I feel like I should post something just because everyone else did. We went to our ward's trunk or treat/chili feed last night. I was reminded once again that you can never go wrong with chili served out of a cast iron dutch oven (it had bacon and strips of beef just like I hoped). We didn't get a single trick or treater last night because they were all at the church across the street. I don't know if any came tonight because we were gone all night. Kelly's sister made us dinner and even included some orange jello just for me. Kelly dressed up as a pirate for a school party on Friday (she borrowed the costume from a friend who just happened to have 6 costumes in the trunk of her car). Sorry, no pictures.

Don't forget to vote on Tuesday!

Happy Halloween!!

Kimbre and I made it home just in time for the barrage to start. I wasn't even done parking my patrol car (off the street to avoid random egg tosses) before the first trick-or-treaters started knocking. We burned through three bags yesterday when the member families came by (we signed up so they knew we'd be home) and we've worked our way through about four bags tonight. In true old man form I just got done giving the big kids a hard time for stopping by a second time for more free candy. We also had the official Zirker Halloween dinner meal of sloppy joes, Kraft cheese cut outs, orange jello w/cool-whip, chips and dip, and root beer.

Fall has really snuck up on us. The leaf raking and the sprinklers still need work. We bought our pumpkins a little late and had to visit three grocery stores before we found some at the Safeway. The selection was pretty slim but we picked a few winners. However, we failed to carve them in time for today. Hopefully they'll still look good on our front porch for the Thanksgiving harvest display which looks a lot like our current Halloween display.

Last week I drove up into the mountains above the metropolis of Athol, ID until I found some snow. I was about three miles up when I stopped to take this cell phone picture. Then, not wanting to be "That Guy" I turned back and made sure I wasn't the first snow casualty of the season.

Undies!!!

First there was a loop of parachute cord hanging from our metal banister. Then the boys got out their belts and whitey-tighties.

Wheee! (or weee!)

Raya posing in her dance class. All the girls in her class have the same wardrobe malfunction.

October Pictures

We visited the pumpkin patch out in Byers, CO again this year.

It was cold!

I thought the guys would like a picture of this. It launched a 15 pound pumpkin about 200 yards.

This turtle had "Irish Spring" tatooed on his shell.

Prior to our trunk-or-treat: Mad scientist, witch (wearing the her favorite pajamas from the day before), blue bat, moldy pumpkin.

Happy Halloween

So, while all the heathens are out trick-or-treating we're inside listening to church music and reading our scriptures... Actually Weston and Koper are on the porch screaming at the kids walking by, "We have candy!!!" Seth did some impromptu lighting and we're jammin' out to the Monster Mash. Weston and Koper have yet to ask why they aren't trick-or-treating. They're having a blast, it's fun to watch.
Happy Halloween!!!

Some Pics

" Indiana Jones"

"Queen Malia"

"Princess Katie"

"Princess Kori"

Ty went undefeated and won first place!

A visitor as I did sprinkler blowouts on Saturday.

Happy Halloween!

Brant

Recent Projects

Some of the animals that Lacey helped us sandblast
This one took some time

Template layout--Way too much hammering with a rubber mallet

Camp Joseph--Stake girls camp south of Pueblo

My assignment was to install all of the sheet metal--the ladder only fell twice.

I did it!!!!!!!

Yesterday I left the house at 5:00 am with a locksmith that I use for the church buildings. We went to Coeur d'Alene to gather all the information we need to re-key their stake center. We spent the whole time up and back talking about the Catholic and Mormon churches. I gave him about 5 1/2 of the old 6 discussions (we have talked a lot of church before). Almost everything I said he would respond with, "that makes sense". After telling him about the golden plates, Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith's first vision he said, "I'd like to read it". I nearly fainted. I particularly enjoyed discussing the apostasy, restoration, and modern-day revelation. He was very interested in all that too. When we got back to the house I gave him a Book of Mormon that I always carry in my work pickup. It was from a "Missionary Kit" our ward mission leader had us develop when I was serving in the married student ward. I'll have to e-mail and thank him. I really enjoyed the experience. We'll see what happens.

We just got home from church. Mom and I and the Berglunds each had to take 5-7 minutes in the 5th Sunday lesson and talk about how me made it to 37 years of marriage. It was a very uncomfortable situation but we made the best of it. Hopefully someone gained something they can use.

Wednesday I leave for Portland for a meeting on Thursday. I should be home by Thursday evening. It is one of those "feel good" meetings including several people from Salt Lake coming to "meet" us.

We had a huge chili feed at the church Friday night and they had a gazillion trunk-or-treaters. We look forward to the Gentiles trick-or-treating tonight.

Enjoy the fall colors and cooler temperatures. We have had a beautiful fall. It has started snowing in the mountains.

We love you all.