Halloween

Happy November Everyone!

I have about a million pictures below, so I'll try and let them give you the update on our life.

 We've tried jump starting this pumpkin meal tradition a couple times, but I think this time I actually like what we put inside, enough to not have to wrack my brain next year. 

 It's a sort of chicken casserole inspired by the Quinn Tatertot Casserole, with a few changes....like no tatertots.

 Last weekend we drove a couple hours North to visit Frankenmuth, "Michigan's little Bavaria."

 Not that I've ever been to real Germany, but I got the feeling that it was a very Americanized, plasticy version of Europe, and yet so much fun in a kitschy way.  There are lots of fudge and gift shops, and german restaurants. 

Bronner's: the world's largest Christmas store, in the middle of no-where Michigan.  Who knew?  This place is actually pretty insane.  If you need an ornament for a foot surgeon, this is probably where you could find it. 

 We were to lazy to walk over to Santa, but he's pretty gigantic.

 Time's a ticken'.  Only two months left to spend all your money at Bronner's before the big day. 

 You have to read the sign, to think that this is even remotely funny.

Halloween was lots of fun!  Here we've got the ward party.  I don't know if I've ever seen so many awesome homemade costumes.

 Ira's friend, Mr. T. 

 Ira's other friend, especially when in costume.  As of this party, Ira now calls anything that resembles a robot a "zshww zshwww."  You know, the wheat grinder, the blender, basically anything with buttons.

 The Shepherds.

 The DeYoungs.

 Ira stared at these car costumes for about 15 minutes strait.

 Ira won a prize for his costume.  Yep, that was about the peak of his enthusiasm level for the night.  We kept thinking he'd get exhausted during the trunk or treating since it was past his bed time.  But every time we asked if he wanted to stop, he'd respond with "More?"  He was determined to get to every car.

 Here's the night before, when he was actually smiling.  If I didn't put the hat away, he'd probably still be wearing it around the house.  He likes the "ball" on top.  He especially liked to wear it outside to play in the "fish"....which is what he's been calling the leaves for some reason.

The actual event of trick or treating.

 We've watched a friend's baby a couple of times, which has been good practice for Ira.  He really loves babies and carries his doll around when he's not fixated on one of his toys with wheels.

     In other news, the pregnancy is still going well.  My lower back hurt several times this week, and I was a little worried it was a kidney infection or something.  But I think since it's so inconsistent, it's more likely that I'm picking up Ira wrong.
     Our friends whose cute kid we watch every once in a while, gave us free tickets to a great Halloween Symphony performance at the University of Michigan.  All the performers were costumed, and the conducting grad students put on fun skits in between, which was enough to keep Ira interested.
     Anthony and I were called as ward missionaries, which is fun.  We have two sets of missionaries here and baptisms regularly, so there's lots of work to do.
     Thinking of each of you.  Love you lots!
Sharon