Trick or Treat

Halloween was a lot of fun this year. We had some great costumes thanks to my sister Janet and our friends at Old Navy. Although Ruby was leaning toward another princess costume, we reminded her of last year, when her entire Cinderella ensemble was covered by her beautiful winter coat. She was then easily persuaded to be a butterfly (pink of course). Janet made most of the pirate costume and loaned me the chicken for the second time. I know I'm biased, but my kids were the cutest out there.

Captain Jack Sparrow, Chicken Little, Beautiful Butterfly

Two cuddly kids

Ruby getting ready for take off

After a party and some trick or treating in our village the night before, on Halloween night we headed out to Geneva for our ward party at church. There was a delicious dinner followed by games, a costume parade and some more candy. After all of the festivities (and sugar overload) I felt like I needed a week to recover.

I love this adorable little chicken

Boo!

Ruby, Christina and Alex, all a little bit more grown up since the last time the three of us took a picture together on Halloween. However, I am wearing the same costume I did 4 years ago.

After dinner they had a parade of costumes to the tune of Michael Jackson's thriller.
Here are a hesitant Henry and confident Ruby walking the catwalk.

Alex takes his turn strutting his stuff

One of our favorite costumes of the night was Optimus Prime

Cinderella (Shirlee) helps Minnie Mouse (her daughter Maya) onto the stage

Alex and Henry

Alex enjoying the rest of the costume parade

Ruby and Emily

Ruby, Elsa and Sophie

Henry's friend Ansel was Wyatt from "Super Why"

Sarah and cowboy James

Ruby and Henry

President Obama and special Agent Christensen

The Berg family

The Hyatt family

Caroline and Spencer

You may remember from last year that different families decorate doors in the church for the kids to trick or treat at. This year since Pete offered to pass out the candy I had a chance to see them all. Everyone was so creative.

This was our door

This cute door by the Keddingtons was all wrapped up like a mummy

Dr. Pete passing out candy

Cinderella (Shirlee Keddington) was passing out my favorite-tootsie rolls-which cannot be found in Switzerland. The kids were fans of the skittles too.

Our amazing Bishop Mongillo and his wife Renee, who took a lot of these pictures

Towards the end of the night I couldn't find Alex and Ruby anywhere. I could tell it was time for bed when I found them pooped out lying on these tables.

Two cute pirates saying goodnight

Pumpkin carving

This year we actually managed to find a decent sized pumpkin. Unfortunately, it rotted before we had a chance to carve it so we reverted back to the little ones. Henry loved being included this year.

Getting started

Eeewww, yuck!

"It's not gross Ruby, it's fun!"

"Do I look like I'm having fun now?"

"I'm having fun Dad. Take my picture!"

Looks like Ruby needs a little help...stretch

The finished products

Stir, stir the chocolate

In order to enrich her Swiss experience, we decided to give Caroline lessons in chocolate fondue. The kids were more than willing to help and I have to admit that there's nothing quite as tasty as fresh fruit dipped in yummy Swiss chocolate.

Caroline, Alex, Henry and Ruby

Henry loves being able to have his own fork

Mmmmmm

Chocolate dipped bananas

Open wide!

Yummy

Give me Five

When we woke up our last day in Italy, it was still raining. Since we had driven so far and it wasn't pouring, we decided to go ahead with our plans to explore Cinque Terre. Cinque Terre is a portion of coast on the Italian Riviera made up of 5 towns. You can get to them by hiking or taking the train. Only the first two towns are really accessible by car. Although it wasn't exactly how we had imagined (there was no hiking involved), it was still fun. On a clear, sunny day the two towns we ended up visiting would look like this:

Manarola

Vernazza

It definitely wasn't clear and sunny but it was absolutely charming. I would love to come back and spend a week here hiking between all the villages and exploring every nook and cranny. Who knows? Maybe someday I will. We ended up driving from La Spezia to the second town of Manarola. We parked up above and walked down to the village. After purchasing our train tickets we headed down towards the water.

Henry, Christina and Alex with Manarola and the Med in the background

Ruby

Henry loved being able to run around in the rain and get wet

Christina, Caroline, Henry and Ruby with Manarola in the background

Pete and Alex down by the Mediterranean Sea. You can't tell from this picture...

...but they were a ways out there.

Ruby also decided to run down there for a picture. Unfortunately she and Alex weren't paying attention to the coming waves or Pete calling them and all three of them got soaked from the knees down. Whoops!

Christina and Pete

Alex waiting for the train to Vernazza

Alex telling some Australians we met how big the waves were. Notice his wet, rolled-up pants.

Walking through Vernazza

I thought this Coop (grocery store) was so cute

Alex and Henry thought it was really cool that the ocean came right up to this little bridge

Vernazza

Ruby-notice her wet, rolled-up pants

Christina and Pete

"The sea was angry that day my friends!"

Group shot

Heading up to make our train...can you see Henry running up ahead?