More Halloween Fun

We were pros at getting the costume on for the third time in a row!

Before you get sick of all the Halloween photos let me explain--the Trunk or Treat was first, then the party hosted by the apartment complex, and finally Halloween. And I think Brad and David are pretty photogenic too. What can you do? We went to the party for the free dinner of course! Who wouldn't want to eat good sandwiches made by someone else? The people that work in the office liked seeing David all dressed up. They've gotten to know him a little bit.

Notice me all bundled up. It is COLD. Colder than Utah even. A bone chilling wet sort of cold that apparently I have not even seen the worst of.

This is actual Halloween night.

Checking out the loot. Minus one tiny bite of chocolate we didn't let him eat it, he just played with it. Brad liked taking David around and meeting some of the neighbors. This is the first year we've gotten trick-or-treaters so that was fun too. Some older kids came around and told me how beautiful my front room was. I laughed and let them know it normally isn't as spotless as it looked.

Book Club, Decorating & Haircut

We had to get our home teacher to help us hang the mirror. Thanks Ryan!

I hosted my monthly book club meeting on Tuesday night and I think it was a success. Minus having too few chairs I think the discussion was good and the women enjoyed themselves. It was a great excuse to FINALLY decorate the living room. A friend of mine did the food and it was fabulous--tasted great and was presented so nicely! I don't know if I would have been functional enough to bake and have my kitchen clean so I was doubly glad. Thanks to Brad for coming home early to help and also getting everything hung up for me.

I am in love with the clock! I'm still looking for odds and ends; a bookshelf, baskets, artwork, frames. I can't find black baskets that fit the TV stand. Argh!

We have the best view from our kitchen window. The fall colors peaked a few weeks ago.

Notice the piano we bought for $200 on Craigslist...don't ever ask the bishop to help you move the piano (he may give you a piano calling!)

Since I have my hair done about every eight or nine months weather it needs it or not (note the sarcasm) I went to a stylist that my visiting teachee recommended. It is shorter than it has ever been. I'd like it if I could figure out how to style it on my own. This one is for you Meghan.

Trunk or Treat

Since David can't walk much and Brad won't be home from school too early on October 31st the ward trunk or treat was the biggest Halloween event of the season. I opted to buy David's costume instead of sewing something great which did make me feel like a wee bit of a failure. All of my Halloween memories are associated with my Mom creating the most fabulous costumes for my sister and I. (*SIGH* Sorry Mom, maybe next year...) But David's pumpkin outfit was just darling and he had more fun than I thought he would.

Brad took David around to a few trunks. David LOVED getting pieces of candy from others and he liked looking into his bag and taking things out of there. He tried to put most of it in his mouth wrapper and all. He must know where the good stuff is.

The biggest hit was a bag of Doritos that he kept shaking and shaking. We'll probably have to throw those away...darn.

The pumpkin top beret was the best part of the ensemble (sorry you can't see the green handle but trust me it was cute) of course he took it off but you get the idea. Brad and I were predictable and spent yet another year as a cowgirl/cowboy couple. We'll have to branch out next year.

Little Devil

We were shopping for a few additions to Brad's costume when David decided he REALLY liked the pitchfork we were looking at. We would have let him go as a devil this year but I already had a costume all picked out. We we entertained by how much he liked the pitchfork and couldn't help adding the little horns for an impromptu photo op. Heh, heh, heh.

Chowderfest in Ipswitch, MA

Brad's first taste

Some of our dental school friends got lost on a recent weekend trip of theirs and found the sign for the Ipswitch Chowderfest. The Calls and the Keyes invited us so we went. It seemed like a New England sort of thing to do. Brad was excited for the Chowder and the fact that we got to go to a place called Ipswitch. I was just happy that it wasn't too cold or crowded.

I liked the creamy clam chowders best, they are certainly more "clammy" here in the East

And, yes, incase you didn't know that is a pregnant belly NOT just fat. It is another little boy due 03.01.08.

It might not look like it but David really liked the chowder too!

But he had the most fun with the free balloon. Ballons have been a favorite for David since we can remember.

After seeing they Keyes four year old Aiden get his face painted Brad thought that David needed a baseball on his face too. I didn't think it was the brightest idea...David ended up smearing it and wiggling too much. Maybe next time Dad.

The men found the places that would give you more than one sample and kept leaving their wives and kids to go eat more; I think Brad, Derrick, and John got their money's worth and some. What can you expect? I think we all ended up voting for a different chowder. It was a fun way to spend the afternoon. David did a great job during the festival and we all left happy and full. We drove around the area for a little while afterward and took in the old but beautiful (and probably very expensive) homes.

Our Week With Friends

David enjoying our walk

My friend Sarah and her baby Julia came to visit this week. Her husband had a really bad med school rotation at OSU so she just decided to come here and see David and I since Ben wouldn't be around too much.

I can only take so many pictures of myself and David so you get to enjoy photos from the temple. Getting to and from the airport in Providence, RI took nearly all of Monday. We were glad when the two babies stopped bothering each other and fell asleep in the back. On Tuesday we dragged everyone to a Dr's appointment and later went back to the Old North Bridge. We enjoyed a little historical presentation.

Sarah and Julia

On Wednesday we met up with Sarah's sister-in-law who lives in Cambridge. We had lunch at the Olive Garden. David ate and flirted with the women eating lunch near us and Julia slept. Not too bad! We spent the rest of the day running errands and window shopping; we were gone for quite awhile and surprised at how well the little ones cooperated.

I only stand by myself accidentally; the rest of the time I have to hold on

On Thursday we took the "T" into Boston and Sarah got the abbreviated Freedom Trial tour from David and I. We were a little disappointed that Fanuiel Hall was closed and we couldn't go on the more formal tour that we had originally planned. But Sarah and Julia seemed to enjoy just taking in the city. Brad came home early and we all went out to dinner.

Getting ready to leave

On Friday we walked around the temple grounds and did a little more window shopping. Who doesn't love just looking at Target!? On Saturday we squeezed three adults and two babies into our Corolla and took Sarah to the airport. Brad, David and I enjoyed an afternoon in Providence. (I think it is much nicer than Boston.) Phew, it was a busy week.

I REALLY Like Trucks

Boys and their trucks...they just get nicer and more expensive as they grow up right? I snapped this shot of David while we were waiting for an appointment. The bruised and fat lower lip is a result of playing with Dad outside. I still don't get how David did it but Brad felt really bad.

Confrence & Old North Bridge

We took a quick trip to the Old North Bridge in Concord between sessions of conference today. The little out was a nice way to take a break. We were glad that we had internet service and could watch conference at home but it was a little weird to watch it two or three hours late. (At least it seemed that way to us.) I have to give the obligatory mention of omelets--we kept up the Cammack family tradition--Brad sure makes tasty ones too.

Remember US History and the battles of Lexington and Concord?

This isn't the most perfect picture but I really loved the colors...

In the NAVY!

Swearing in; it's official now!

The Family

Shaking hands with the recruiter

Brad and Derrick--two of the very few married BU dental students
I'm entertained by the fact that Brad looks short in this picture!

Today was an exciting for Brad. He was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy. We won't bore you with all the details but this is something we've been waiting for since April. David and I picked Brad up from school and we headed to the main armed services building in Boston. Brad signed away four years of his life in exchange for free tuition and some wonderful benefits while he's in school. David enjoyed being the center of attention at the recruting office; he got lots of free Navy toys. Everyone was so accomodating, I liked being somewhere and not worrying too much about what David was getting into while Brad did a bunch of paper work.

Brad was sworn in and then waited for his classmate Derrick to do the same. You'll have to ask us what being a dental officer in the Navy is like in four years when Brad gets his first assignment. For now we'll just enjoy the benefits that are supposed to kick in sometime next month. Government red tape I guess. Congrats Brad for being approved and commissioned, I'm proud of you.