halloween weekend!

and so it begins...

Nelson took a break from his studies and we went to Salem this weekend to enjoy the Halloween festivities!

we went with another couple who Nelson knew from BYU.  We coincidentally ran into them at Stake Conference a couple weeks ago and we planned a little getaway for this weekend. 

As I'm sure you know, Salem is the home of the infamous Salem Witch Trials.  We went to one of the oldest cemeteries (graves dating back to late 1700s!) and got to see some famous names... 

it's pretty touristy because of the history, and since we're enjoying our lives as a frugal young couple, we decided our money would be best used by seeing the reenactment of the trial of Bridget Bishop!  We got to hear the "testimonies" of witnesses, ask questions, and then be the jury.  Our group thought there was enough evidence to take her to trial... but the rest of the jury voted to let her go... contradictory to history. 

this is Nelson's "she's a witch!" face. Mob mentality got to him... 

[there were women dressed up as witches in the audience... he thought there was plenty of evidence right there to convict them.]

a little random... but this plaque was outside a home that was a member of the Church!  We were walking back to the car and just happened to come across it!  

after downtown Salem, we made our way to the coast.

OH MY GOODNESS. 

it was cold.

beautiful, picturesque... but freezing! 

on our way home... we goofed around with Cheez-its and the camera in the back seat. Oh how we amuse ourselves... 

Later that day, we had our ward Halloween Party. Nelson dressed up as Flint Lockwood from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs [one of my favorite movies] and I dressed up as.... me. :) 

I didn't take any pictures, but I did take one picture of the festivities. 

Oh, and there was a chili cook off... 

Oh and guess who won? 

Oh yeah-- the Paces!! 

Our ward has been amazing. It's definitely been the perfect place for us and we're starting to really feel at home. I recently was called as the Ward Music Director and yesterday was my first day doing the duties.  Nerves.  If you have any suggestions for the Ward Christmas Program, please send them my way.

Also, 

thank you for the happy wishes!! We were/are very excited to share our baby news with our friends!