Time to decorate the tree and the kids could not have been more excited. They were very focused and didn't want any help when it came to hanging ornaments. They did a great job.
Annemarie doing her part.
Will trying to hang ornaments on the top part of the tree.
All the elves.
Our darling tree.
We went looking for our Christmas tree this weekend. We didn't have to go far. We found the perfect one in a lot just a few miles from home. The kids of course had lots of fun and were very helpful. 
Will asking if we could take home a tree that was still in the ground and growing. 
Annemarie and Jack looking for the perfect tree. 
Doug and the kids. 
Let's take it home!
We celebrated Thanksgiving in Oregon this year. We had dinner over at Sara and Jason's house (they prepared everything and it was so good!!). It was a quick trip but we really enjoyed seeing all our family.
Mick, Will and Doug enjoying Thanksgiving football.
Family picture
Annemarie and Grandma
Will and Jack playing a game
Annemarie making a grand entrance.
The boys with cousin Caleb.
Grandpa and Tyler
Annemarie with the teeny glass Uncle Steve gave her.
Annemarie reading to Jen and Uncle Steve.
We had a light dusting of snow on Saturday, so that technically would be our first snow. However, this morning when we got up it was snowing and hasn't stopped yet. I had to scramble and find boots, snow pants and mittens for everyone...thankfully it didn't take long. Bring on the snow!
Singing the praises of snow...
So the big difference this year was that we had trick-or-treaters at our home. In past years maybe we'd get two or three (in Oregon and Montana). So this year I was ready. I started stock piling candy so I didn't have to purchase it all at once. We ended up going through 4 large Costco bags of candy and a Costco box of fruit snacks (when the candy ran out). 
Jack, Annemarie and Will showing off their costumes
A Storm Trooper, Jedi and Boba Fett. Happy Star Wars Halloween!
John, wearing Annemarie's bumble bee antennas
Trick or Treat!
Candy Monster
"My tummy hurts"
Tyler Larkin - the cutest monkey ever!
Pumpkin carving was so much this year. We invited the Akeys to join us. I think the kids are getting good at this. From start to finish only took about 45 minutes! (Also, I think my camera is about to die, some of the pictures are a bit blurry. Sorry.) 
Lots of seeds and goo
Annemarie with her pumpkin
Jack with his finished pumpkin 
Will, happy with the end result
Anna, Will, Annemarie, Wyatt and Jack
Annemaire's preschool had a field trip to Sweet Pickin's Pumpkin Patch earlier this month. It was a beautiful sunny day. As always there were lots of fun things to do.
Playing in the sand pit
Picture perfect
Bouncing on the pumpkin pillow
Ready for the train ride
Pretty little sunflower
I was so happy to catch this moment the other afternoon. Not only was Will reading, but he was reading to Annemarie. So nice and thoughtful!
So, we live on the town parade route. It's so much fun. Friday was the high school homecoming parade and all we had to do was stand outside our house. The kids really clean up when it came to candy. Everyone was throwing or handing out candy...it was like Halloween, only early. We're looking forward to Winter Carnival in February when there's a much bigger parade. We'll have to hold an open house and have our friends over.
All the high school varsity teams had floats. We saw the kids' babysitter on the soccer float.
A sucker was the first piece of candy Annemarie caught. Instead of watching the parade from the sidewalk with the rest of us she sat on the front steps and enjoyed her treat.
