Who do I want to be?

Halloween is coming up and I've been trying to figure out costumes. Yeah, I know what you're probably thinking. 

"You're 23 and still dressing up?? Why? Are you even doing anything on halloween or just sitting at home in your elaborately planned costume with no where to go like so many halloweens past?" 

Well you bring up a good point but I will in fact be doing something this halloween, other than waiting by the door with a bowl of half eaten candy... so don't worry, its totally cool to be planning a costume. 

Besides, I love halloween. For as long as I can remember I've looked forward to the one day each year that I can dress up and be someone else for a change.

As you can see this affinity for costumes began at an early age, as with most American children.

I was the pumpkin...

The cowgirl...

The sheep...

The...Alex Mack? That was not my best costume idea ever.

But I guess I never really grew out of it. It's just fun, whether I'm doing my thumb dance or casting a spell as fictional Hogwarts student Cho Chang 

   

Or skating around as a bunch of grapes...

Or dressed up as a dalmatian pretending to be ten years younger so I could trick or treat with my brother...

Or...whatever I'm doing there..

Or my personal favorite...

Do you get who I am? Here, maybe this will help....

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Obviously I have a long legacy of halloweens to live up to. Which brings me to my current question. What should I be this year?

So far I've considered, a spartan cheerleader (w/ Brady), ketchup, the crazy cat lady, sarah palin, a teenage mutant ninja turtle, and a penguin. Just to name a few.

In an effort to create a 'couples costume' I tried to convince Brady to be a penguin wrangler but he insists that no such occupation exists. So his costume is still very open to suggestions.

Maybe an adorable non-threatening ninja?

I know They can dance

So my favorite summer show is definitely So You Think You Can Dance and at the end of the season all the top dancers go on tour around the country for our viewing pleasure. So last year my mom and I went to the show at the Arco Arena and liked it so much that we decided to go again. 

Last year was awesome but this time was even better. It was like two or three hours of solid entertainment. I was sad when it came to an end.

Chelsie from Orem, Ut was my favorite girl this season.

Here are just a couple of the amazing dances we saw. Sorry they end kind of abruptly and don't look great since they were shot on my camera.

Apple Hill 2008

Last week I participated in my second year of a grand new tradition since relocating to Rocklin.  What is known simply as "Apple Hill", is a cluster of farms near Placerville, CA that specialize in apples (obviously) as well as various other fruits and produce. 

"Here at the Hill there are happy apple people to welcome you at every turn."

We usually start out at the biggest venue, High Hill Ranch. Here they not only sell apples but also a variety of scrumptious homemade apple products. Their fresh apple juice will make you wonder what that yellow Motts stuff you bought at the grocery store was made from. There's also apple doughnuts, apple fritters, apple butter, apple jelly, apple pencils, apple sauce, apple pie, apple beer, apple fish. No, I'm just kidding, there's no apple fish. But there is a fish pond (as depicted below).

Brett was interested in their variety of honey sticks at the apple market.

Another must, if you ever partake in these fall festivities is the Fudge Factory. Here's the crew and me with my steaming fresh bag of  fudge.

Here at the quaint farm, Larsen Apples, my mom displays yet another variety of delicious apple hill products, fresh grapes.

Some farms even let you experience the joys of apple farming by picking the fruit fresh from the trees.

Mom knew just which apple to pick.

I think this kind of sampling is generally discouraged.

And finally if you go to Apple Hill you must visit the Plubells Petting Farm, where overzealous goats will rip the feeding cup right out of your hand and eat it.

They even have chickens.

And cute pigs that may charge at you if you take your picture near their pen. 

I was pretty sure that if I didn't move quickly they would put their little snouts through the wire to bite my arm.

Aren't they cute?

See you next year Apple Hill!

Tagged??

Tagged by Mindy

A. Attached or Single? Attached
B. Best Friend? Braiden
C. Cake or Pie? Both..
D. Day of choice? Friday, when the weekend is still full of possibilities.
E. Essential Item? Brush, chapstick
F. Favorite Color? Purple
G. Gummy Bears or Worms? Sour worms
H. Hometown? Pleasanton/Rocklin, CA
I. Indulgence? Twizzlers
J. January or July? January, I love winter
K. Kids? nope
L. Life is not complete without? Music
M. Marriage Date? June 29th, 2007.
N. Number of brothers & sisters? 3 brothers
O. Oranges or Apples? Apples
P. Phobias? Sharks!!!! don't get me started.
Q. Quotes? "who let the dogs out?"
R. Reasons to Smile? Baby animals/humans
S. Season of Choice? I love autumn because of the anticipation of winter, pulling out sweatshirts & finding money in the pockets, leaves, pumpkins, and turning on the heater for the first time. On the other hand there's winter, with it's rainy days, and snowboardings, warm fireplaces, and holidays.
T. Tag some Peeps! MELISSA!
U. Unknown Fact about Me? I had a political career in the early/mid 90's but it ended abruptly when apparently no one wanted to "cash in with ashlin" as Proctor Elementary school treasurer.
V. Vegetable? Carrots, i guess.
W. Worst Habits? Eating when bored.
X. X-Ray or Ultrasound? Both. Neither. Huh?
Y. Your Favorite Food? Homemade mac & cheese
Z. Zodiac Sign? ugh...