Happy Halloween

Halloween was CRAZY busy! We started at 5 pm with a few houses on our street, did another couple of blocks near friend Bonnie's house and then proceeded to do a whole neighborhood at Auntie Carlee's house. Ethan ran like the wind all night. There was no stopping IRON MAN! Thanks to Grammie for adding the special light effect and hemming the legs. Ethan tripped a couple of times, not from the costume, but from running so fast with a 10 pound bag of candy. We actually dumped out the bag twice because it was getting so heavy for him to carry. He eventually gave up and had me carry it while he brought back handfuls of candy. He'd knock on doors and everyone would ask, "Where's your bag?" One of the boys trick-or-treating with us would tell them, "He just eats it on the run!" Perhaps the funniest moment of the night was the rocker neighbor with long hair who answered the door with a veggie platter (yes, the ones you buy ready to go with dip). He asked the kids if they wanted carrots, broccoli or tomatoes. One of the kids just said, "Well, I'll just take the carrots!" It was HILARIOUS! Then, the guy brought out the real bowl of candy. I forgot to run through the rules with Ethan on the way so had to make up for it on the run.

1. Go to every house with a light on so you end up with a big bag of loot.
2. Watch for cars.
3. No running across lawns (they've just been over seeded).
4. Always say "Trick or Treat, thank you and Happy Halloween!"
5. Only take one candy if someone leaves out a bowl (even though we took it all as kids).
6. Stay in small groups. You'll get more candy.
7. If you're fast, you'll get to the doorbell first.

8. If someone is sitting out front and you don't get to ring the doorbell, don't say, "What is this ass business?"

9. Whatever you do, don't pee your costume. Ask another boy where a good pee spot is along the way.

10. When you get home, yes you can sort your candy, but you can only eat one before bedtime.

11. All the "choker" candy goes in the trash and anything else nasty. We only keep the good stuff! :)

Happy Halloween!

 

Trick-or-Treating x 2

You can't beat two nights of trick-or-treating! We went to the 1st Annual Halloween Party at Marley Farms tonight. Ethan played games, rode ponies, visited the animals in the petting zoo and bounced forever in the jumper. We even met up with best buddies Hudson and Carter! Since I didn't want the silver Iron Man costume covered in dust and saturated with farm smell, Ethan went as a cowboy. John's little chaps still fit him, but I think this is the last year for them. We were hoping tomorrow night's costume would be something sweet. Originally, he wanted to be Plex from Yo Gabba Gabba, but after Uncle Jason introduced Ethan to Iron Man last year and then he saw part of Iron Man 2, the decision was made and he was NOT changing his mind! Grammie added an extra touch, putting a light into the chest, just the like the real Iron Man. While the mask is a bit too big and the eye slits are a bit too small, he's thrilled to walk a couple of neighborhoods on Halloween filling his bag with candy.

The Next GAP Model (Hopeful)

My mom gave me 48 hours notice that the GAP was looking for their next model. Of all things, they wanted photos with jeans taken in the last 3 months. Ok, so it's still 90 degrees in Phoenix so a jeans photo didn't exist. We quickly snapped some new photos and sent them into the GAP contest. With 100,000+ entries and 20 top finalists to be chosen in December, I think we'll have little to no luck winning this one. However, I think my baby is one handsome toddler (and that's all that counts!). :)

Thailand Adventure

My parents and Jason/Mai just returned from two weeks in Thailand and China. They walked the Great Wall, went to the World EXPO in China and visited the Maesa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand (just to name a few adventures). So, I had to share a couple of adorable photos from their elephant ride. The elephants are so cute!

Bobby Flay

My brother Jason and his girlfriend Mai enjoy cooking and dining on fabulous food. Last Christmas I gave them a subscription to Culture Magazine (a cheese magazine). I'm always thinking of restaurant gift cards to give them or foodie related things. I know he likes Bobby Flay. They both enjoyed his restaurant, Mesa Grill, in the Bahamas several years ago. So, a client/good friend and I went to his book signing on Sunday. He's on tour for his latest book, Throwdown. I was hoping we'd be near the front of the line, but with 500+ books sold, we had about a 3 hour wait. I didn't care, it gave me time to think about what he could write for my brother... Happy Birthday or something along those lines (his birthday is coming up). No go! We were in and out before we knew it. I ended up getting Ethan a copy too since we've joked about him being the next Bobby Flay. He'll appreciate it one day!

Fall Farm Fun

Off to the 3rd farm this week with fall break and while most of it was fun, having a 3 year old can be trying at times! Ethan and his best buddies rode a train, played in the pumpkin patch, went down a big tunnel slide, rode little tractor tricycles, went on the ponies, carousel and even a big roller coaster (well, big for a 3 year old!). In the distance I could hear Ethan saying "Yah hoo, yah hoo!" I think that means he had fun at the farm!

Farmer's Markets & Food Trucks

Ok, I'm obsessed! I've always been one for supporting locals first. I love the farmer's markets, the unique finds and friendly people you meet. But now I'm all about the food trucks, especially after watching the Food Truck Challenge on the Food Network with Tyler Florence. My brother Jason, who lives in Los Angeles, eats off of them regularly. The Nom Nom truck was a favorite on the Food Truck Challenge and Jason has eaten their goods in LA. Jealous! Phoenix has entirely different rules though. They aren't food truck friendly. I have no clue why. We've slowly started meeting some of the food truck owners and they are awesome people, putting out awesome eats! Tonight we ran down to the PHX Farmer's Market to grab some goodies and dinner from Short Leash Hot Dogs and dessert from Torched Goodness. Chatted with Jeff of Truckin' Good Food, too. So, if you're curious and you live in Phoenix, let me know when you want to check out the trucks and local goods. Ethan enjoys going, too! His favorite - vanilla creme brulee! And clearly, I'm never going to be thin!

10 10 10 @ Freeman Farm

At 10 am on 10-10-10 we were driving through Prescott on our way to Chino Valley's Freeman Farm. There are family traditions I grew up with, some we continue with Ethan and some we've created. One of them is going to a "real" pumpkin patch each October to pick our pumpkins off the vine. I remember picking pumpkins in Carmel Valley as a youngster. At Freeman Farm, they also have entertainment, rides, a corn maze, petting zoo and horse shows. They had wild west shows and a face painter this year, too. When we were riding the train, two train robbers stopped us. Ethan's lip started to quiver and I knew the tears were about to come until the robber leaned over and offered a lollipop! Ethan had fun getting a glittery spider tattoo (this after much convincing...he wanted his whole face painted like Spiderman and I just couldn't have that with pictures yet to be take in the patch!). After a burger lunch, the boys enjoyed their big bag of kettle corn. We finished our day in the patch. We found three perfect pumpkins that Ethan was proud to cut and bought a few others that had already been cut. We'll be visiting another farm later this week where I want to get a giant pumpkin for carving on Halloween! Happy October! :)

Oktoberfest King

Oktoberfest was the last weekend in September this year. Each year, they vote in a KING and QUEEN based on best costume and audience applause. There is also beer drinking, brat eating, German dancing and games. Of course, Grammie ordered lederhosen for Ethan to wear well in advance. And, Ethan took KING for the 2nd year in a row! The best part was Grammie had made all of the Gingerbread cookie necklaces for the town event so not only did he take home the KING cookie necklace, Grammie had already made him an 'Ethan' one, too. We're going to have to step it up another notch next year if we want to win again. I'm thinking the traditional knee socks or 7 foot horn would seal the deal! Happy October!