Halloween at the Gulfarium

After the Cub Scout Camping Trip, it was time to iron out our Halloween costumes. This was the first year the boys did not know what they wanted to be until a few weeks before Halloween. Usually, it's decided months before. We finally settled on some very unique ideas and with some brainstorming sessions, we came up with a plan.

 

Lucas is really into the computer game called Minecraft (along with the rest of the nations children). He really likes the BLAZE creatures but when you see one in the game, they spin, move, smoke, etc. I was a little scared when he should me what it was I was supposed to help him create. :) It took awhile to come up with the final plan but he loved how it turned out.

 

Axel is all about he PBS Kids show called Wild Kratts. He decided that he was going to be CHRIS off the show so he could use his Creature Powers to help save animals. :) Chris is the green guy.

The weekend before Halloween offered numerous activities around the Destin area. We zeroed in on one that was new to us, the Gulfarium HallowGreen! This is the local aquarium with a wonderful focus on recycling. All their decorations were make from recycled items and the scavenger hunt was to find and identify a list of them.

The boys in full costume where ready for a day of fun.

Blaze and Chris.

Dolphin show...check out the cool view of the ocean. Great setting, beautiful day!

Lucas and Axel watching the show.

Beautiful Dolphin!

My favorites...Otters! I still have memories of my Dad bringing home a shirt for me from Seattle, WA. It had "You Otter See Seattle" written across it. I loved it!

Chris was checking things out.

Listening and learning about alligators. This is the best way to see them, behind a fence!

These trainers were nuts in my opinion. Here they are hand feeding the alligators and afterwards inspected them all by hand. CRAZY!

The place was decorated so cool. I wish I would have taken more photos of all the cool recycled items they turned into adorable decorations. My favorite were squished cans turned into flying bats!

Sea lion show.

Very cute!

After the main shows, there was some trick or treating and a costume parade.

It was a competition with a few different categories; most unique, best group, best recycled items used

The judges making their decisions.

Lucas and Axel took 2nd and 3rd in Best Recycled/Homemade costumes. I like to say that we tied for 2nd place!

Looks like Fall?! This place is so weird. :) I'm not complaining, the winter weather here is truly AMAZING but not very Fall-ish.

We all had a great time. The aquarium is small but offers quite a lot, perfect of an afternoon.

Cub Scout Camping

Lucas joined Cub Scouts this year and has been very busy with all the fun activities offered.  He is a Wolf in Pack 553 which held their Fall Family Camping Trip mid October. We packed up the whole family and headed to Defuniak Springs, FL for a weekend of Cub Scout fun. What better way to spend our 11th Anniversary. :)

 

We went up Friday night to get set up in time for some tasty s'mores and camp fire time. Some of our neighbors are in Den 4 too. Axel was thrilled to find out that his friends were there!

 

Axel and Bailey

Max and Lucas

Our shared campsite

We had plenty of room to spread out.

Morning pyros!

After breakfast and some campfire time, the whole pack met up at the flag pole to kick off the daily events. There were numerous Cub Scout Packs attending so we had a bunch of kids running around.

Getting everyone quiet for announcements.

Great turn out.

We headed straight to archery and pellet gun stations to avoid long lines. Our plan worked!

Boys waiting for instructions.

Even Axel got to participate in all activities. This was a great aspect of it being a FAMILY CAMP.

Lucas about to test his new knowledge out.

Axel was digging this!!



This was a favorite for sure.

Nice shot!

I think collecting the arrows was half the fun.

Look who's not paying attention! :) With that said, this was the second round of instructions after the long winded first one. Axel was ready to shoot! Lucas was making sure he didn't miss anything.

Both boys did great. They learned that taking their time and relaxing paid off when trying to hit that target.

There were a couple bull eyes in there. Great job Lucas!

You too Axel, you did super!

We took a lunch break and carved some pumpkins.


This was the main area. Some of the Pack leaders made some pretty elaborate campfire treats using Dutch ovens and cardboard box ovens. Delicious cookies, cobblers and cakes!

More troops showed up Saturday so the boys jumped in and helped them get set up.

After lunch, we headed down to the lake for some boating. No photos of this but the water was peaceful and it was very relaxing. We didn't see any alligators so I was happy. After that, we went over to leather stamping and ceramic painting. The boys used their leather discs and beads to make cool walking sticks which quickly turned into magic wands.

Love these boys!

You can barely see the lake we rowed on.

Daddy was showing Lucas how to stand at attention.

Lucas had earned his Bobcat Patch so he got in his uniform and went over a few things with Dad before the ceremony.

This was the Bobcat Ceremony. Many others in his pack also earned their patch so it was fun to watch the whole gang. It was a very involved ceremony and Dad got to help paint special symbols on Lucas.

Looking good!

Very sweet!

 EXCELLENT work Lucas!!!

The new group of Bobcats!

Lucas was a pumpkin judge. I was impressed by all the cool ideas people had.

It was dinner and s'more time before the big bonfire get together down by the lake.

This was pretty cool. We got to watch numerous skits but not before everyone had a chance to join in the dance party!

Axel met a new buddy, Elam. Mommy met a new friend too, Elam's Mom, Heather! :)
 

We all had a wonderful time! Daddy and Mommy were happy to celebrate our anniversary a few days later. Both boys had school on Columbus Day but Daddy didn't have work. It was an entire day just for us. We went to Pensacola to hit Joe Patti's awesome seafood market and a great all-you-can-eat sushi joint. Happy Anniversary Honey! It's been a wonderful 11 years! I love you!!