Science Friday

Took the girls to a science lecture at CSUC with Grampa Alligator tonight. Gut bacteria and behavior were apparently wildly entertaining.

Annual Halloween Party

Last night capped off the 11th annual Halloween party. It dumped rain most of the day so the bounce hose had to be cancelled. But I also realized that I had a house full of teens this year. There were still some young ones. But it would have been a dangerous combination of ages in a bounce house!!

Rex was in charge of the dry ice this year (thank you, Pitman family!) in addition to my "spooky apple juice" Rex made a "spooky" fountain on the back patio.









Valerie has been studying anatomy this year and really wanted a skeleton for her birthday. Lucky her birthday coincides with skeleton availability. This came from Susan & John. There was much hilarity all night. It was holding a drink, balloons, a fan, was wearing a hat, etc. it was a great guest. Didn't make a huge mess and, frankly, was a good listener for anyone who needed to talk.








Ruth & Valerie were a dryer & washing machine this year. So clever! Here Dillon & Amira strike a pose with the appliances.








Ryan, Rex, Valerie, Natalie, Amira, Dillon & Ruth. Little Jenna is in the front row.










Ruth, Natalie & Dillon.







Dillon, Natalie & Briar.







Natalie, Madelyn, Valerie, Ruth, other Natalie in back row. Briar & Dillon down front.









Dawn & Dana! They've been reliably attending for years.








Evan & Guy as a pirate & executioner.









Opal & Amira.





Seyda






Michael & Casey






In front are Amira's friend, Ruby, Iris, Opal, little Miles & big Miles. Crystal, Michael & others in background.










Adam & Dawn, the regulars.







Natalie's parents.








Pictures got blurrier as the evening wore on. Here's Bailey, Jordan & Rex. Jordan & Rex have been friends since kindergarten. All three of them are in scouts together.







Bailey provided some fire eating & fire breathing for entertainment.

A good night was had by all.

Valerie Turns Into a Teen

On the morning of October 25th Valerie & I headed out to a 4-H fundraiser ... But not before a big old breakfast at Morning Thunder with Madelyn & her mom too.
















Excuse me, I ordered a LARGE??














Michael & I surprised her by swinging by the pet store & letting her pick out a couple of rat buddies. She went for the males this time.













The albino is named Sardines and the hooded blue is Big Savings. They are so small and only a month old now. But these guys will get twice as big as Cookies & Cream were.













Valerie, Natalie & Amira with pocket pets.















A gaggle of teens!! Valerie, Ruth, Natalie, Madelyn & Briar.















Valerie got a gluten free Marion berry pie from the Sweet Cottage. I could eat this every day!!! This purchased pie followed an entire scratch meal by request: chicken cordon bleu, kahlua yams & spinach salad with warm bacon vinegrette. I didn't even feel guilty about buying that pie.













We had everyone line up tallest to smallest. Valerie is only just barely shorter than me. The rest of the girls are crazy tall!














After a long night doing whatever it is that teen girls do, they came together for doughnuts.














Remember when we could eat those without the side effects?














Later in the day Natalie & my kids took the rats outside to carve jack-o-lanterns.























































































































That evening we went to Susan & John's house where they cooked up a meal and baked a cake for a combo Valerie-Alligator birthday. Look at that cake! My hat is off to Susan!





















Happy Birthday Alligator!

One Night In Bangkok

Okay, it was two nights in Bangkok ... But I felt the need to use the song title! I'm a sucker for cheesy stuff like that.

I had an opportunity to follow Michael to Bangkok for a quick trip. I'm not about to turn down a free ticket!

Here is a quick snap shot of our whirlwind trip last week.

Our hotel was conveniently located on the river where we could take the water busses up and down. That was a delight! Jump on, jump off ... But do it quick as they don't stop for long!








Here is a quick look at the colors and fresh produce that popped out at us everywhere.








Coconuts were very refreshing in the heat and humidity.








Our first morning out we took a tour of the Emerald Palace & caught the changing of the guard.








Thai Beefeater? He made a nice prop.








The princess was coming the following day, so it's a good thing we went the first morning when it was open to the public.








Next we took a canal tour on our private boat. Like Venice ... Not.








These critters were all over the banks! Well, in the water too.








The world famous reclining Buddah.








We had lunch at a restaurant where this tree grew right out of it. It was like something created for Disneyland.








Chicken soup, papaya salad & Thai iced tea!








We got caught in a down pour!








The garden pool & bar at the Royal Orchid Sheraton (our hotel).






Mango & sticky rice heaven!






We bought a beer from this lady for our boat driver ... I know!






Wow!






Michael kept trying to get the best picture of a boat motor for Scott. I hope you enjoy!






In lieu of toilet paper, nay I interest you in a sprayer?






Or, perhaps a bucket to flush your squat toilet?






Classic Thai dancers at dinner ... Can you say, "Tourista!?" We loved it.






A duck curry & some delicious snapper with chili sauce, Mmmmmm!






Tuktuk!






Last night in Bangkok we went out for Shabu Shabu (which is actually Japanese) Thai style. We cooked it at the table. Fantastic!







Bye-bye view from our room on the 23rd floor!












Bye-bye actual gold plated temple with claws.







Bye-bye fun guide & Asian bees that have no stingers.





At 150 km/hr through the city & running red lights at 3:30am, we made it to the airport in 20 mins. (It took us 40 mins to get to the hotel from the airport on our way in at midnight.)