Our Halloween Tradition

For a whole year the kids talk about this Mystery Halloween Dinner. Saying that they love it is an understatement. They might like it more than Christmas. Well, maybe not but it is very close. They count down the days. They love the surprise. They love the names for all the food.

On the menu this year:
Mummy Heads (Chicken Pot Pie inspired from this )
Crunchy Skeleton (veggie platter - Egan's creation)
Pumpkin Brains (apricot jello with green grapes mixed in - Egan)
Candy Corn (tortilla pizza created by Jane)
Bug Juice (green gatorade, 7Up, gummy worms and dry ice)
Forked Eyeballs (pumpkin spice cake balls)

This year - an added surprise were the Surprise Balls. Another family tradition but typically at Christmas but kids love them anytime.

My sister posted this dinner as well as other amazing parties on her blog - Attend. Check it out. I love her blog and all her ideas.

And big thanks to Egan and Jane who really made this dinner a success but did not get pictured. :(

Cross Country - A New Adventure

Teague joined the Jr. High Cross Country team this year. He loves it. He runs miles after school every day with his team and then does crazy circuit and ab workouts. He has worked so hard and made some great improvements.

Out of all the boys in grades 6-9, he made the Varsity team (7 best runners).

Yesterday they competed at the State Championship run in Herriman. And it was a hard, hilly course. His team took 1st. He was a little disappointed with his run but he really did great and he has 3 years to make some great improvements.

He loves this so much that he even used his own money to pay for spikes.

A Sisters Trip to Seattle

I don't know if I am blogging yet. Kind of having an blogging identity crisis. Or maybe it is more than blogging. I don't know. But I did just get back from an amazing trip to Seattle with my sisters and my parents. Dreamy weather, packed schedule, beautiful sites, good company and really incredible food. Sounds like I am exaggerating. But it is all true.

- a mini favorites party (we all brought 6 of one of our favorite things)
- paddle boarding on the Sound
- a walk around Lake Union and Green Lake
- tennis
- lots of shopping
- home cooking
- yum pizza from a Wood Fire Tuscan food truck
- Pike Place Market
- Kubota Gardens
- UW Volleyball game
- a visit to a few of our old stomping grounds
- a birthday party to beat all birthday parties

Thanks to Kenyon for letting me go and doing double the work for a bit. I bought the family white bread as a treat for while I was gone. They didn't even miss me they were so happy.

And thanks to Jane for being the photographer. Otherwise this post would not exist.

And thanks to the greatest parents. They are awesome hosts, tour guides, cook, and company.

The Twitter Bird

The standard Sunday dinner conversation: "What did you learn at church today?"

Gavin was telling us something about a story his teacher told. He said, "You know those birds that fly and give you messages?"

We really didn't know where he was going with this yet so we weren't guessing right.

Finally Teague says, "I know what he is talking about. That twitter bird. It brings messages right?"

Total sign of the times. Because the answer, we later found out, was "carrier pigeons." My kids didn't know what that was but they apparently know about the Twitter bird.

Too bad the kids don't follow me on Twitter. Maybe they would finally hear me.

Don't Be A Hater

I know that some of my family and some of you will roll your eyes at this. Too bad.

(image from Oprah.com)

I am an Oprah fan. I actually haven't watched much in the last couple of years - just an episode here and there. But I have watched my share over her 25 year season. And I think she has done so much good. Sure I disagree with her and she can be so obnoxious at times but I have learned a lot and loved lots about her show. When I have had time, she has been a good 4 o'clock friend. I have learned lots of interesting things, loved her favorite things, used a gratitude journal, been motivated to serve, used a netty pot, been totally inspired by stories of survival, tried to spend wisely (or at least thought about it), wished that Nate Berkus could save my house, cried and laughed. So I am kind of sad to see it come to an end.

I watched her surprise tribute farewell show. It was pretty cool. Yes she is a little cheesy but when you hear the list of accomplishments - dang it is awesome. They spotlighted the scholarship fund she set up for Morehouse College and all of the good that has done - 415 scholarships.

And THEN...Kristin Chenoweth (aka Glenda from Wicked) came out and sang one of my all time favorite songs - For Good. You have to watch it. Oh my gosh. She is awesome. The song is awesome. Try not to cry.

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

I have been changed for good...

I am so grateful for the good people in life that have changed me for good. Even a little bit of Oprah.

Get Your Vintage Poster TODAY!

I have talked about this little company and my super talented niece-in-law before (see here). Well she is doing something awesome and super generous. Check it out. And order yours TODAY (duh - you should order her stuff anyway but today you ONLY pay shipping)! You will love it.

U2!

What a show! I kept thinking all day that I should sell my tickets. So glad that I didn't. It was really incredible. I can't even figure out how to describe the stage. It is gigantic and incredible.

The U2 band and crew have clearly figured out how to put on an unforgettable show.