I think the Hershey natives love October. Of course, I agree with them wholeheartedly. I mean, all the best things happen in October. The leaves are fully changing into vibrant reds and oranges, pumpkin-pie-spiced concoctions pop up everywhere, riding around on a pile of hay suddenly becomes cool, and All Hallow's Eve is celebrated by dressing up like a crazy person and eating ridiculous amounts of sugar. Oh, and it's my birthday month. So like I said, best month of the year!
And Liv and I have fully taken advantage of this month! She has been a great friend to pal around with in all of the autumn glory. After our Harry Potter outing, Liv accompanied me to a local farm where, for a mere $5, we enjoyed a walk through a cornmaze, a hayride in the crisp morning air, a small cup of cider, and Liv got to pick out her very own pumpkin! One of the members in our ward organized this fun outing, so a whole herd of kids and moms were able to enjoy this together. I think pictures will do a better job of relating this experience than I can!
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| Arriving at Risser Farm. Liv was so happy to be running around outside! |
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| She even sat very nicely through an explanation of all the different kinds of pumpkins found on the farm. |
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| Walking through the cornmaze (which she actually didn't enjoy at all. I attribute it to uneven ground and feeling claustrophobic.) |
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| Picking out her very own pumpkin. |
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| It was just the perfect size! |
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| Playing in the corn box |
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| This was actually her favorite thing at the farm. She loved "riding" the tractor. When other kids wanted to get on, I would take her off and then she would just stand around touching the tractor until the kids were done. Immediately she wanted to get back on. :) |
The very next day we heard that Hershey puts on a parade for Halloween! I had never heard of that before, but boy were we excited. So we bundled up again and this time we convinced Chris to come with us. (He is a sucker for parades.) It was everything you think a parade should be. Shameless advertising by local companies and shameless begging for candy by local citizens. A win-win for everyone really. :) Only this time everyone is dressed up in their most elaborate Halloween costumes as they walk down the street. Even the high school marching band had impressive get-ups while playing spooky Halloween songs. I now think that every town should have a Halloween parade. They are so much more fun than 4th of July parades (sorry Independence Day), not to mention much cooler! I will take a bundled up autumn night over a scorching July morning any day! And here are the pictures! (Much worse quality because my phone can't take night shots.)
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| We got a pretty good spot right next to the road! It was at the end of the parade, but I don't mind that. Far fewer people! |
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| Our friend Kayla. That's right, Kayla, you couldn't escape all the pictures! |
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| Liv's friend, Sorren, dressed up like a giraffe. The Chen family definitely got into the right spirit for the Halloween parade with full costumes for every member of the family! |
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| Liv and all her loot after the parade. I'm sure mom and dad will steal a few pieces here and there. ;) |
And just for fun, here is a picture of Liv painting her perfect pumpkin. I think she has some true artistic ability. ;)
Now do you see what I mean? We love October!!
How fun!!! Yes, Halloween parades should be done everywhere! I have never heard of that but now I really want to see one!
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