Halloween and Apple Picking in Bipenggou

When we returned from our mountain adventure - we were told that the kids could go to a pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin so away we went. Turns out, this is not a typical pumpkin patch (more like a random spot on the side of the road that turned out to be slightly dangerous), but the kids had fun nonetheless. 

Excited kiddos!

We ended up having to cut our trip to the pumpkin patch short because Emma got a cut on her head that was bleeding pretty badly so we hurried back to get it cleaned up and make sure she was ok.

After all of that and some serious snuggles, there was a very nice teenager who offered to carve all the pumpkins for the kiddos. He was so thoughtful asking them what kind of eyes, nose and mouth they wanted.

He even gave them hair!

All the other kiddos made it back with their pumpkins.

It was such a sweet and kind gesture and such a nice young man to help all of those kiddos.

These girls were pretty thrilled with the results.

And then it was time to get dressed in their Halloween costumes.

We got some washable marker tattoos as you do ;).

A bunch of the little kids!

One of the moms brought some Halloween crafts for the kids to work on and we basically took over the lobby.

The drivers built a bonfire that was awesome!

Emma and her bestie.

Her other bestie.

Whew, we stayed up late that night. But in true traveling with kiddo style, they were up bright and early that next morning - we took our time leaving and left the hotel about 9:30 or 10 to head to go apple picking in a town that was about halfway between Bipenggou and our home.

The apples were delicious - we ended up taking an entire box home with us.

Found the most beautiful golden tree on the side of the mountain.

Three cute kids :).

And then we made our way home - such a fun weekend!

Thankful

Did I just write a post that Halloween is one of my favorite holidays? Well, Thanksgiving is also one of my favorite holidays. What can I say - all holidays are really my favorite (and worth celebrating!) We can't wait to celebrate with both of our families next year, but in the meantime we try to make the most of our experience here. To remind our girls what Thanksgiving is really about, Wes whipped up this Turkey Day drawing that they colored in and then wrote what they are thankful for. 

And the finished product!

And just in case you can't read the list, here are some of the things we are thankful for:
... God
... Nonni and Papa George
... Emma, Everly, Mommy and Daddy (or as Emma wrote - Wesley and Lauren :))
... Brandon, Blake, Brent
... Grandma, Grandpa
... Bailey and Jubal
... Disney
... the color purple and pink
... ice cream, strawberries, brownies
... trips to thailand
... adventures with our family
... baking cinnamon rolls
... candles
... cousins/aunts/uncles
... Simi, Annabelle and Jein
... mountain road trips
... date nights
... daddy staying home with the girls
... home cooked meals
... celebrating holidays
... stuffed animals
... elephants
... hatchimals
... swimming at the beach/in the swimming pool
... the letters E/e, V/v, R/r, L/l, Y/y (I will let you guess who came up with that)
... Bobbob
... turkey
... snuggles
... candy
... snow/ice

And so much more. We hope you have a great Thanksgiving spent with those you love!!

Halloween!

Halloween is one of my most favorite holidays - there is no fuss, just order some costumes (I have given up trying to pick out what I think is cute and just letting them choose), a pumpkin patch (if you can find one in China) and a lot of candy which means my kids think it is the best holiday (outside of Christmas). Here is a little look at what we were up to!

Wes made the kiddos Halloween snack bags! He still draws on their snack bags every.single.day.

Dressed and ready to go! In case you can't tell, they chose to be witches (Wes made the brooms).

I asked them to open their eyes wide - ha!

They were so excited, Emma was literally skipping to the bus stop.

At the bus stop cheesing it up!

Everly had been counting down to Halloween for 23 days - she was so pumped the day was finally here!

The weather was sooooo good this particular Halloween (last year we got rain and cold).

Jumping for joy!

And away they go!

Wes and I went a little early (prior to the parade) to help with Emma's class party.

She went to station 1 first where she listened to a book.

Then, she made apple teeth? at her next station.

Before, she finally joined us at our station. The kids rolled a dice and they had to match the corresponding number on the dice with the type of eyes/nose/mouth they drew.

Finished product!

I spy Everly walking towards the parade ;).

Emma and her besties.

Emma was just a little bit excited to see us when she was parading around.

While Ev's was more of a reserved excited.

After school, they rode the bus home with their friends and we joined them for a Halloween party. There was a bounce house, cooking/mask decorating and more...

And these awesome boxes where they could touch brains and guts.

We wrapped up the party with a fashion show. Emma went first.

Then, Ev's went with this cute group of kids.

And then Wes put on his costume and went with the girls! He's the best!!

Then, it was time for trick or treating hotel style! We got a list of participating rooms and made our way around by elevators and stairs - the kids had the best time!

Such a fun night!! We wrapped up Halloween with a very late taco run before heading home!