South Dakota

 We headed to South Dakota for a fall four day break.  On our way to our cabin we stopped at Crystal caves.  Olivia's first time in a cave and she was a little nervous at first. We had a great ranger that had her help out and she loved it after that.

 Here Olivia is getting her Jr. Ranger award from Crystal Caves. 

Our next day we headed to Mount Rushmore and to Bear Country USA.  Both places we had a great time at.  Olivia got another Jr. Ranger from Mount Rushmore.

 What is Olivia Pointing too?

 On our way to dinner we stopped at this reptile place.  It was pretty cool but a little pricey.  We went to a snake show and it was very interesting.  We saw a cobra out of a cage and Olivia got to pet a.....

 Boa constrictor, she was in love and wanted one for a pet.  Yea that did not go well with me.  I do not like snakes.  At least she has places like this where she can enjoy them.

Our third day went went for a road trip just to look around this beautiful area.  We came across an old Fort which was another first for Olivia.

 We stopped at some falls, which ended up being nothing but a river.  Olivia had a blast catching grass hoppers.

 And on our way back to the cabin we stopped at Wind caves.  And that is where Olivia got her Last Jr. Ranger for this trip.  This cave was interesting but not as colorful or spacious as the first.

 Of course we had fire nights.  Smores is what we look forward to.  Jon enjoys the huge fires.

We had a great time and glad to be home.  It is always wonderful to explore a new place for just a short time.

new Doe

 This is how she went to school....





And

After school we finally got her hair cut.  She was asking for two weeks for it short, and I hesitated because I love her long hair.  But she looks so cute with cute hair it is hard to Deni her it.

I will never use the place we did though.  Last year the lady that did it really well, this year it looks like a bowl cute.  If she keeps it short I will pay more money and get a better job.

Boo Gram

"Boo Gram"?


A Boo-Gram is a mysterious note, left on neighbor's doors in the middle of the day. The note is usually a poem of sorts, and a large "Boo!" decoration for their front door. The decoration serves as a means of communicating to other neighbors that this house has already been "hit". By Halloween, it is not uncommon to see Boo-Grams lining up and down the street on all the doors in some neighborhoods!

Accompanying the Boo-Gram is a collection of goodies, determined by the giver. The goodies may vary from small Halloween treats, to kid's toys. The magic of these Boo-Grams is the reciprocation of this gift, as it is expected that when you are "Boo'd", you must "Boo" 2 other neighbors as well (after all, if you don't like your "Boo" gift, you can always re-gift to another neighbor!).

Adventurous types "Boo" their neighbors in the broad daylight or early evening hours, as it increases the possibility of getting caught... those familiar with the famous "doorbell ditch" prank of their childhood years will be happy to know that this tradition lives on, though the recipient gets a fun gift in the process.

Many neighborhoods start in early October, however the common time to start seeing "Boo-Grams" is a couple of weeks before Halloween. However don't wait for someone to "Boo" you - start the tradition in your neighborhood... you'll be surprised how quickly the excitement spreads around the neighborhood!


How to start the tradition:

1. Create a "Boo" bag/basket o' goodies (if this is new in your neighborhood, you may want to create 3 or 4)

2. Print a "Boo Poem" see below

3. Find your unsuspecting target

4. Make the "drop"

5. Ring the doorbell and knock

6. RUN!!!




You've Been Ghosted!

Late last night, we left you a treat. The tradition is fun, one we hope you'll repeat.
Take the ghost and pin it on your door, to let others know, you need ghosted no more.
Now it's your duty to pass on the surprise, to two more families, we must advise.
Gather some treats and deliver them soon, within two nights, under the light of the moon.
Include a ghost with each package you give, along with this poem for the tradition to live.


------OR-----

You have been Ghosted!


The Phantom Ghost has come to town,
To leave goodies you have found.
If you do not wish a curse to fall
You must continue this "Phantom" call.
First, post this Phantom where it can be seen
And leave it there till Halloween.
This will scare other visiting Phantoms away.
Be sure to participate, don't delay.
Second, make two treats,
Two Phantoms, and
Two notes like this.
Deliver it to two neighbors that might have been missed.
Don't let them see you, be sneaky, no doubt...
(And make sure they put their "Phantom Ghost" out!)***

Next, you will have only one day to act, so be quick!
Leave it at the doors where the Phantom has not hit!
Deliver it at dark when there is no light...
Ring the doorbell and run, and stay out of sight!!!
And last but not least, enjoy the season.
Don't worry, be happy for all the right reasons.
Be cool, have fun and remember, don't be seen!
Share the Spirit of Halloween!!

Click here for a printable poem and Boo Gram

Taekwondo board breaking

 Olivia fundraiser $165 dollars for the Woo song Foundation.  On top of the fundraising experience she got to break boards.  She broke 5 in total. 

 She had a blast.

 This was warm up before the breaking.

 Here is proud Olivia with all her boards.  She is awesome, and I am thrilled for her.

This was her group.  Can you find her.  A hint she is to the right of the check.

Pumpkin Patch

 We headed 30 minutes south for a pumpkin patch.  For the second weekend there were really picked over.

 Olivia had to find a pumpkin that had no "warts".  It was hard to find.

 This was her first choice.  But then we discovered a hole in it.

 And then we found another one for her which she loved.

 Jon found his warty pumpkin.

Olivia still looking!

 

We had a beautiful view, great crisp weather, and three pumpkins to come home with.  What a great get away.

 I went to Olivia's school to help out.  They went to the library first.  Olivia loves her books.

 Then we headed outside for a hour run.  Olivia did great and ran 16 laps which is almost 3 miles.  So proud of her.

Board Breaking

 Oliva raised $165 for the Woosing Foundation and went to her Taekwondo Board breaking event. She had a blast.  This was her warming up in a group.

 She was able to break 5 boards.  4 by her hands and 1 by her foot.

 We are so proud of our little girl.

Nana was able to go to this event as well.  We all had a wonderful time.

Mom for a Visit

We went for a 2 mile hike in Palmer park to stretch out our legs.

It was beautiful Scenery and cool weather.

 Another day we headed to the Zoo, Thanks to a friend that got us free tickets.

Mum's been there for Christmas lights but never to see the whole zoo. 

 Olivia loves showing her around.

 Mum even splurged and let her feed the birds.  Olivia loves the birds.

We went into the learning center and Olivia feed a Lizard Dragon.  She also saw a Fruit Bat that they fed.

We then went into the Monkey room and this is what we hear for 5 minutes.

 It has been my mom's goal to hike Pikes peak and we finally did it.  It was long and hard but she did it.

 This was the first mountain we had to hike to get to the peak.  What a view.

 After this picture we went inside and ate donuts.  At the top of the peak there is a gift shop/restaurant and the donuts are amazing.  You can only get them there.

 This was taken on the way up a very steep hill.

If you can ever hike a 14000 foot mountain, it is worth the sweat and pain when you get to the top.

The next day we went to Elitch Park.  We had a blast but never go when you have a head cold.  It never ends up well.  We had a great two weeks together. 

Taekwondo practice

 Head off to our first practice together.  I can't wait.

Taekwondo

Today was Olivia's first lesson.
                                     She did great!
                    She kicked, Punch's and a little yell came out too.
                                    They get stickers on how they do every week at home,
                                                            She is still working on her stickers from home but she got the
Best Student in the class that day, sticker.
                                        She did awesome, and she enjoyed it too.
So proud. 
                Sorry no pictures, I cant take one in.

I hope to get some pictures at her fundraiser next weekend.  Her goal is too break 5 boards. 

I will totally have a camera for that!

Balloon Classic

 I was unable to attending this mornings event, but coming home from work this was what I saw.

 Balloons flying all around the house.  It was incredible.  This one above is a pig and says when pigs flight.

 just so peaceful to see and to hear.  Yes you can hear the gas when it is pulled.

happy Labor Day