Trick or Treat!

Halloween fun!  We started out Halloween with a trip to Daddy's office for their annual Halloween festivities. 

The different departments create themed rooms and pass out candy and have games.  It's usually rather crowded, but the kids had a great time and considering the iffy weather we were having, it was worth it in case we couldn't make it outside that evening.

Riley was excited to see other fairies and go into the fairy room.  She even got her own wand!

After playing some games, we headed up to Daddy's desk to eat some cupcakes.  The kids liked looking out the window to try to find our van and look at the cool clouds.

We didn't make it home before Gavin passed out...just like I thought he would!

After a little nap and a quick dinner of tasty leftovers, we headed out in the neighborhood.  The round of rain that came through that afternoon really dropped the temperatures, so we did a quick lap around the block and headed back home.  The kids didn't seem to mind that we were only out for a half hour or so, and they got TONS of candy between to the events that day so we were all set.

 

Riley really got into it and had a great time.  She talked about it all night!

We ended our evening with some good ol' Charlie Brown and headed to bed.  Another Halloween in the books...  Next year, Gavin says we all have to dress up together, like the AT&T commercial.  Let's see if he remembers that come October 2014.

Painting Pumpkins

We never made it to the pumpkin patch this year.  First, Gavin got sick and missed his field trip.  Then, Jarrod got sick and we couldn't make it when we were going as a family.  And, let's not forget to mention that this would've been the first year since moving here that we'd have to do the pumpkin patch without the Faminis, so I really think it just wasn't meant to be!  Instead, I picked up some pumpkins at the store.  One large one for carving, and a couple little guys for the kids to paint.  They enjoyed it!  Gavin really got into it...he loved his Superhero Vampire!
 

 

Halloween Dump

Here come all the pictures!

The last Friday of the month is always 'trick or treating' at Jarrod's office, so of course we had to go visit Daddy at work!  Both kids were so excited to see all the costumes and decorations...

 Gavin got his fair share of 'fist bumps'!

I absolutely ADORE these two together...

More 'hulk' fun...

  

Then, Halloween morning we spent time at Gavin's preschool for a fun party.  Jarrod couldn't sneak away from work, so I was trying to entertain Riley and get pictures...not too successful!

Gavin's 'best sister' Riley and his 'best school friend' Rylee

Let the sugar intake begin...

I didn't get many pictures of the games, but he loved this one.  They had to try to get the donut hole in their mouth without using their hands.  So funny! 

Then, after coming home for lunch and an unsuccessful attempt at a nap, we headed to the Faminis for trick or treating.  We didn't get to go together last year because Gavin was sick, but we had a lot of fun hanging out this year.  I think pizza and wine should be a prerequisite for all Halloween festivities, right?

I love these boys together.  While we were eating pizza, we overheard this conversation at the kids' table.

Lucas: Do you wish we were brothers?

Gavin: Why?

Lucas: Because we love each other.  

Seriously, could they get any cuter?

Caleb and Riley didn't let the fact that they can't yet say Trick or Treat! stand in the way of getting their fair share of candy!

The kids were troopers!  We walked around for a little over and hour and had so much fun.

 

 Love these memories made with friends!

 

Superman and his Ladybug!

Halloween didn't go exactly as we'd planned thanks to a low fever for the little one and some tummy troubles to the big one, but we still had fun walking around the neighborhood and trick-or-treating last week!  Our kids sure are adorable.  :) 

Jack-o-lantern Fun!

Perhaps my favorite part of Halloween is the pumpkin carving.  It brings back so many memories...sitting on the kitchen floor with table clothes and trash bags to contain the mess, carving with my parents and sister.  For some reason, I can remember one particular Halloween with our puppy Bandit there, sticking his head in the pumpkins.  {I have no clue why that one sticks in my head considering the short time we actually had that dog.}  

My most favorite part of carving the pumpkins is digging out the guts....Jarrod thinks I'm crazy because it completely grosses him out, but I can't wait to stick my hand in there and grab the seeds.  Last year, Gavin begged for the Cars templates he saw at the store and we used the Mater stencil to carve a pretty cool pumpkin.  This year, we used another from the set, and with the help of a battery operated knife, we carved King!  It didn't turn out quite as well as Mater last year, but it was still fun.  We donated our other pumpkin to the preschool and Gavin's class decorated that one, so we only carved the one pumpkin this year.   

Gavin loved watching us get started, but quickly grew bored and kept asking if we were finished yet.  Riley was a perfect angel and sat in her bouncer watching the whole time.  I can't wait until the kids are old enough to carve with me.  I love creating these fun family memories together!