Kate the Monkey

Halloween

I think last year we might just have established our pumpkin carving tradition; Kate and I clean/scoop and Ken carves.  Kate and I definitely got the better deal this year.  We bought organic pumpkins from the farmers market and they had the thickest exterior we'd ever seen.  Ken actually stabbed himself in the thumb.  He did however mangage to get both pumpkins carved.
















































Halloween is a big deal in our neighbourhood.  There are several families that go all out decorating the exteriors of their homes.  Kate and I went on a walk on Sunday afternoon to take pictures. 

The house above is across from ours.  Their house was one of the scariest.  They had someone sitting in the garage pretending to be a dummy.  When kids would come in to ask for candy he would jump up and scare them.  There were many screaming children all night - all with smiles on their faces!

The guy on the right is our neighbour Kevin.  He chased people, cars whoever up and down the street.  The guy on the left was the "dummy".


















Here is our humble abode.  Ken made the spider web with wool.  It looked really good.  Much better than the skeleton just hanging from the tree which really creeped me out.

And last but not least, Kate.  The first picture is pre-trick or treating.  The second is during and the third is a tired Kate enjoying the fruits of her labours.

Trunk or Treat

Every year one of the families in our ward has a Halloween Activity for the kids at their place.  This was our first year, and sadly if the rumors are true our last - their kids are growing up, the oldes leaves on his mission this year, so they're done.  We got there not long before dark.  Kate had fun on the trampoline.  I think the trampoline was the highlight for her.  The actual trunk or treating was a little lost on her.  I bought her a pumpkin bucket and once she had about four candies it got heavy at which point she dropped the bucket and I figured that we were done!

The highlight of the night for Ken was being awarded a prize for a well decorated trunk.  I didn't take a picture - oops... I need to try and track one down!

Audree and Kate

The Orangeville Farmer's Market

We spend many a happy Saturday morning checking out the local produce at the Orangeville Farmer's Market.  Today was the last day for the season and the organizers made it an especially fun day!

The actual food/produce for sale was a little lacking, being the end of the season and all, but between the safety owl, the pony rides and the petting farm Kate was in little kid heaven!

Pigtails

I love it when Antoinette - the angel that looks after Kate during the day - does her hair.  I especially love it when the hair do is pigtails!

Baby 2

I still think pregnancy is weird.  It just is - to me at least.  Having another person grow inside of you is miraculous yes, but mostly bizarre, again - to me at least.  It is fun to go and check out what the alien looks like - or at least confirm that the alien is a person and not an alien.  I don't suppose I totally enjoy the whole procedure of the anatomy ultrasound some of the pressing is well uncomfortable, but the pictures of the little alien that we are fondly referring to as Baby 2 makes it all worth it!  And so here he/she is... that's right we don't know the gender, but we will, sometime in March!

The Train!

My sweet friend Nicole was in Toronto - visiting from Vancouver and invited us to go for an outing on the train- the South Simcoe Railway train that operates out of Tottenham.  There is a fully narrated tour along the 45 minute round trip to Beeton, detailing the history of the railway in the area.  Ken and I rode the train years ago but hadn't taken Kate.  We were so excited to meet up with Nicole, Matthias, and Jeanne - Nicole's Mom to ride the train!  YAY!  We had a lovely visit, a lovely train ride, and beautiful weather, double YAY!

The bustling train station.

Jeanne, Matthias, Kate.

Kate, Wendy, Ken.

Jeanne, Matthias, Nicole.

Kate and Matthias playing at the park.

Bubble fun.

More bubble fun.

Taking a break from bubble fun.

Back again for more.

I have no memory of this, but it's too cute!

Canadian Thanksgiving Amercian Style

Sometime in the summer Suzanne and I decided that we would like to try and get together for Canadian thanksgiving.   We both have very dear, generous friends that live in up-state New York so it's a double bonus - seeing friends and family!


On Saturday, October 9th - Mom and Dad Bacon's 39th wedding anniversary, we decided to meet at Tim's Pumpkin Patch, located in Marieta, NY, about half way between Syracuse and Seneca Falls.  It was a beautiful day, a little chilly, but mostly beautiful.  Tim's was awesome.  There were tonnes of pumpkins, animals, treats, and play areas.  The kids had lots of fun.  I took a number of pictures of Kate and Anna, but sadly I have no proof that there were other kiddos... oops!

Anna and Kate trying to catch a glimpse of the sleeping pig.

Anna and the pumpkins.

Anna and Kate and the pumpkins.

Kate and Anna posing for a picture.

Kate and Anna playing in the corn pit - good dusty fun!

Anna and Kate and the sunflowers.


To end the day (start reading with sacarsm) we decided to take my parents out in style to celebrate their anniversary.  We went to a dumpy McDonald's on the outskirts of Syracuse - not even a free standing McDonald's, it was attached to a gas station!  Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad...

On Sunday we went to church in our respective locations and then everyone came to my friend Heidi's in Canoga, NY to have Thanksgiving Dinner.  I tried to do a better job taking pictures of the children - good, but forgot about the adults... bad!  Oh well.  We had a fun time together and Heidi was an awesome host as always.  I am so thankful for dear friends and family and for fun weekends!  (Oh and other things too!)
            

Thomas, Owen, Ginger - the dog, and Josie.

 

A jumble of children playing happily.

Anna and Ruthie.

Kate and Ginger.

Thomas and the Hulahoop.

Owen, Mason, Isaac and Joey, playing.

Maggie and Kate.

Hungry children waiting... around the table - front left clockwise - Owen, Thomas, Ruthie, Josie, Lily, Sam, Maggie, Isaac, Mason, Ethan, Joey.

More hula fun with Kate and Josie.

Kate and Anna and the dolls.

Many children enjoying Wii.

Maggie playing the piano.

Isaac and Kate.

Kate and Anna saying see you in a while.