Halloweeeeeee weeeeee weeeee n

I dunno 'bout you, but our Halloween started out just fine and dandy. We spent the day cleaning and getting typical Saturday crap done (holding trick-or-treating over their heads all the while). I finally caved around 3:00 and let the kids start with costumes. This darling little thing is how Erin started her Halloween:

Glinda

BUT, after only one street of trick-or-treating, Erin was soaked! Her little dress was about 6 inches too long after getting wet, her feet were frozen and her curls were no more. I gave her a piggy back ride home and magically turned her into this:

A witch (a warm one)

Josh (pre-costume), Erin (Glinda), Brynlee (Abby), Emma (cheerleader), Gauge (fireman), Kailee (doctor), Alexa (Sandy), Cambree (witch), Cari (roller derby chica), Atley (witch)

For the first time in a very long time, we had all the grandkids in costume at my moms house on Halloween! It's so fun to see how creative everyone is! That ultra cool firetruck is Gauge's wagon that hims really cool dad made into a firetruck (he has his dad's ipad in his hand ... to work the siren). And Cari's roller derby costume deserves some attention! So funny.

Of course, my favorite little 18 month old. I can't get enough of her. She was Abby from Sesame Street. Her little hair things made the costume! We took her to do a little trick-or-treating in the rain. She was more interested in everyone's pumpkins on the porch than anything. And I don't think she realized people were putting candy in her bag. But, after a couple of houses, she was saying "trick-or-treat" (or something like that).

Our newest cousin: Bryson (Frankenstein) stinkin' cute!!

We braved the wind and the rain and the cold for this? Yes, we did. So many calories.

But, it put a smile on her face.

And gave them all a little sugar high.

Funniest part: Josh just handed Jer a note while doing his homework (with candy bag at his side) that says: "There's a shoe box in my room under my desk filled with chocolate. That's where my stash went. Don't tell mom."

He knows me.

Walk the Plank

For our YW activity this last week, we had a Halloween party at Ashley's house. She does such a great job hosting parties. I had to take pictures of her cute decorations and of the girls all dressed up. We spent the night eating and playing pirate games.




Yes, these are all the same crazy leaders that were in my girls camp pictures. We have way to much fun to call this "service." I love these ladies!

Pumpkin Art?

It took a couple of weeks for us to finally get to the pumpkin carving this year. The kids had fun scooping out globs of pumpkin slime but by the time we finally got to the actual carving, they lost interest. Josh was the only one to actually finish his without help.

... and this is how Jer survives pumpkin carving....

Whodunit?

This year, our "adult" Halloween Party was a Murder party. It was so entertaining just to look around at all the costumes! And, all night I found myself trying to decide if the person I was talking to was in character or not.

Darin, Jer, Doug, Brian, Brent, Ron, Matt, Brian, Dave, Bob, Rick

Jan, Nellie, Ashley, Karen, Kelly, Rachel, Anjanette, Cindy, Anitra, Sheri, April, Keri, Angie, me, April and Lisa

The only picture we ever get of the two of us.

Howlie Moon (the murrrrderrerrrrr)

Dr. Heckyll

Mr. Jive

Erin and Emma were a little uncomfortable with the look of their dad with an earing. He did actually have his ear pierced in high school so I think they thought he had actually gotten an earing in the hole. High school was a long time ago.. a sticker had to do. I think he looks pretty snazzy in the doctors coat.

While Jer and I were partying with other "adults," the kids were at a party for the Johnson cousins. I wish I had been able to get some pictures of all the kids dressed up, but I didn't make it over there.

Witchapalooza

One of my favorite things in the whole world is a good GNO. We went to Witchapalooza at Gardner Village on October 21. The show was a little cheesey but the food was good and the company was awesome. Before the show started, we walked around to get some good pictures. We had people asking to take our picture with their kids. We're not sure if they thought we worked at Gardner Village or if they thought they were at Disneyland for a minute, but we felt special anyway.

So many sparkles. I actually have a great picture of Cari and I on my phone, but I'm too lazy to download it. I'll send it to ya, Care. (the Duran Duran picture)

Me, Keri, Karen

(my sistuh) Tell me you're not looking at her pumpkins. Gosh.

Westin (the warlock) had a horrible very bad no good wig. It was like fingernails on a chalkboard to April. So by the end of the night, she was elated to finally get that thing off his head. This picture kills me.. obviously everyone knew what was going on except for me (as I sit in my perma-pose for all 12 cameras).

Ashley, April, Lisa, Keri, Jennifer, Cari, me, Nellie

(back row) Lisa, Jennifer, April, Ashley, Karen, Cari (front row) Keri, Nellie, me

Wheeler Farm

Over UEA weekend, we decided our "fun" activity would be Wheeler Farm with the kids. I'm not sure where it comes from, but all of our kids (especially the girls) are animal lovers.

Erin knew we were going to "the Wheeler's farm" so she wore her cowboy boots. She is such a character.

So photogenic.

Cheap entertainment. It's $1.50 for a bag of bird food.

We packed a lunch and ate at the picnic tables there. The kids got a kick out of that and we save a buck or two - which is good since we paid $12 for three pumpkins. We still haven't made it to the zoo in a while. That will have to wait now that it's cold outside.

Fall Fun

I LOVE October. I love summer because I love the heat, but October is fun in a refreshing kind of way. I love that in the morning and the evening I have to put a jacket on, but during the day it's still yard work weather. I also love that every night of the week is filled with something. I love being busy with life and kids. This week was a little busier than most and holy cow it went fast. Monday - dance. Tuesday - soccer game. Wednesday - Had a new baby nephew born, Young Womens, Scouts. Thursday - GNO Witchapalooza. Friday - Halloween Party for the cousins and Halloween Party for the adults. Saturday - soccer practice. And believe it or not, Jer and I work, the kids go to school, Josh is doing safety patrol and MESA. Emma got to serve hot lunch this week. And Erin had several play dates with Ashlyn. . . so all the "normal" stuff. And, there are all the traditions we have to keep up like making sugar cookies, leaving a treat for someone to "BOO" them, playing in the leaves at grandmas, decorating for Halloween, carving pumpkins, and making costumes. So here is a sample of pictures (I will post more as the month finishes out..):

Wheeler Farm

Emma (the purple haired cheerleader) and Erin (Glinda)

Cari and I at Witchapalooza!

Howlie Moon and Dr. Heckyll / Mr. Jive

Fall Soccer (he makes me proud)

So there's the teaser. I have a memory card full of pictures and can't wait to post them..........