When we arrived in Canada, we didn’t think they would celebrate Halloween. (Okay, it was probably just my own wishful thinking, as I’m not a huge fan!) But we soon found out that it is HUGE here. Tons of people dress up, and tons of people shoot off fireworks. (Having a 19th floor apartment gives you a great view of the fireworks!)

We were invited to our friends’ home where the kids could play games and enjoy candy and other treats. So we managed to find two very inexpensive costumes (total cost @ $6.00). The boys got dressed up. We took them to see Hotel Transylvania (very cute!), dinner at McDonalds, and then on to the party. There were about a dozen kids there and everyone had a great time.

In fact, the boys walked back to the bus stop proclaiming this as the best Halloween ever!

We got settled at our campsite. We were the only ones there and the weather was nice: just a bit of sun and around 60 F.

We went for a 5 mile hike at Raven Cliffs. It was a nice walk and the leaves were just beginning to turn.

We got back to camp and had dinner. Then the boys were playing. After a few minutes, William calmly came up to me and said “Mommy, there’s a bear over there.” I laughed, until I followed his gaze. There at the next campsite, about 60 yards away, was a big black bear (probably 300-400 pounds).

I tried to stay calm. Zack told us to head for the car. I took both boys by the hand and we began walking to the car. We waited for Zack. It seemed like forever, but probably about 3 or 4 minutes later he emerged from the woods. The bear had been very uninterested in us, and after Zack threw a couple of things and made a little noise, he retreated across the river.

We debated on leaving, but decided to stay. While my vivid imagination tried to tell me otherwise, we saw nothing further of our large neighbor that night or the next morning.

We had a fun time, and it is definitely a trip we will not soon forget!

Here are a few pictures from our first days back.

Everyone loves a treat from Starbucks

Any ‘Walking Dead’ fans out there? It is filmed in the city where I (Jenn) lived in high school (Senoia, GA). We visited there on Saturday.

Hanging out with family in Senoia, Georgia

Time at the lake

Grandparent Time

Our friend Mr. Chris taught Daniel to do headstands while we were in Virginia.

We got to see my niece march during half time on Friday night – the same high school where I graduated. Weird to go back! Great to see her as a Marching Indian!

William was excited to get a William and Mary shirt!

The boys had airport day at school yesterday, where they practiced presenting passports, answering questions about where we are going and why, etc. They made fake passports. Not sure that the strictest of immigration agents could keep a straight face if they had to examine Daniel’s.

We love Cook Out Burger!

Each Sunday night we have cross-cultural worship and last week was European night. Zack and I led a worship song in Norwegian.