Trick-or-Treat

No pictures but I thought I would share our first official Halloween handing out candy. We did run out of candy. We had 570 pieces give or take a few (we treated ourselves to several pieces), but that still was not enough. 

Some favorite or interesting moments include;

1. Young girl (age 15-18) in everyday clothes coming up and opening her purse saying "Trick-or-Treat."

2. Two children walking up the sidewalk with mom and dad escorting them, or so we thought, until both mom AND dad held out their bags and said "Trick-or-Treat."

3. Mom comes up and holds out two bags expecting candy. We must have had looks on our faces because she said "I know I'm too old, right? My son is in the car. His legs are tired." Okay, that explains one bag in your hand . . . what about the other one . . .

4. Kids wanting to choose and/or upsize their candy.

5. "Trick-or-Treat," "Thank You," and costumes are optional.

We did have fun though . . . for the most part the kids were nice and appreciative and parents reminded them to say "Thank You." We did get two older kids to do tricks for us. Our favorite costumes include; frogs, police officers, Dr. Seuss Thing 1 and Thing 2, and a Boxer.

I haven't trick-or-treated in 15+ years but things seem to be a lot different.

Snow, Snow, Go Away . . .

Yes, it actually snowed today, on Sunday, October 26th. I knew it was coming but I wasn't ready. Ready or not, here it comes . . . 

Happy Halloween

I can't remember the last time I carved a pumpkin but Alex and I decided to be silly and get in the holiday spirit. Plus I wanted to have some decoration for next weekend. According to our neighbors we should expect up to 600 trick-or-treaters because we are on the parkway. Parents drop the kids off at the beginning of the street and pick them up at the end. 

Alex wanted to get artistic and show his love of hockey. I decided to go traditional with my pumpkin.

Alex worked very diligently on his pumpkin design.

I now remember why I haven't done this in years. Yuck!

I was surprised with my end result. I was not forced to cut off teeth. I am actually quite proud of my traditional pumpkin face.

Of course, Alex always has to show me up! Here he is with his Minnesota Wild pumpkin . . .

He couldn't resist. It's the Great Pumpkin!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

SURPRISE!!!

I received an awesome surprise last weekend. My mom and dad came to Minneapolis for a visit. I had no idea they were coming. Apparently my parents found a great deal on tickets and arranged the surprise with Alex. Very sneaky!!! I should have known something was up when Alex all of a sudden got this need to clean during the week. :o) Anyway, Alex and I had planned a date on Friday night. He took me to dinner at the Oceannaire. (I recommend the crab cakes and hashbrowns.) As we were walking back to our table there were two familiar faces behind menus. SURPRISE! I could not believe my parents were in Minneapolis. I was speechless and so HAPPY to see them.

We had a great visit even though it was short. Unfortunately, I do not have many pictures. Dad took most of them. Perhaps once I get them I can update and share. We toured General Mills, Lake Minnetonka, shopped in Excelsior, drove around Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun, and Lake of the Isles. We drove up the parkway and toured Robbinsdale (our neighborhood). We also took them to an apple orchard called Apple Jack's. Unfortunately, we are at the end of the season so the apples were literally picked over. 

We did go through the corn maze. It seemed like fun. They had clues for us to answer but I think people moved signs and created new paths.

We tried to have fun but it was unusually warm. We overdressed thinking it would be a bit chilly. As soon as we were in the maze we were ready to get out.

Once we got out of the maze, we headed to the barn to get some apple goodies . . . cinnamon donuts, apple pull aparts, apple fritters . . . YUM! We even got to pick apples inside since there were not many left on the trees. We now know to go earlier next year!

Week of Hockey

About a month ago, Alex had the opportunity to play open hockey at the Xcel Energy Center where the Minnesota Wild (NHL team) plays. He was very excited to skate on professional ice. (Alex is standing between the "E" and "N" of "Energy.)

Alex is sitting in the Visitor's box waiting to get back on the ice. He started listing off all of the famous NHL players that have been in that box. #1 on the list Wayne Gretzky (his idol).

All smiles after skating a great game. 2 goals and an assist . . . Suit him up Wild!

So if that wasn't enough we had the opportunity to go to the Wild's preseason games the next 2 nights against the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres. At the Buffalo Sabres game we were 3 rows from the glass.

I was hoping to see a fight since were so close but no such luck. 

The Wild and Sabres tied the game and played in overtime. The Wild won! It was a great first NHL experience for myself. 

Catching Up!

Can you tell I have a job now? I haven't had a chance to update my fabulous blog that probably everyone has already lost interest in. Well if you are still checking it I will be adding lots of new posts with events from the past month. I can't believe I accepted my position with Aveda a month ago. So far the job is going well. I am starting to get my feet wet and trying to understand all of the product offerings and what my group can do to elevate the brand. I believe I will make a big impact and hope that will present new opportunities.

Working Girl

I have been offered and I accepted a Package Designer position with Aveda. 

I start this coming Monday. I am very excited about the opportunity and hope that it will open new doors for me. I will be responsible for designing Aveda products' packaging but will also get to utilize my Marketing degree I am still spending a lot of money on. 

Things are starting to fall into place . . .