Not a great picture, but, what can you do? I wonder who is in the van behind him? KGB?
I hope he did a better job with the nesting dolls assignment.
Do svidaniya
There are differing opinions regarding the history of Trick-or-Treating. Maybe they are all true. Some sources tell of a huge feast on the night of "Samhain." The party planning committee would go around from house to house asking for donations of food or money to help with the festivities. I guess this was before "pot luck."
Why do we carve pumpkins? Well, I actually did a little research and found that it is an old Celtic tradition centered around the day of "Samhain" (pronounced: sow wan) Other cultures call it the day of the dead. But, the premise is basically the same. It was believed that the veil between the dead and living was thinnest on this night.
Radishes, potatoes or gourds were carved and burning coals-later replaced by candles-were placed inside to ward off evil spirits who were roaming about. It also served the practical purpose of a light for the front porch when visitors came by; Because it wasn't just evil spirits who were traveling between realms, but also loved ones. So, the night was celebrated as a sort of "Memorial Day" for honoring ancestors with the unfortunate side effect of the malevolent ghosts causing havoc and frightening the good citizens. As these traditions were carried to the Americas, they found pumpkins bigger and easier to hollow out and carve.
Why are they called Jack-o-Lanterns? Has anyone ever heard the story of "Stingy Jack?" Well, then, I will tell you. Jack was a horrible, selfish, cruel person. He tricked the devil into climbing a tree and placed crosses all around the bottom of the tree. The devil was trapped. In exchange for his freedom, Jack made the devil promise not to take his soul to Hell when he died. The devil agreed. However, when Stingy Jack died, his soul wasn't allowed into Heaven because of what a terrible life he had led. He tried to get into Hell, but the devil kept his promise and Jack is now forced to wander the earth with no resting place. He carries a carved turnip and an ember that the devil tossed to him when he complained of no light. He is "Jack-of-the-Lantern."
How do our pumpkins look? Will they work? Are they enough to keep away the evil spirits and Jack-o'-Lantern this year? I hope so. Maybe they will even keep away Trick-or-Treaters! We'll see....
Joey was kicking Ben, Andrew was crying and James was just embarassed. I couldn't stop laughing. I guess this typifies our family. It's a pretty good picture to represent what we are really like. I'll have to post some more pictures. She did some AWESOME ones where we are less like a colony of dorks. Stay tuned, you may see some of them in upcoming posts.
I always knew someday you'd come walking back through my door--
1. To get to the other side?
It's an exhibition down at the Leonardo that uses REAL HUMAN BODIES! I was a little worried that I would be squeamish or that it would be more "artsy" than educational. Not the case! It was presented so well. 
And it is unbelievable. I was just amazed the whole time by how incredible my body is. Not in the same way that Cindy Crawford's body is incredible... More like until I actually saw all of the organs, nerves, blood vessels, arteries, muscles, bones, etc. and how they work together and how amazing they are, I really took it all for granted. Well, not anymore, my friend. I've always been pretty good about making sure we eat healthy, but now, exercise is going to be playing a more prominent role in the Moore family. 
James, Ben and I are posing in the rain and appreciating our amazing bodies. That's right. You, too have a beautiful and amazing body, so take care of it! 
Obedience School adheres to the same theory as Utah public school as far as moving you up to the next level whether you have mastered this one or not. But, as long as she can sit and go in her house and stop scratching the back door, we are happy. 
But, the problem is, he really did want it, but he is a proud (and stubborn) boy. How could he swallow his pride and accept the offered banana bread without looking like he was giving in?
This was his ingenious solution. When he thought Frank and I had forgotten about it, he sat and ate with his eyes closed. That way, we couldn't see him. He managed to eat his banana bread and still maintain his cool. We just kept talking and pretended we didn't notice, but we were trying pretty hard not to laugh.
