Hirsche Family

We did something new for Halloween this year that Geddy has declared a New Hirsche Family Tradition. Unfortunately, I do not have any photos from the event. We went on a Haunted Cruise down the Provo River. We did not tell Geddy ahead of time what we were planning. He is kind of funny sometimes about new things, especially if he thinks it might be scary. He worries, and worries, and worries and doesn't want to go. So we thought it best just to tell him we were going on a Halloween Adventure. That was good enough for him as he loves Halloween. The Friday night before Halloween we drove to Provo and negotiated the detour to get where we needed to go. It was quite dark and pretty cold. There were quite a few people there but we only had to wait about fifteen minutes until our turn. Geddy panicked and decided it was time to go home when I put a life jacket on him. (All kids under 12 were required to wear them). We finally convinced him that it was just a precaution it didn't mean he was going to end up in any water. A group of about 30-40 people sat around a campfire and told lame Halloween jokes. Then our Ship Captain came and led us to the river barge. It was a very peaceful ride for the most part. The Captain pulled the barge along the river using a system of ropes, no motor. There were dozens of lit jack-o-lanterns lining the river and fun decorations everywhere. The captain played a song, told a ghost story/poem and tried to avoid the pirates - but they boarded our boat anyhow. Thankfully they were nice pirates and handed out candy instead of taking our valuables! The atmosphere was perfect for a Halloween event and Scott and I agreed with Geddy that it could become a new Hirsche Family Tradition. We might go back to the same place and try their Christmas River Cruise too. Apparently the lights along the river are amazing!

We started our Halloween Season by going to Cornbelly's at Thanksgiving Point. It had some fun stuff, but I was glad I had coupons to make it a little more reasonably priced. Geddy really enjoyed all the bouncy houses and slides.

Scott had fun on them too, but none of the pictures of him turned out very well.

Who knew Batman could ride a "horse" and rope a calf?

Playing on the hay-bale mountain.

Not quite The Batmobile!

At night, parts of Cornbelly's becomes "Haunted". This giant monster bouncy tunnel thing was not supposed to be spooky during the day. So we went in. It was pitch black and had occasional figures light up and startle you. I am sure it was much scarier at night, but Geddy was not prepared for it. He was brave though and we made it through. Though now he says it was the scariest thing he has ever done.

You're wearing the wrong costume Geddy!

His tough-guy face!

Serious business, waiting for Trick-or-Treat maze to start!

The next few are his Batman poses!

My favorite - have to show off that cape!

This is him pursuing a bad guy!

Cute profile!

The cutest Batman ever!

Scoping out Payson Main Street Trick-or-Treating!

If only it were black - he thought it was close enough to a Batmobile to get his picture with it.

We accidentally stumbled upon Spanish Fork's Main Street Trick-Or-Treating. They had really cool statues along the way. This one was by the Police/Fire/Ambulance Station and was promoting Blood Donation!

This was Geddy's favorite. Like his pose? He is pretending that the monster is after him!

Our Vampire Cat jack-o-lantern. Geddy and Scott designed, I carved.

Spanky wasn't very impressed.

Geddy in his Halloween parade at school. They weren't allowed to wear masks, so we tried black face paint.

Geddy and his friend Wylee. They were on the same soccer team last year (her dad was their coach). So they were pleasantly surprised to be in the same kindergarten class. They often play Batman and Batgirl at recess.

Geddy and Azalea. Another girl who humors him by playing Batman with him at recess.

Ready for our traditional Provo Center Street Trick-Or-Treat. Geddy loves going from business to business getting all sorts of goodies. His favorite part though is looking at everyone else's costumes. He made sure to say, "Hi, Batman!" to every similarly clad kid he saw.

A vampire Batman?!

And Mom got to dress up for work Halloween night. Not having extra money to pend on a costume I went with stuff we had at home. Meanwhile Scott was at home taking Geddy on a more traditional Trick-or-Treating jaunt around the neighborhood. That was Geddy's favorite part of Halloween. The trick-or-treat streets were fun and easy candy, but his joy in running up to each door and saying "TRICK-OR-TREAT!" was the best.

Geddy: "So Mom, how is it being an adult?" (He says ah-dult, not uh-dult)
Me: "Uh, just fine Geddy. Why are you asking that?"
Geddy: "I am just wondering, are you having a good life?"
Me: "Yes, Geddy. I have you and your dad in my life, that makes it a very good life".
Geddy: "Oh. Someday I will be an adult."
Me: Yes, you will, but just enjoy being a kid for now. I sometimes wish I could be a kid again, I kind of miss it."
Geddy: "I see what you are saying, Mom."
End of conversation. This conversation stands out to me as it in no way related to anything we had previously been talking about. Who knows what caused Geddy to think of this, but I love the randomness of it.

A little while ago I happened to find out that Tracy Aviary in Salt Lake City was having a day for Smith's employees and their families to get in free. I have always wanted to go there so we jumped at the chance. It was a very interesting place with a variety of birds. I took numerous photos of which a few are on here. Sorry if there is a lot, but I just included the ones most interesting to us. I am terrible at remembering all of the names though so only included the ones I know. And don't worry, there are pictures of Geddy scattered throughout.

Geddy thought the pigeons were pretty cool because they came right to his feet expecting to be fed.

The Bald Eagle was trying to hide.

Check out the eyelashes on this one.

The pictures are out of order. He actually found this playground first and was quite reluctant to leave it.

Okay, back to the bird with fake eyelashes.

Flamingos.

Pelican.

One of the many peacocks wandering around.

Ibis

The owl forest was cool, but it was rather gloomy and the owls were trying to hide. Thus, the pictures are not very good.

Swans

Geddy took this picture of the very cooperative Golden Eagles. My pictures didn't turn out so good. But these birds loved to pose.

And the bald eagle didn't hide for Geddy either.

Maybe I should give Geddy the camera more often - not only did he get another great picture of those Golden Eagles, he got a picture of Scott too.