October Snow

Sophie loves the blanket Nanny made.  She loves to wrap herself  up and go "night night"

Hi funny face!

A little Halloween left over.

Mommy's little helper!
She especially like it when there are big sharp knives in the dishwasher.  Last week we turned around for a second, and she was there holding a steak knife she pulled out of the dishwasher.

You all know we had a major snow storm last week.  For a change we had our power, but all our family in CT lost power for days.  What a mess.  We made the best of it. David and Noah built Larry the Snowman.  Sophie watched from her warm window, but wanted so much to go play in the snow.

Can you see Larry?  Can you find Noah? (It's like playing where's Waldo?)

Finishing touches.  Good job Noah.

And a little video record of building Larry; what do you think Sophie?

Halloween: The real deal

Sophie had a number of costumes this year.  This was her favorite.  Minnie Mouse!  Though she wasn't wild about keeping the ears on.

Good thing there is a Jedi night to protect her.

You've got ears? Say Cheers!

Ah ha!  Jedi Noah spots Darth Vader eating dinner right next to us.  May the force be with you; don't go over to the dark side of broccoli and other vegetables!

This was for his halloween parade at school.  Indiana Jones, who else?

And Sophie had a Halloween party at Gymboree.  She is super friendly.

And loves the music.

Look out...here I come!!!

And finally, Trick or Treat was here.  This is the only way to travel on Halloween night.  Here she is dressed as a little cupcake.   People were just tossing in candy bar after candy bar right into the wagon.

We hadn't seen Joseph in a while, but he too was a Jedi.

Sophie Cupcake with Kira and Molly.

And our Cupcake and Jedi Knight.

Noah and Kira looking for the next house.

Every year we end Halloween at Elda's house.  Long story but it's the best house to go to for treats!

Good night. And may the force be with you.

OK...so not so serious!  See you all soon.

More Halloween Fun, 2011

There was so much Halloween fun this year. FIrst Noah and Sophe went to Scarlett's birdhay party. The theme was "The Wizard of Oz". Check out these costumes.

"Pay no attention to that Man behind the curtain!!" Here is our wizard, behind his curtain.

The next party was a special Haunted Museum night at the Children's Please Touch Museum.  Check out David's custumre--especially clever.  He even wore it too work.  What an adorable little Minnie Mouse.

Our Jedi is using his powers to keep us all safe.

He's keeping Minnie Mouse safe on the carousel as well.

This is still early in the Halloween season.  We went to 5 different Halloween events.  Stayed tuned for more fun tricks and treats.

"Generation 5 Pickles"

It is a family tradition: at the end of the summer it was time to make pickles.  Noah had a "Harvest Fair" at his school where all the kids were asked to bring in something they grew or made.  Noah decided he would become the 5th generation family pickle maker.  It started we think with his great great grandparents Mindy and David Zinkerman.  Then his great grandparents (or at least Uncle Albert?), then Nanny taught David, who taught Kathy, and now Noah.  We even gave them a name: Generation 5 Pickles.  Want to see pickles made?

Just getting started.  This is mean business!

Get the cucumbers ready

Light sabers?  Race cars?

Peal the garlic.  Stinky!!

Cucumbers in the jar.

Secret spice.  Very serious work.

Thanks for helping mom.

Fresh dill.

Fill 'em up.

Close em up.

Admire your work.

Pretty proud

Can't wait to try one.

Noah named his pickle brand "Generation 5" pickles.  Mommy made labels for the jars, and they were a hit on the holidays, at school and at home.  Put your orders in early next year.  $14.95 a jar.

The front label says:
"GENERATION 5 PICKLES:
Packed full of history
FIlled with secret ingredients
Bottled with Love"

And the back label says:
"These pickles are a family recipe that started with my Nanny's grandparents.  My Nanny and my Daddy have been making them every fall for many years.  This year it is my turn.
With my daddy's help, I learned the secret ingredients and did every step myself.  This year's batch was handmade by my daddy and me.  I am 5 years old and a 5th generation pickle maker.  That is where I came up with the name.  -Noah Porter, Pickle Maker."