Mistletoe and Holly

Since we're not having a Christmas tree this year I've been doing some holiday decorating with lights and ornaments in different ways. The ceiling garland is courtesy of Megan (she's in a bit of a garlandy mood this season.) Happy Holidays!

The First Thanksgiving

This was the first Thanksgiving we had in Moscow (and the first one I ever cooked from top to bottom.) Daniel's family came from Missoula and we had a good time watching the parade, catching up, and eating of course.

The kids all dressed up for dinner (even pepper put on some argyle.)

Vance and Miles in their new christmas socks.

Daniel and Paul eating appetizers.

Playing Thanksgiving bingo.

Paul and Miles.

A Missoula Halloween

Well, Moscow was far too exciting over Halloween weekend, so Paul and I decided we'd relax and take a trip to the huge metropolis of Missoula. It was so great to be able to see Daniel's family and spend some time relaxing with the kids.

Paul, Vance, and McKinley on the carousel.

Cherisse observing to make sure we all behaved ourselves.

Daniel and Miles.

Vance and McKinley.

Alison and McKinely

Paul and the boys in the book store.

Vance and Miles at lunch in the sandwich shop.

The sandwiches were great, but these two were better.

Paul and the kids in the old phone booths downtown. I half expected to see Audrey Hepburn step out of one of them!

Cute pumpkins! The melons are ok too.

Paul helped Miles carve his pumpkin. As he carved Miles kept saying "Paul, I approve."

We skipped the pumpkins and went straight for the sugar cookies...

By the end of two days we had so much fun that Vance was exhausted and decided to retreat to the bat cave for a nap. Funny thing was that when we got home Paul did the same thing... just kidding. Thanks to Daniel and Cherisse for letting us stay and for a fantastic time.

Murder Mystery!

A few weeks before Halloween some couples in the ward came over and, thanks to the creativity of Sara, we had a murder mystery dinner. Paul was dressed up as a foreign secret agent in the forties and I was a perfume heiress. It was really a great time. Below are some photos of the fantastic costumes.

Sara and Brandon

Lacey and Curt

Rebekah and Matthew

(Don't be fooled by her innocent look.

She is a murderer at heart.)

Alison and Paul

(I would like to thank my mom, Megan, and Staci

for all the great decorations and decoration ideas.)

Everyone eating dessert and solving the crime of the century!

Just Like Old Times

After five weeks Curt and Megan finally made their second pilgrimage to Moscow and Paul and I couldn't have been more excited about it! We got them some University of Idaho paraphernalia so they could be "vandalized" and set about playing games, watching movies, and laughing it up just like old times. If I closed my eyes I could pretend we were back in Logan and they would be just down the street forever.

You know it's old times when Curt and Paul just have to be in the picture.

Two BFFs and their new mascot Joe Vandal.

Curt and Paul downtown.

Megan and I at the farmer's market... eating of course.

Curt and Paul at the farmer's market before they headed off to the library!

Megan found the perfect Moscow souvenir, a plant (I think it was called campfire... or something.)

Megan and I decided to get crafty and painted my white table purple! It's the perfect fall color. This is it half way done.

The finished product... Ta Da!

Curt and Paul: Masters of the Grill!

Curt was really enjoying his ribs.

The Fab Four on movie night! We really thought Monday wouldn't come.

But come it did. Monday was too sad to post any pictures... they'll be back soon. We miss you guys.

Ambassadors to the Middle of Nowhere

Mom and Dad finally came as ambassadors to the tiny town of Moscow and brought back with them definitive proof that there is, indeed, absolutely nothing to do here.

Alison & Paul, Mom & Dad BEFORE eating at the local mexican restaurant. See how happy we were?... it didn't last. (I guess what can you expect from a mexican restaurant in a tiny town a few hours away from the Canadian border?)

All of us outside the administration building at the university. The university tour was the highlight of the tourist experience, believe it or not.

We spent a lot of time driving around looking for something that was open... Moscow is the kind of town everyone leaves on a holiday. Only mom and dad actually arrived there for Labor Day.

A couple of stores in the tiny mall were open so mom and I got a mini-shopping fix!

At the arboretum we had our most successful wildlife sighting yet. A baby rabbit.

Just thought these two snail shells made a cool picture. If only Vance and Miles had been there they could have taken home a great souvenir!

Nature photo!

More Nature...

A Paul in his natural environment... the University.

Mom and Dad by the pond.

Alison and Dad at the arboretum.

Alison and Mom on a bench at the arboretum.

If you look closely there is a tiny speck in the lawn behind mom... it's a baby rabbit.

At least the day ended on a good note! We finally found a satisfactory food establishment and had a very yummy dinner! Maybe there are some good things about Moscow after all. Thanks mom and dad!

Stay tuned for the next post when Curt and Megan come to confirm the findings of Mom and Dad's exploratory mission.