Happy Halloween! Shake 'n Bake Baby!

Ricky Bobby and Carley. Shake 'n Bake, baby!

I didn't think of anything for a costume, which I was disappointed about because I love to dress up. 

I pulled out my old witches hat and striped tights and decided I'd buy a cute neon orange bob wig to go with it.

But then Dan came up with the idea of being a race car driver for his work party. Then decided he'd be Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights. I ran with that idea and ran to Savers and Zurchers to come up with a costume. The shoes and the "Baby Doll" tank top were golden finds!

Nick made his own Jedi white robe using a sheet and much patience and creativity. 

It turned out great!

We had over 175 trick or treaters so had to resort to giving out Izze's after the Sour Spray and Nerds Ropes were gone. Sour spray was a huge hit. Going to use that again next year!

Clara Day -- Thanksgiving

After running a few errands, for our walk today, Clara and I walked down my street so we could enjoy the leaves changing colors and the crunch beneath our feet. It was a perfect day -- a bit of a chill but sunny.

She told me about this poster on her door. One year a little girl ripped the corner off. Clara was really disappointed. But then she realized it was symbolic.

We focus on our blessings and all we have, and don't worry or focus on the things that didn't work out so well or that we don't have.

She's so smart and has such a positive attitude. I love her! (She's also a perfectionist and I realized I could very well be "seeing" future me when I'm with her. I've got to learn to let the little things go! One of her favorite things to say is, "I'm 92 years old! I shouldn't still be having to run this place (her condo complex). But other people don't care like I do, so I guess I have to do it myself! Ha!

Pumpkin Carving and Chores

For Family Night we ate dinner at the new pizza place in town,

worked together to bring the outdoor cushions inside, work on Chris' U application and Nick's Personal Management merit badge, and carve pumpkins.

Sunday Reading

A perfect place to read my scriptures on Sunday morning. I love the leaves! 

And the colors! Blanket, sweatshirt and slippers... Ahhhh Fall!

Monster Mash

Bummer to arrive home and find the Adair's car had a flat tire! 

The good news is it was a great opportunity for Dan to teach the boys how to change a flat tire.

We were so glad to have the rest of the evening to relax and know we had Saturday and Sunday too before the kids went back to school!

Chris and Luke went straight to the football game (Go Oly!)

And on Saturday they had Monster Mash. Of course Chris and his date were 

Dodgers baseball players (Go Blue!)

We watched the Dodgers!

Happy!

Last Day, London and Lotteries

Today we didn't see too much, but we enjoyed being out and about in London.

We started out meeting Ford for brunch at a favorite deli. 

He's currently attending Royal Academy of Music. It was so great to see him and 

catch up on his life and music in London.

Then we went back to Buckingham Palace to check it out without the crowds.

After the Palace we walked through Westminster Abbey (why don't I have photos?)

and outside the Parliament buildings. We would have seen Big Ben, but all we saw was Big Ben covered in scaffolding and hidden behind tarps. 

We also walked near 6 Downing Street where the Prime Minister lives.

Everyone was really tired but we didn't have time to go back home before our tickets to see Churchill War Rooms. We found a place for dessert... and naps for some.

The War Rooms were very interesting. I didn't care much about the museum -- but it was very thorough and some of our group spent a long time enjoying the exhibits. 

I loved walking through the actual space and listening to what happened in those rooms. They were decorated to look just as they would have at that time. 

Some of us finished early and some took longer, but it was nice to sit outside and rest for a while.

Then we headed to Picadilly Circus for dinner and to see Les Miserables!

Excited to see and ride in the London taxis!

This is when we discovered Rachel and Jeremy won the lottery. Yes, it's true! We obviously thought they were joking! We assumed the photo of them holding their check was a Halloween costume.

We assumed the video they sent announcing a winner in their town was still them pulling our leg.

What?! Yes, it's really, really true! First time buying a ticket!

This is where WE won the lottery getting to go to Les Mis in London. 

Great tickets and it was so awesome! 

Then we went home to go to bed and get ready to fly home! What a trip!

Cliffs of Moher and on to London

We had a 2-3 hour drive from Adare to the Cliffs of Moher. 

Our only really freezing day that afternoon! But it was beautiful! 

We drove through the Burren on our way to Shannon where we were staying in the 

airport hotel since we had an early flight to London.

I wouldn't make a special trip to see the Burren, but everyone else slept as

we drove through and it wasn't out of the way.

Our little hotel at the airport in Shannon was actually pretty comfortable, updated and clean. 

And the pub in the hotel was really great food, surprisingly. 

We could walk to the airport which was super convenient.

On our way into the city from the airport, we stopped just in time to watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Nick and Chris didn't believe me that this happens nearly every day with this many people showing up to watch.

Our hotel overlooked the Tower Bridge 

 We took a boat taxi to the O2 to see U2 in concert.

It was awesome!

A Day in Adare

I’m sitting here...

Watching these guys...

In Ireland 

These guys are waiting for us back at the hotel.

ADARE

Pulling up to Adare Manor was amazing!

We got a tour of Dunsfield Castle (which we thought was Adare Castle, but is not).

Thatched Roofs

The boys spent the afternoon clay pigeon shooting with an instructor.

Everyone did great, but as it turns out, Nick is a crack shot! He even impressed the instructor!

That cute smile when the instructor told him he'd hit the most targets of a first-timer he'd instructed.

His bag full of casings.

Diane and I took a walk in the afternoon around the gardens and the estate. Amazing!

We ate in town that night at a pub (we ate at pubs every night!) 

and enjoyed the local atmosphere and true Irish music 

while we watched hurling and Gaelic football that were playing in the pub on the TV's.