Our October In California

We were in California late October, and it was exactly what we needed. We planned a lot and did a ton. We had some time with Zach's parents in Saint George before our trip and got to see their great Halloween decorations. My MIL is so funny.. she had all the neighborhood kids over for some slurpees sometime before Halloween, but she also had them decorate her lawn. They put scarecrows everywhere. I mean everywhere, and she has a lot! It was fun to see, she has the sweetest neighbors that love to be in their home. We don't get much time with them, so we loved the visit! After dinner and half a movie we headed to bed.

Have you ever seen so many Scarecrows?! 

The next morning we visited with my cousin Cera and her kids. My dad showed up as well, and I drove him home that afternoon so he could get some sleep. But in the meantime Paisley put her Halloween costume on and showed us her best dance moves and told us what a fox says, and Grayson just let me hold him for the hour. They are so dang cute. Cera also made us huge cinnamon rolls, from scratch! YUM. She is the baker in the family and for that reason it is a good thing she lives so far away! She is great and I wish I could see her more often. We love you!

They were SO good!

Once we got to California we were surrounded by our family and close friends. Talk about a full house! We didn't have much time with them since we had reservations at the Pirate Adventure Show. That show was worth the drive and especially the time put into our costumes. Zach wanted to go ever since he saw it on our Medieval Times date. He said if we go that we have to dress up like pirates. So we did. Zach made his costume, and he was a proud pirate. It was so much fun as well! I got to participate in a competition, which we won. It was good food, a great show, and an excuse to act like a pirate. I love seeing my husband so happy and in his element of being a goofball.



HALLOWEEN!!
It came and went. Wowza. I am so glad we were able to be home for that night. Our neighbors all came over for our traditional Vincent's Spaghetti and to pass out candy later in the night. We all ate out front and had fires going, it was cozy and the weather was perfect, as usual. I love seeing all the kids dress up and this year we told them that they had to do the hopscotch in order to get candy. Sidenote--years ago my parents painted a hopscotch on the sidewalk because my mom had a daycare and kids were always over. That led to our home being the "Hopscotch House". It was pretty funny to see the kids hop along and then walk around our half circle of about 10 people with candy bowls. I was Zach's shadow and was told I looked funny from a little princess. Kids these days. Zach and I loved spending Halloween at home, there's no better way to do it.

We can't go to California without eating sushi with the gang. All you can eat as well, it's terrible. But that's the deal. There's nothing like eating good food and then driving around town with the windows down on a November afternoon. Rancho had great weather it was perfect to be outside. Once we got home we got ready for my grandparents anniversary party that was going to be the next morning. That was a lot of work, but they are worth it and then some! We stayed up late and woke up early. Thanks to all the help from my two buds Mark and Ian! They ran errands for us, us four cut ivy for the archway, Mark made us pumpkin rolls, and Ian was Ian. It was a good time.

This was the second one for the day..

On Saturday morning my whole family gathered at my grandparents house at 7am. We set up their archway that we had decorated the day before. It is a Danish tradition to set up this archway with the shield, painted gold for their 50th, and play the danish waltz for the married couple. So we did just that. Lauren backed her car in the driveway and opened the back up to blast the waltz. In fact we had to play it about five times before they actually came out! We all waited patiently laughing here and there wondering if they would hear the music. Once we saw them making their way towards the door we were all excited and full of congratulations and cheers. It was such a wonderful sight to see my grandparents, I love them so much.

 Once we all had our time to say hello and take a group picture we then got to setting up the party. My aunt Susie and uncle Allen live by a danish pastry bakery so they brought all the breakfast. They were delicious! We literally ate all day. Once we were done with breakfast we gave my grandparents their gift and then started making lunch. Also a very danish meal. We made open face sandwiches. Also notice those beautiful two dozen roses? Those were for my grandma from my grandpa. Gorgeous.



Cera did a beautiful job on her cake! It was just perfect. Gold decorations and all. My mom put together a marzipan cake shaped like a boat for my grandpa, they were both thrilled with their cakes! Grandma and Grandpa were married in Denmark and didn't have what we know as a traditional wedding. It was such a sweet sight to see them cut their cake and to celebrate with them so many years later.

Aren't they the cutest?! Afterwards my grandma showed off her new bling...she got a gold band with five diamonds in it that matches her wedding band. It's very pretty!

  

We are so thankful to have been home with our loved ones and to celebrate a beautiful fifty years of my grandparents marriage. They are beyond wonderful and are the best two people I know.

  

WE LOVE YOU!