Halloween Visitors

For Halloween this year, my sister flew in from Phoenix. It was sooo much fun with her and her little girl here. She got here the day before Halloween and left this morning... (sniff). WE of course did tons of talking and catching up, did Halloween school parties, trunk-treating at the church, and regular trick-or-treating. We also went to Seattle, did lots of shopping, the beach, Pacific Science Center, etc. Why does the fun always have to come to an end? Now I am just sitting here in a big empty house wearing rice on my tux, wondering what happened to my life (what movie is that from??????)

I feel like the worst mom because I didn't get a picture of all my 3 kids together on Halloween, but I did manage to get a shot of them separately... Landon the Elephant and Miranda his cousin (in which they have a love hate relationship) the bee.
The baby elephant drinking a bottle (I know he is too old to drink a bottle, we are working on that one :)) Wesley the Ninja...
Sydnie, the ghost (in which she changed to a baby the next day for her school carnival and then the next day for trick-or-treat she was a ballerina) A pretty day in Seattle!!Nice view from the Space Needle, my first time going up!! It costs a mere $16.00 to go to the top! YIKES! At least I can say I have been to the top now!
Since we went to Seattle on Halloween day, we saw some interesting people/costumes. This guys was working at Pikes Place and offering apples to kids. Kinda scary, but Wes wasn't scared, probably because there was food involved.
We ate at a seafood place near Pikes Place. Here is Aaron "downing" an oyster for the first time. We weren't quite sure he would like them...all raw and slimy...The Verdict???? Thumbs UP! Now I need to work enough nerve up to try them!

Octoberish Activities

The kids, just being crazy kids.
Landon got his first buzz cut, courtesy of his father, since I am not a fan of "mullets" (not sure if anyone should be a mullet fan)
October Sky
The boys on the (soggy) pumpkin farm. Sure has been raining a lot here. You would think we live in Seattle or something...
Can you tell whose is whose??
From left to right Sydnie's, Landon's, Wesley's. Happy Haunting!!

Chicken Tacos w/ Mango-Avocado Salsa

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1924691

(sorry it would NOT make into a link)
Here is the recipe y'all wanted. The only think I changed was I used flour tortillas instead of corn. DELICIOUS!

Calling all Decorators, or Otherwise...

You know who you are...you extremely talented individuals who decorate, or organize, or just have the best ideas in the entire world!! I need your help!! I have an EXTREMELY large "shelf" in my front room that I am at a loss of what to do with. I need some inspiration or creative ideas on how to dress it up! I want to get a HUGE pot and put something in it (is that lame?), but what else? Tell me your thoughts, ideas, suggestions etc. Thanks...

PS Ignore the big blue ball. My kids threw it up there, I guess that is their decor pick!

Fun with the Parentals...

Not sure if Parentals is a word, but it is now.
At the beach...it was a nice warm day! This is my idea of BLISS!My parents had never been to Seattle before and so we had to do all the "Tourist-y Seattle" things. We took a ferry over to Kingston just for the heck of it. We ate ice cream over there and then sailed right back. This is us on the ferry, FUN!Lando enjoying some good grub! BBQ ribs!
One of the days we went to the Pacific Science Center (and got in free!!!) It was VERY cool for the kids and even the grown ups. We spent almost ALL day in there!

Now, I am no expert at physics, but this cool bike was at the Science Center. Because of the weight suspended from the bottom of the bike, you can not fall over unless you are OVER 500 lbs. Of course ya gotta see the Space Needle and ride the monorail to Pikes Place!!!! I have never been to PP when it was SOOOO crowded. It made it fun though!!
Just LOVE this colorful pic at PP!

We went to Deception Pass....SO pretty. We walked over the billion mile high bridge and then went to a rocky beach where rocks were skipped for hours on end and AWESOME memories were made! That night we went out to dinner with mom and dad Lindsey WITHOUT kids (courtesy of mom and dad Banks)!!!! What an excellent time! SO, I made this post REALY long and put lots of pics up on purpose to make you all jealous and so you will all come visit! You are all welcome ANY time!! We had such a fun time with mom and dad!! We love you!!!!