A Scary Halloween Story

Halloween was fun this year (as it pretty much is every year)! First, we enjoyed our church's trunk-or-treat on Saturday. Kennedy was a ladybug, thanks mostly to our friend Keara who made her awesome tutu. Randy and I couldn't decide what to be until the last minute, but we came up with some good "punny" costumes. Randy was a leaf-blower, and I was pumpkin pie (featured also are Aunt Katie, aka Flo, David the monkey, and Aunt Rachel the Zoo Keeper).




On Sunday we enjoyed soup in a pumpkin, made by Katie. It was delicious. Kennedy enjoyed handing candy to Nonnie.



We got back home in time for a few trick-or-treaters to stop by. One group was memorable. Three girls, all around 10 years old came to the door. I was able to guess two of their costumes pretty easily, a Bumblebee and Spiderman. The third girl's outfit looked familiar, and after a minute I said "Oh, you are Rainbow Bright!" She looked at me confused and said, "No, I am Rainbow Cutie." Her friend then rolled her eyes and said, "It's the same thing. Rainbow Bright is what it was called in the olden days." I didn't know that I grew up in the "olden days." Apparently, I did. Now that is Scary!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Randy! Randy baked his own cakes this year (Mr. Efficency at his best), and they were great. A big thanks to his mom, for saving the awesome cake pan for so many years, and thanks to our friend Jennifer, who helped decorate them.


Kennedy loved the cake (of course!)

10-10-10

10-10-10 is coming! Not only is this day Randy's Birthday, but he is turning 30! How often does one's birthday add up to one's exact age? I am thinking that it must be pretty unique! We don't eat out on Sundays, but Randy found this Houlihan's ad that is great. I am glad that they are giving out props for such a cool day. Numbers 2 and 8 are our favorites.

Look who's one!

Kennedy turned ONE this month! Crazy, but so cool. She had a great birthday and enjoyed a multi-day celebration that included grandparents, a great-grandma, aunts, a cousin, and a great-aunt. Baby K ate her cake and ice cream like a pro- we couldn't be more proud of her!

Be a Billiken!

What is a Billiken, you ask? Well, this is:


And now, this is:



Randy started graduate school at St. Louis University last month, fulfilling his long standing dream of being a Billiken. For the official ruling on what a Bilikan really is, please read the following from SLU's website:

The Billiken is a good-luck figure who represents "things as they ought to be." Designed and manufactured in the early 1900s as a bank and statuette, the Billiken was the national rage for about six months. By 1912, the Billiken and its value as a good luck charm were just memories for all except the loyal fans of Saint Louis University.

How the Billiken became attached to the University remains a matter of debate. It seems to have happened sometime between 1910 and 1911 at the height of Billikenmania.

A St. Louis sports writer decided that SLU football coach John Bender resembled the Billiken. Later, a cartoonist drew a caricature of Bender in the form of a Billiken and posted it in the window of a drugstore. The football team soon became known as Bender's Billikens.

One last point on Billiken luck: To buy a Billiken gives the purchaser luck, but to have one given to you is better luck.

The next 2 years promise to be busy, but hopefully they will be full of good luck now that there is a Billiken in the house!

So long summer!

Hooray- summer and its oppressive heat is mostly gone! Hooray for fall and the cool weather and beautiful colors that this season brings. Still, we did have some good times this summer. Last month we traveled to Colorado for a family reunion to celebrate my (Amy's) grandmother's 90th birthday. We had a great time and loved the mountains.

Here we are enjoying the mountains (Kennedy didn't get much sleep this day so she was super slap happy- it made for some good pics!):


Kennedy with Great Grandma W:

All of the fam:

Summertime

Summer is flying by! At the end of June we enjoyed a family reunion with Randy's family, and we will be heading to attend another one for my side this weekend.




Kennedy has been busy standing on things...




getting into things...




and reading (please note how awesome her hair looks after swimming).