Block Head!

Today was our company Halloween contest. Historically our department does very well in this competition and we didn't want to disappoint this year.

After some debate we settled on an idea I had about making us look like block heads. We'd use cardboard boxes as heads. It kinda works well since our department does all the packaging for product.

I started drawing everyone in the department as a caricature and when each one was done we made the block head. We finished them up a day early.

Well, we won the Foxoboro office competition. Woo-Hoo! $50 divided by 12! Maybe a round of drinks. Let's hope we win the North American office competition and earn $100 for a few more rounds.

Brown's Annual Trick or Treat

Brown does this fabulous event every year for parents that have kids. They invite them to come in starting at 4:00 to trick or treat 3 floors of cubicle's.

Elle's first time doing this was J's first day there in 2007. This year J invited me to bring Elle so I could have a little fun too. I was so impressed with how many people participated and how cool some cube's were decorated! It's kinda like a Halloween dress rehearsal since it's a few days before Oct. 31st.

What fun. Elle had a blast and I think J enjoyed showing off Ellie to her co-workers. Mommy's handy work is getting rave reviews from Ellie's hand made costume! It's looks awesome!

Despite the rules of Halloween and trick or treating. We watched as Ellie would not take anything unless she was invited or offered. She would stand next to a bowl of goodies and unless the treater offered them she would wait patiently waiting for an invitation to partake.

Ellorie is Sleeping Beauty this year and as with any royalty she got a few bows. She had a blast! We all did.

The Rune Oracle Letter Box

We enjoyed another wonderful letter boxing adventure today. Not far from the house is the Snake Den conservation in Johnston. The Rune Oracle letter box is hidden along the trail.

It was a rocky and hilly path with forks and turns. We followed the directions and came to a large rock formation. We needed to find a tree with 3 trunks among the rock wall. Climb up to it and go pass it. There you will see what appears to be a rock room. Do Not enter but look below and you will find the Rune Oracle. Sure enough it was there.

I climbed about 2 or 3 stories up. Along this rock wall was many "rock rooms" that were pretty cool. Seemed like a bat haven to me. I snatched the box and climbed down so J & Ellie can mark our family book and to mark the Rune's journal with our stamp.

It was a beautiful hike at what seems to be peak foliage in our area. I think we're going to hike there more and maybe even hide our own Letter Box there. The Zeus on the Loose letter box or the cursed Ruby Rhino.

Rhode Island Corcorama Clam Chowder

4 Cups chopped clams
4 cups clam broth
2 cups of water
Quarter of an onion (finely chopped onion)
4 tablespoons butter
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of black pepper
4 potatoes, peeled and cut

Happy Birthday Elle!

We celebrated Ellie's 4rth birthday at Chepachet Farms in Chepachet, RI. The weather was a bit wet but that didn't stop us from having a blast!

Ellie's friends from school, cousins and family all came to celebrate farm style. Each kid (and some adults) got a cowboy/girl hat. Before lunch we saddled up for a hay ride. A 30 minute ride into the woods to see more horses and a few ponds. The parents had more fun than the kids I think.

When we returned we had lunch and games. The kids were so well behaved and really enjoyed seeing each other outside of school. After everyone won a prize we headed out again to the petting zoo.

Another run around the sun for Ellie! YEE-HAW!