Getting ready for Halloween

Yesterday was the annual Halloween Fun Run here in St. Peter, an event that we can enjoy from our own front yard. The race winds its way up our street, so we have, quite literally, front row seats for the run. And the fun. Hundreds of runners wear costumes. Here are some favorites.

Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee...

 

This very strange Three-Legged Thing...

The Queen of Hearts and her entourage...

  

...and the cute little Headless Boy.

Teresa, you were a great Knee Replacement!

I'm always intrigued when a runner chooses an awkward costume like this one!

We were most interested in seeing this crew, including a ladybug, a blonde tall guy, and two superheroes (in disguise to protect their identities). I love this shot because it gives an idea of the steady stream of runners, close to 1400 of them, that ran up the street in front of our house yesterday morning.

Everyone went in different directions after the fun run. Larry/Dad/Paco and Charlie took off for St. John's to attend the Gustie football game with Uncle Don and Cousin Mike. E and O ate lunch, played, and rested here, while Angie helped with the women's basketball scrimmage at Gustavus. Later in the afternoon, E and O invited me to go with them to carve pumpkins in the Arb. This was a fun event sponsored by Linneaus Arboretum and staffed by friendly and helpful Gusties (many wearing paper princess crowns!) who provided carving tools, extra hands, and buckets to put pumpkin guts in!

Here is master pumpkin carver Angie, taking a stab at Owen's pumpkin. Owen requested round eyes, a round nose, and a mouth with five teeth.

Ethan gave me instructions for a pumpkin face with triangle eyes, a square nose, and a rectangle mouth with two teeth on the bottom. My apologies to Ethan...I broke off one of his pumpkin's teeth, causing it to need some dental work. 

 

After the pumpkins were complete, we found a bench

to sit on while enjoying popcorn and apple cider.

 

Some of the kids who were at this event came in costume. Most wore kid-friendly costumes, like a monkey and a hot dog, and even this seemingly innocent Little Red Riding Hood. But Little Red's companion, who is behind the tree in this shot, made Ethan a bit wary.

 And here's why:

  

A photo session distracted the boys.

After photos and treats, E and O played a rousing game of Saints/Gustie/Gopher football in the chilly evening air. The sun went down, it got too cold for the football fans, so we went home after a great day of fun!

Pumpkin decorating continued with other branches of the family today. Thanks to Elisabeth for sending these pictures of pumpkin artists Hannah and Vivian.

Pumpkin artists at work!

 

Ready for Halloween.

Miles and Westy also did some Halloween prep this afternoon. Annie sent these pictures of Tanner and his assistant hard at work. Why is there no photo of Westy, you ask? Well, the only one his mommy sent me shows a very sad Weston Charles, and I know he'd prefer to have a happier picture. Not fair for him to be singled out as a crank when everyone else is in the Halloween spirit, so to speak!

                          Yup, everyone is ready for a spooky Halloween night!
                                     Happy Halloween, coming right up! 

Photo finish

Congratulations to Mankato Marathon runners #404 and #405 

and to their biggest little cheerleaders!

Weston is 2 today!

Happy Birthday to the youngest cousin!

 We're sending smooches, hugs, 

and love your way, Westy!

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The weekend in review

We had some time with Westy and Miles on Saturday while Annie and Tanner went to Christ Chapel for a gathering of couples who'd been married there over the 50 years of its existence. Miles was hoping they'd bring him some wedding cake from the reception after the celebration, but sadly he didn't get his wish. He was in good spirits anyway, as was Westy.

The boys ate lunch in the sun room. I can't remember what it was they were saying when I took this picture, but I know it wasn't "Cheese!" 

Westy was quite the grandpa's boy today. I think Grandpappy and Grandpa Dave are his favorites right now. He sure didn't want Gpappy/Larry/Dad to go to the Gustie game! It was a sad parting.

Nap time was in the living room on the couch. Poor little Westy was mad, mad, mad that he had to take a nap while his parents and brother and Grandpappy went to the football game. But, we ended up having a good time playing with 'Nina and Rosie, and eventually napping! Westy is so funny. Every time I'd ask him about his birthday and how old he'd be, he'd answer, "Yellow!"  After a while, he admitted that he's really going to be 2, but it was questionable for some time!

On Sunday we traveled to Otown to celebrate Westy's Birthday Eve. A good time was had by all --- the Otown Grimmius family; Grandpa Dave & Grandma Doreen; Uncle Will (Auntie Anne had to work, unfortunately); Angie, Owen, & Ethan (Uncle Charlie had to work, too--also unfortunately); and Gpa Larry & yours truly.  Annie will share photos of the festivities, but here are a few to enjoy on this blog.

Before lunch, the boys made a doggie kennel in the family room, under the guidance of Grandpa Dave. Three of the puppies are resting while the fourth one is fixing treats for them.

Four adorable faces

 

 

 Westy had many interested onlookers when he blew out his #2 birthday candle.

The same interested onlookers were anxious to see what was inside all of Westy's gift-wrapped presents!

 

Owen found a party favor to play with...

Westy dug in to see what was in all the bags and boxes. He obviously was hoping for a new shirt. Hey, what's the deal with his tummy??!

As you can see, Westy got his wish for a new shirt, thanks to Ethan and Owen. And, this particular style comes with a tummy control panel!

Thanks for a fun day, everyone. Here's one last picture, in the name of cuteness... 

Next time we want Vivi and Hannah to be there, too!

Have a great birthday, Westy!!

October weekend

Ethan and Owen were our guests while their mommy and daddy ran in the TC 10 Miler on Sunday. The boys were with us starting late Saturday afternoon so C and A could stay in Northfield, making a shorter trip for the 7:00 a.m. race start time on Sunday. You might think we let E and O play like the kids they are, but guess again!

The work started with the boys making their own supper. This picture was actually taken on Friday evening before Angie and Grandpappy/Dad/Larry took them to the Saints game (see previous entry). E and O made cheesy hot dogs rolled up in crescent rolls. Look at the confidence and style they've developed as chefs! 

On Saturday morning, we tricked E and O into thinking they were going to get to jump in a leaf pile in our backyard. Little did they know that they had to do the raking first. Ethan is using what he refers to as the "boy-size rake", while Owen wrangles a longer one.

It wasn't enough for Owen to rake the leaves that were already on the ground. He used the longer rake to snatch freshly falling leaves right out of the air!

Okay, it wasn't all work and no play... the little guys had fun running through the leaves, rolling around in them, posing for pictures,

 

...and even taking a rest break in the leaves they'd scattered across the yard.

When they came inside, Owen and Ethan decided to reenact the recent visit of the King and Queen of Sweden to St. Peter. In this scene, it looks like King Carl Gustav and Queen Sofia are about to leave the royal palace in Sweden for their journey to Minnesota. Every now and then, Ethan shouted out, "We are the kings of the castle!"  Oops, I forgot to ask Ethan if his imaginary Swedish grandmother has ever met the Swedish royalty.

Before lunch it was time for a Backyardigan's screening. The favorite spot of all the cousins for watching 'toonies is on our bed, often covered up with a blanket for coziness, as Ethan pointed out yesterday. The episode we watched had a western theme, and included a "small but shy" worm friend of the Backyardigans named Sherman Worman. The boys thought that was the funniest name ever!

Charlie and Angie had a great run, despite shivery temperatures, and we enjoyed being entertained by Ethan and Owen. Other weekend highlights included Skype sessions and phone calls with the Otown and NC branches of the family. Hope everyone is off to a good start to the new week!
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Fall 

Poets have written the glories of fall color in words

as lovely as the leaves themselves. Right now, today,

yellows burst from woods and ditches, endless fields of

ecru corn stalks, dry and frail, rustle in soft autumn breezes.

I am in awe of the scarlet sumac, emboldened

by the golden sun and blue sky.

My mind panics

at the thought

of this majestic season coming to a rapid close

when cold rains beat down and swallow

the adornments of the oaks and maples and locusts.

The world will fade

to brown and gray soon enough,

but for now, I am wrapped securely

in the comforts of October.

Friday night football

Look who's on their way to watch Saint Peter beat Blue Earth tonight!*

One, two, three...

Go............ SAINTS!

*Unfortunately, the Saints lost to the Bucs, but a good time was had by all anyway. :o)