Halloween at Harter Secrest

Yesterday we went to the annual trick-or-treat festivities at Harter Secrest. We got to see David's Rochester office for the first time. The pictures of his view don't do it justice. It's amazing. You can see all of Rochester...the river, the cornhill area, kodak, that weird revolving restaurant building where I had my junior prom. Anyway, it was way cool. The kids loved running around and getting candy. Somewhere in the midst of the production Lily realized she loved yelling, "TRICK OR TREAT!!!" She would run up to an office and yell at the top of her lungs. I think people got a kick out of it. I got a kick out of big brother Jack rationing candy...and telling his sister, "Lil, you can have just one." He's the voice of reason. Here are some pics. Happy Friday! We're looking forward to some visitors this evening. Hopefully I'll get other good shots to post.

Before they had any candy...






View From David's Office. Dinosaur BBQ is down to the left.

There's the Hyatt, the revolving restaurant building, and the Kodak building

Lily is ready to work!

Blurry but precious.

Chase Farms

A couple weeks back I went with Jack and his class to Chase Farms. The kids were excited to pick their own pumpkins and run through the corn maze. But during the trip a tsunami swarmed through Chase Farms. It was a cold, wet, muddy adventure. Had I been wearing some type of head gear to shield me from said tsunami, I might have enjoyed myself a little more. I kept waiting for the other parents to say, "Hey, this is really cold and rainy...I don't want the kids to get sick...let's go back to school." Nobody did though. I guess the important part is that Jack had fun. He got to feed a goat, run through a muddy maze to find an apple, and sit next to his whiny mom on the wet wagon. I can't wait for the field trip to the Del Monte Lodge and Spa.

Feeding the goat


At first I thought he was going to try and ride the goat. Phew.

In the corn maze with his apple and very happy. Too bad I didn't get a shot of when he dropped the apple moments later in the mud. No worries..he just ran back and got another one.

This picture is blurry because it was pouring out and my hair is saturated.



Despite the storm, Jack wanted to take time for a photo

Jack and Rai chatting over apples

Pumpkin Carving

Last night we carved pumpkins. Jack had been asking us to do this virtually every day since we brought the pumpkins home. Anyway, the kids put on their new Halloween pjs from Aunt Kate and crowded around the kitchen table. Steve and Kate came over to help.

Here's a picture of the master at work. You'll notice our sad looking walls in the background. We're in the midst of removing wallpaper. Hasta La Vista 80's school picture backdrop.


Lily checking out the pumpkin guts

What every good pumpkin party needs is a rendition of "Lady of Spain."

I was there too...and looking rather fetching I might add.

The carving scene was getting a little tired so Lily wanted her aunt to read to her.

Ok, change of heart. She crept up on to Steve's lap to assist with his pumpkin design.

It's hard to see but the little pumpkin saw, that came in one of those pumpkin carving kits, was ridiculous. Picture trying to mash potatoes with a teaspoon. Needless to say, the carving was a tedious event.

"Hey Steve, I have another one for you."

Fashion break.

Kate didn't realize when she moved to Rochester she would inherit her very own stylist. Jessica Simpson has Ken Paves. Kate has Lily Archer.



Kate showing off her carving skills.

Another master. He had this little tool that perforates the pumpkin. He wanted to carve in the worst way.

Jack - O- Lantern!

Two tired little pumpkins

David's ...

Steve's...

Looking forward to Halloween!

Isn't it Rich?

I found these clown costumes the other day when I was rummaging through one of our halloween totes. My Grandma Joan made these outfits for Kevin and I when we were little. I know there's a good picture floating around somewhere of us clowns with my mom. But, in the meantime, I found the two below. I put the costumes on Jack and Lily this morning. Jack was not really interested in being a clown. He said he didn't have a clown nose and the hat was not staying up. I guess maybe the clown isn't as cool as a firefighter. Lily however is still wearing the clown costume. I couldn't find the yellow hat so she's been trying to get the red and white check hat.

I'm guessing...circa 1981



2010



Be a clown, be a clown, all the world loves a clown...



She wouldn't look at me...she had business to take care of.

Her silly face

"But where are the clowns? Quick, send in the clowns. Don't bother they're here."

Potent Potables for $3,000

My smartypants of a husband participated in a local trivia competition last week. The proceeds from the tenth annual Brain Game went to the Literacy Volunteers of Rochester. David and his team came in second. But in all fairness, he came in second to a team called the "Intellectual Insolvents." Did he really have a chance? He should have brought Jack. Haha.

Here's a link to the article in today's "Daily Record":

http://nydailyrecord.com/blog/2010/10/19/bankruptcy-team-wins-10th-brain-game/

Brunch

When my sister was in town we all went to brunch. The best line from that morning?

Jack: Grandpa, I see you have some bacon

Dad: I do, would you like some?

Jack: Yes, I'll share some sausage with you.

Jack then proceeded to snatch my dad's bacon and eat all of his sausage. I guess we still have to work on the whole concept of sharing.

Package from Grandma Toni and Grandpa Dave!

Love from Memphis