Trunk or Treat" itself, where the kids paraded through the parking lot in their costumes and received treats from church members, some of whom decorated their trunks and even donned costumes themselves!

The Circleville Pumpkin Show!

On Thursday evening, October 18, Emma and I headed down to Circleville for the Pumpkin Show light parade. We met Grandma Coe at her apartment, and after some debate, took her with us to the busiest streets of town. We took the last available place in a parking lot 4 blocks from the parade. Grandma navigated the (paved!)alley with just her walker to a prime spot for viewing the parade just before it began. With spotty cell phone service and a huge crowd, we figured we'd never find Mom, Dad, Jason and Aunt Linda, who'd come earlier in the day. We settled in to watch the Ohio University Band march by, followed by countless elaborate floats strung with lights. Even so, Emma kept asking where everybody was. After an hour of watching, we felt hands on our shoulders and turned around to see...the rest of the family! We were quite relieved! After the parade, Emma looked around with Mom, Dad and Jason while Aunt Linda, Grandma and I headed for the car. After a tour around town (with several roads blocked), we found them again and took a quick peek at the pumpkins we'd missed earlier. Fortunately, by that time, the crowds had cleared out for the evening. Emma and I went on to stay the night at Aunt Linda's house-Emma's first overnight there-since neither of us had school Friday. We enjoyed a leisurely morning and waffle breakfast with "GAL" (Great Aunt Linda) before we headed home Friday afternoon. A whirlwind trip, but lots of fun!

A Divine Time at Devine Farm

On Sunday October 14th, we headed to Devine Farm for our annual visit. Emma enjoyed all of her usual favorites...the fun house, pumpkin painting, a barrel train ride, the corn maze, slide, and straw tunnels. Unfortunately, what had started out as a breezy, sunny afternoon turned into a rainy one (we'd taken our chances that the "isolated showers" part of the forecast wasn't going to pan out). However, we did still manage to pick some pretty gourds before they closed up for the day, and, as you can tell from these photos, we packed a lot into a little amount of time!!!

Dawes Days

Last Saturday, October 6, was a beautiful fall day, so I suggested a trip to Dawes Arboretum. Emma and Todd had just been there the day before, but they didn't mind going back! We were rewarded with beautiful fall colors and even a glimpse at a fall bride who was getting married that day in the Japanese garden. So...some of these pictures are from Friday's visit and others are from Saturday's!