Halloween Review Contest

There were so many good costumes (not to mention all the kids we knew that dressed up) that I thought I would share. Even Aaron's 240 Z car dressed up for a race! Shelley and I were having a good time at the Hagar's Haunted Party as a bandito and Pippi Longstocking. Mom A was a very scary Morticia Adams. So...I'm taking a poll...which kid is the coolest/cutest for Halloween? Vote in the comments as the choices are:
1. our nephew, Matthew, as a dancing dinosaur
2. our neice, Kaitlyn, as a princess
3. cousin Aiden as Superman
4. cousin Trever as a Bear
5. cousin Zachary as a scary zombie/skeleton/reaper
6. Kayla (she doesn't need a costume with those pigtails and pumpkins around!)
7. Regan as a witch
8. Jasmine as a pumpkin
9. Landon as an Astronaut
10. Samantha as a fairy
11. Master Z Car as Number 98
CAST YOUR VOTES! Let the games begin!

Bad Omen?

Last night we went to eat Chinese food and something occurred that has never happened in my life of eating Chinese food (and the odds are high considering my weakness for it): Jeff and I got the same fortune from our cookies! And not only that but it was probably the worst fortune that I've ever gotten: "No man will work for your interests unless they are his." How depressing.

Birthday Celebration Weekend

A relaxing Saturday - one of us * and a nice shot of Beth and her Mom, Pam.

Keri-Ann, Bryan, and Regan * Tammy with daughter, Samantha

Regan and the world cake!



















This is the B&B * Jeff and I in front of one of the Sundy House pools.



















This is Keith and Tammy at the Sundy House * Jeff and the sleeping macaw.

This past weekend, several important people had birthdays so there was lots to celebrate! Saturday we went over to Keri-Ann and Bryan's place to see their newly 1-year old daughter, Regan, demolish the world in cake form. Regan's cake was the coolest thing ever and Keri-Ann and Bryan let her eat it up all by herself (well - she didn't eat much of it but the icing made pretty colors). There was lots of relaxing hanging out happening there and we watched Clemson beat Georgia Tech! Go Tigers! As you can see, I've made a tiger out of Jeff.

And Sunday we had brunch with the B&B at the Sundy House since it was Beth's birthday. Yay! The Sundy House is this local Bed and Breakfast known for their Sunday brunch spread (click on this post title to go to their webpage) - we had never been but had heard the delicious rumors and were not disappointed. Afterwards, we took a stroll around the gardens which were gorgeous filled with tropical plants, ponds, bamboo, and a sleeping macaw! I'm pretty sure our yard will look this nice next summer.

Grumpy Morning Looks

Just in case any of you were wondering what it's like to wake up in our house - you always have two pups thinking they belong in bed more than you do! Look at Karma's face - she's like, "excuuuuusssse me? I'm not ready to get up yet." Zen is like "just a little longer!"

Let me out!

A coworker sent this photo to me and I thought it was funny enough to share. I guess the gator was stressed out by the humans vs. the other way around! This is about the size of the ones that are in the STAs at that Test Cells project I posted about earlier.

Greg and Taryn's Wedding

Last weekend, we went to Delaware to see cousin Greg and Taryn's wedding. This is us with Debbie and Chris and Kaitlyn before leaving for the big event! Poor little Matthew had to stay home to avoid potential energetic phases during the ceremony. It was very fun being held at the art museum and dancing with the fam - Kaitlyn definitely has some hot moves kinda like Pigpen of the Peanuts Gang.

So...this was the last wedding of the year for us! Whew! It will be really nice to spend some time at home in October and catch up on cleaning and yardwork. If any of you is thinking about getting married, I have a suggestion: ELOPE! hahaha!

Chad and Allison's Wedding

Hooray! Chad and Allison got married this past weekend! I tried to convey the weekend in pictures by sequential order - Bridal lunch at Pettigru Place to girls getting ready to ceremony and some reception poses. The weekend in G-vegas, SC was beautiful and the best way to welcome in Autumn that I can think of. It was so great seeing my family and Allison and Olivia's as well. A great celebration (especially when the bride and groom danced in pirate hats).

Labor Day in Chicago

Over Labor Day weekend, we went to Chicago to go to Patrick and Polina's wedding - so we made a fun weekend out of it! We had a blast walking around Millenium Park, going to the Art Institute (I saw a Monet! My life is complete!), and catching a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. It was also great fun b/c we got to hang out with Danny and Jon Annis, two of our great pals from Michigan Tech! Mr. Annis has been in Madegascar for 3 years, so it was definitely great to see that guy. As you can see from above, there was lots to see! Doesn't everyone look snazzy for the wedding?!