Vegan anyone?

Ok.  I will be honest, 

I have issues with eating animals.

It BOTHERS me....

I usually try and just put my issues aside,

and try and go with the flow,

as my VERY carnivorous hubby prefers MEAT a lot.

Well, Hong Kong likes to really just push me passed my comfort zone.

In the U.S., we are protected and shielded 

from a lot of the ugliness that is animal consumption.

Here.

The more you see of the animal, 

the better the quality.

Sometimes it is  too much for me!

Well, I mostly just shop at the International Stores.

You know the ones that cater to the foreigners.

The other day, I was just going to pick up some ground beef for dinner.

Krystin was with me.

We are completely used to seeing Fish heads,

Chicken's feet, FULL Chicken's heads attached and all, 

and much more...

For some reason this was over the top for me.

An ENTIRE PIG LEG.

YUCK. No.  No.  

 Right next to that was a section of Pig Tails.

I couldn't even tell what it was at first...

No..  Just no....

Needless to say we had a Vegetarian night....

Krystin was funny though, as we were leaving she saw this: 

in the Halloween section, mind you...

And asked, "Mom, do you think they would find this appetizing too?"

Yes, she was joking, mostly! 

Halloween Hong Kong Style

We were not sure what to expect of Halloween in Hong Kong.

Our family LOVES Halloween.

We love the sense of community, of coming together, of dressing up, and having fun.

Love it!

Todd and I usually love to see all of our neighbor's kids cute costumes, 

and even love to dress up ourselves.

This year, we didn't even really know what to do.

We received a flyer in the mail inviting us to a Halloween Carnival in Discovery Bay.

(Discovery Bay A.K.A. where most of the foreigners live.)

After the long day of racing, kids came home showered and we were off!

Queenie joined us in the fun!

The moon was full.

The sky was awesome!

 While the kids enjoyed the festivities,

Todd, Duffy and I had dinner! (:

 Duffy danced on the table.  

Silly Bear! 

(Doesn't he look cute in the costume Daddy bought him!)

The costumes in Discovery Bay were Amazing!

This one was one of my faves!

He was HUGE! 

Wow!

 and dancing!

 There were free 'spooky' photo booths even!

 and beautiful views of the ocean.

We could NOT find dog costumes!

Can you believe that?!

So, Kayla and I improvised.

Honey was NOT very cooperative when I asked her to pose for a pic.

 Just trust me, she was so cute!

 Even if she wiggled the hat off in seconds flat.

 Lily was a little more cooperative.

Look at Honey plotting in the background to help her get that hat off!

Certain Halloween traditions make Halloween feel like Halloween to me.

Carving Pumpkins is one of them.

While there was NO pumpkin patch to pick out our treasures,

we did find a few at the store, but Holy heck were they heavy to carry home.

Oh, and this spider is the one I really wanted.

The worker at the store YELLED at Kayla and me when we asked to get it.

She even quickly cut the tag off it, to show us we were not getting it. :(

It was on the display and she was NOT even going to THINK of switching it... :(

It was the ONLY one like it too.  

Well, Krystin and I went to the store the other day,

and Krystin agreed to ask for it ONE MORE TIME...

I mean she was putting clearance stickers on Halloween stuff.

I hid.  Krystin asked her, and the lady took it down for her!!!!

She had to even put a price tag on it for her!

Anyhow, we bought 6 pumpkins (extra one for the Bub). 

It took a couple trips to get them home

 (and there were only about 10 between the two stores available).

Oh and PUMPKINS ARE SO HEAVY, so you know.

Pumpkins were laid out.

 

 We were all excited to get started carving!

 except, where was Krystin.  (:

Expressing her creativity in the form of painting.

 We kept calling her, but decided to get started.

 and hmn.  where is Krystin?

 Finally!

There she is!

 Pumpkin INNARDS!

My Pumpkin.

Todd and I carved ours with butter knives.

 Todd was very excited and immediately loaded his to fb!

 Bub's

 Krystin's

 Logan's reverse pumpkin

 Finished product

Mine, Todd's, Krystin's, Logan's, Bub's, and Kayla's

 Logan carved 4 sides!

 cool

 Silly Duffy trying to hide!

A couple more pics from the night.

Queenie and Logan got confused about the masks! 

Happy Halloween from Hong Kong!