Halloween Fun

We had our annual Halloween Open House tonight and it was a blast. Mom and I tried to count and came up with 101 folks! We had all kinds of appetizers, chili, Grannie O sugar cookies (6 batches) donuts, etc. It is so much fun to see friends from church, family, old family friends, etc. The kids come in and grab snacks, etc and head to the basement - we have learned to have some Halloween DVDs playing. Tonight's surprise was that Colton and Kyle were scheduled to work and they went in and it wasn't busy so they got to come :) They came in through the garage door and surprised us all. Here are a few pics from the night - I have a horrible time with pictures. The pirate lady is my cousin Susan, Eric came as Dee Brown, Carla, Kyle and a little guy and Lisa and her nephew Jacob.

Halloween Tag - I'm It - Nancy

Since Alissa named me "The Queen of Halloween" I thought I better get my answers posted!

How much do you enjoy Halloween? I love Halloween. I am not into the scary, bloody, yuck but love the orange, purple, etc! Orange is my very favorite color so you can only imagine how much I adore this season. (I might add that the Illini colors are orange and blue and that we have a winning football team this year!)

Do you think Halloween is too commercial these days? It has become a big market but it depends how you approach it. I am still very traditional in my view of Halloween.

Do you miss the traditional costumes? I do miss the costumes that Mom and Dad made for their kids but understand that time is limited and the important thing is that Mom and Dad spend the evening with you. Carla and I used to have a blast making costumes for the kiddos.

Do you give out candy? You betcha and lots more!

What has been your favorite costume? Probably the year Mom made the three of us Indian costumes. Also, one year they ordered a paper dress made to look like the Yellow Pages and finished my costume to look like the phone book.

When you were growing up what was the weather like during trick or treating? Did you ever have to wear a heavy coat over your costume? Rainy and cold! There were times we had to wear a coat. The first year I lived in Chicago it snowed on Halloween.

What was your favorite candy as a kid to get? That would be a toss up between Reese's Peanut Butter cups and Butterfinger bars (think I like peanut butter :)

Do you think Halloween costumes today are too provocative for kids and teens? Yes. I am always surprised at what some children come dressed like. I am not a big fan of teens trick or treating. Coming dressed up to a party (like my house) or coming dressed to help little kids is awesome but once the big kids start coming to the door (especially those in no costume and a bag) I am done.


What are your Halloween plans this year since it falls on a Wednesday? Well . . . each year my folks and I host the Henley Halloweeen Open House. It has grown from some sugar cookies to a full blown party with chili, appetizers and sweets! Lots of friends, neighbors and family come by during the evening. We started when Colton was born so that other friends could gather and see each other's kids without running all over . . . .Colton is 18 years old now.

If you are out on Halloween feel free to stop by between 5:30 - 8:30 pm. That's where the fun it happening!

GSL Band Competition

Kyle's Chair Colton's Chair

Saturday Colton and Kyle compete in a band tournament (GSL) at the Edward Jones Dome. There are 48 bands in the competition. Tradition at SCW is that you "decorate" their chair on Thursday night for the final practice before GSL. Here are a few shots of what the room looked like. Carla and Nancy had made band scrapbooks as the boys special surprise. (Last week they won their competition!)

Other notes: Eric had his first basketball practice last night! Matt plays his first basketball game of the season tomorrow. Jake got his first college acceptance letter - it has been a good week!

Happy Birthday Marlin Sunday 10/21

Happy Birthday to Dad, Grandpa, and Marlin! Wishing you a spectacular birthday. You mean so much to so many. WE LOVE YOU! This darling picture was taken in 1941 and you were 5 years old . .do the math for this year's birthday!

King's Arm Tavern

We started this morning with a 9 am breakfast at King's Arm Tavern - it was a breakfast with characters from Revolutionary City (interactive presentation) it was kind of like a Disney character b'fast just a historical flair! We toured more of Williamsburg, shopped at Merchant's Square, went to College of William and Mary (2nd oldest college in US) and then ended the day with dinner at King's Arm Tavern. Mom wanted to eat there for the rice pudding! Saturday is going to be some Colonial Williamsburg and then we have a dinner reservation at Shields Tavern. We plan to leave her on Sunday and journey our way back home (don't know how long it will take as we have a couple of stops planned!)

SCW has a band competition on Saturday so we will be waiting to hear how that goes for Colton and Kyle. Matt has started basketball practice with the school team. Eric has signed up to play YMCA ball. Jake has been on a couple of college visits. As you can see the "boys" keep their parents hopping!

Jamestown to Yorktown

Today we did Jamestown (400th anniversary of John Smith and early settlers arriving in America) to Yorktown where 10.19 is the 226th anniversary of the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown and basically the end of the Revolutionary War. Aren't you glad for a history lesson? We ended the evening with a myths,legends and ghosts tour at Colonial Williamsburg - it was a rainy, drizzly night so that added to the mix.

I can't seem to drag and drop on the mac laptop like on my pc - the rainy pic is us leaving for tour - the water is where John Smith arrived (as close as they can pinpoint) and the house is the Moore house where the treaty between George Washington and Cornwallis was negotiated.

Colonial Williamsburg

We spent all dayn today at Colonial Wiliamsburg. I must say it is much different than when I was there at 12! We started the morning at the Governor's Palace, took in a Patrick Henry presentation, toured several more bldgs, lunch in the garden of Chowning's tavern. Mother wanted to go on a carriage ride . . .so we went on a carriage ride. JD, Lori and myself did this when we were here in 1973. I am going to get out the old home movies and photos when we get home!

No idea why the photo is there twice - sorry. Nancy

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

Amazing design and build work - a bridge that spans 17.6 miles and takes you under the water twice through tunnels. It links the eastern shore of VA with the mainland. The bridge eliminates a 95 mile inland drive to get from the Maryland area to VA. I didn't know we were only 60 miles from the Maryland border when we got on the bridge/tunnel. It is a toll road and it is $12 one way and if you come back within 24 hours another $5. You can get out at a scenic look and take a picture of where you are going. Then it was on to Colonial W'burg. We got tickets, saw the film about the making of a Patriot. We went to the Marketplace for dinner and are ready for a big day tomorrow, I love American History.

PS - Happy Birthday to Aunt Joyce today!

Cape Henry and VA Beach

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It was beautiful sunny and 75 here today in VA Beach. We started the morning at Cape Henry at Fort Story. It is the place where the first explorers came to the Americas in 1607. There is a lighthouse there. It is 75 steep steps up to the light house and then you can climb up in the light house. Dad decided to climb the additional 116 steps in the lighthouse. At the top he had to go up a ladder - we were content to let him do that! Then it was off to the beach for the rest of the day. Too cool to get in the water but not too cool to soak up the sun, read, and enjoy the sound of the surf. It was amazing to watch about 20 dolphins jumping and playing in the water - I watched them for 20 minutes. This is a very different beach area than my favorite SC beach but I enjoyed the day. I love the Atlantic Ocean! The last three years I have been from Cape Cod to Charleston, SC.

Lexington, VA - Nancy/Marlin/Carolyn

We are in Virginia Beach now. We didn't spend time on the beach yet but we are primed and ready for tomorrow. Today we spent time in Lexington, VA. We went to VMI and also Washington and Lee University. We went to Lee Chapel where General Robert E. Lee is buried. The office had Grandpa's favorite quote for the grandsons, "I have but one rule, that every student act as a gentleman". Ask any of the 5 boys what Lee said and they will say "Act like a gentleman"!

Monticello Visit - Nancy

This past weekend I made a quick trip up to visit with the Kruse's. I had a wonderful visit. Jake was busy as he had to work Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening, He works at Monical's Pizza. Matt and Rod went to the Illini game on Saturday (the Illini won - they beat Wisconsin) Lori and I spent Saturday shopping and goofing off - we had a wonderful visit.

This is a picture of Jake and Matt. I can't say either of them were thrilled at my request to take a picture but they did humor Aunt Nancy!

Oh so Cute! - Nancy

I had so much fun on September 28-30th as Lexi and Gracie came to spend the weekend. Aren't they precious? We went to see their "band cousins" at a football game, played at the park, they went to see Aunt Alissa and family, spent two nights and then went to church together. They are adorable and since they boys weren't much for bows in their hair it is fun to have the girls. They both have delightful personalities and oh how they say and do things that remind me of their mother, Angie!

And the Winner is - SCW Marching Warriors

CONGRATULATIONS TO COLTON AND KYLE and the St. Charles West Marching Warriors. They were in a Marching Band Competition on Saturday. Their band won 1st place for Color Guard, 1st place for drum line and 1st place OVERALL for their division! (The bands are placed in divisions based on the number of students in your band). You guys rock! If you want to see them march come out to SCW this Friday night at 7 pm. The band gets things going around 6:40 pm. JD caputred the band's reaction and cheers as they hear the announcement that they are winners! We are so proud of you!

Happy Anniversary JD & Carla 10-4-1986

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JD AND CARLA!

These pictures were taken on their wedding day at the Maryland Heights Church of Christ. Wishing them many more years of together happiness!

We Love You!