Exciting Halloween Weekend!

It was sad to see Bethany and CJ go back to California this past Monday evening, but we had a really fun visit with them.  As you saw in last week's post, we all dressed up for Halloween.  When Bethany and CJ left for a fun evening in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night, the monkey and her two bananas (and her Grammie and Grampie, as photographers) headed out for Alice's first trick-or-treating adventure!  Here we are visiting our neighbor's house:

It was really more of a reverse trick-or-treating adventure, since we brought our candy with us and handed it out to people who complimented us on our costumes.  It was a fun trip around the neighborhood (and a beautiful night out - it was windy, but around 70 degrees!).  Alice especially liked being carried around the neighborhood since she usually gets strapped into her stroller for walks.

Also on Halloween night, Alice tried her first vegetable (prior to this, she had tried only rice cereal in addition to her milk).  Appropriate for the season, her first "real" food was sweet potatoes.  She really enjoyed them!:

The Salem crew returned late Saturday night after visiting haunted houses, having fortunes told, and enjoying rides (lots of fun, it sounded like - with Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, the city estimated that Salem received 100,000 visitors that night!).

The next day, Scott made a full breakfast for everyone, and we all traveled down for a mini-vacation to Danny and Chris's house in Marion.  It was a really fun, relaxing getaway!  Here are Auntie Bethany and Uncle CJ spending some more time with the monkey:

Auntie Bethany and Alice really had fun together.  We have been so lucky to be able to spend so much time together this year, even though we live 3,000 miles away!

In Marion, the guys put together an amazing meal, with each one contributing a dish.  Here are CJ and Scott, working on their macaroni and cheese, and herb soup (which has now been dubbed "liar's soup" because of all of its mythical ingredients!)

Here is Danny, coming in from outside after grilling the steaks (that was his dish):

Auntie Chris also got in some fun cuddle time with Alice.  Here is a great photo of the two of them!:

It was a really great time, and we were so happy, as always, that Bethany and CJ visited.  We already miss them so much!  Can't wait to see them again hopefully soon!

Here are the rest of the fun photos from the weekend.