Keep going!

Okay, so it's not as cheap as say...TEXAS...but being that we aren't as close to the vapors of the refineries, I'd say we're not doing too shabby. Remember when gas was "cents?"

Merry Thanksgiving!

Remember what I said about the people here doing up holidays big time? We started seeing the mall done up, lights on houses and people's trees up over TWO WEEKS ago! We went to a tree lighting this past week, too. Even the wrappers on our food at restaurants were adorned with holiday images. It's not even Thanksgiving! So, we decided to join in the festivities and put up our Christmas decorations, too. And with the snow we've been getting - it actually FEELS like Christmas! Love it! I think we'll continue this early Christmas tradition when we leave - we love Christmas, so why not draw it out?! How about your town? When did you start seeing the holiday decor? So, here's to a very early Merry Christmas! Oh, and Happy Belated Thanksgiving.

Here are some "drive-by" photos I took around town...

HERE WE GO!

Outside our window this morning...

It's a little hard to see...but you get the idea. This is dedicated to my friend Janee, who recently hightailed it outta here and left us to fend for ourselves in the cold. This one's for you girl - because I know you'll miss the snow when you are basking in the Arizona sun. Sunny and warm is SO overrated.

Bring it on Old Man Winter, bring it on!

ICE CREAM and RABIES

Here are a few photos from our first visit to the dairy farm which included the usual: playing on the tractors, running through the corn maze and riding on the barrel train. But on this particular day, little b decided to get more up close and personal with the residents...

And just as I was taking a photo of him in front of the goat, I was suddenly caught off guard by this lovely scene.

As you can tell by the blurriness of the photo - I was running in horror, to stop him. Meanwhile, his dad was just sitting there as if nothing was happening. I kept asking over and over again, "Did they touch?" "Did his mouth touch?" And although Bri kept assuring me that they in fact, did not lock lips - It's kind of hard to believe him after analyzing the second photo. What do you think? Ewww!!! I guess ice cream wasn't the only thing little b took home that day.

Two words: MORE COWBELL!

We love Fall!

THE NEED TO EXERCISE OUR RIGHT TO VOTE...

AND OUR BODIES!

All three of us went to the polls today to cast our votes! Then, we headed to Chick-fil-A for some FREE chicken sandwiches and then to Starbucks for some FREE hot chocolate - YUM!

The funny thing was that the lines at Chick-fil-A were longer than at the polling station. Whether the driving force was free food or one's duty to country - we may never know.
U.S.A.!

TRICK OR TREAT - Ohio Style!

To finish off the pumpkin-picking, hay riding, cider-gulping, month of October - we participated in trick-or-treating twice this year. On top of the usual trunk-or-treat our church has, Ohio celebrates Beggars' Night, which is basically the original term for what is now trick-or-treat.

And whoa Nelly! Like I've said before, this place is rooted in traditions and holidays - big time. I think I started seeing Halloween decorations way before October came and then the other day, believe it or not, I saw Christmas lights on a few houses (and I'm not talking about the ones that leave the lights up all year)!

Anyhow, I have to say that this year's Halloween was straight out of a storybook. Brian's description was a little different in that he said it reminded him of the movie Halloween. To which he then started singing the spooky theme song. Hmm...authentic either way you look at it, I guess.

I didn't have time to sew little B a costume this year, so we made due with what we had on hand. But I don't think he would have cared either way. And unlike last year, by the third house or so, he got the hang of it.

He had so much fun going from house to house. And FYI - I highly recommend a wagon for hardcore trick-or-treating! We went until it was really dark and REALLY cold outside. We let him go past his usual bedtime, so he was extremely pooped at the end of the night. But the best part of all? He has no clue what candy is! I don't think we'll be so lucky next year...


Little B the aviator/the Red Baron complete with mustache...



A few of the little trick-or-treaters...



From our night out...




Making some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with my little skeleton...