Halloween

With the fall weather and colored leaves in October, this was one of the first years I've really enjoyed decorating the house for Halloween. (just never excited me too much in the past - go ahead and say it: Bah, Halloween-Humbug!) It's a good thing we were enjoying ourselves because Halloween was a bit drawn out this year with costume events beforehand (church activity for Carlie, school activity for Caleb, and a trunk-or-treat at church), and even one after Halloween (Carlie's dance class party).

The teachers had a 2-day inservice the end of October ... which means the kids had no school the day before Halloween and the day of. The first graders still were able to have a little "Halloween" fun on their last day of school that week (Wednesday). They were instructed to choose a character from a book to dress up as, and also bring the book. Caleb was the Frog Prince (and a perturbed one, it appears!):

Carlie and Rachel enjoying the slimy-ness of cleaning out a pumpkin.

Rachel is very good at saying "EWwwwww!!!" with anything gross (or even if prompted by Chandler for the fun of it). But she wasn't too shy to stick her hands in anyways!

I wasn't quick enough to snap a picture of the big kids before they headed to the church "trunk-or-treat" with Daddy on Oct. 25. (I stayed home to put two tired little girls in bed early!) Chandler was dressed up as a vampire - complete with red "blood" dripping down the corners of his mouth. I figured I would get another photo opportunity on the 31st. Not so. He was practically giddy with delight when he received permission to spend the evening trick-or-treating with his good friend, Henry, in his neighborhood (first time breaking away from the family). He quickly dressed up as Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns basketball star!) so he could have comfortable clothes and shoes to dash from house to house! Luckily we had an abnormally warm Halloween (high of about 67 degrees)!

Here are the remaining four - getting ready to hit the neighborhood in the late afternoon (the town sets the hours of 4 to 7 pm for Halloween night). Rachel is a Moo-Cow, Kierstyn is a little Pink Bear, Carlie is a Baby (she was soooooo excited to get to have a pacifier with her costume), and Caleb is a Dragon (he wanted to be the same thing as last year!).

Below: Notice the FEAR in the little girls' faces ... some neighborhood kids were just approaching our house to trick-or-treat, and there was a little boy dressed up as something scary. Rachel started to cry!

It was a beautiful afternoon for a walk, so we brought the double-stroller along for Kierstyn to join us (otherwise she would've stayed home with Daddy to answer the door).

The three of them walking up to a house in the neighborhood. Rachel always lagged behind a bit, but she was so cute trying to be like the big kids and get her share of the candy.

Kierstyn thoroughly enjoyed the Starburst package I let her slobber all over for half an hour.

Checkin' out the CANDY!!!