Next Up - Halloween

Every year the elementary school that the kids go to throws this super fun Halloween Carnival. This year was no exception. They always have a professional photographer there to do pictures & they usually end up being the best pictures we get of the kids in their costumes.

Nate went as a fighter pilot this year. He saw the costume online & just had to have it. Funny thing is before then he had not seen any of the Star Wars movies. Everyone at the carnival kept complimenting him on what a great Luke Skywalker costume he had not to mention we got several remarks on how much he looked like Luke Skywalker - he really did especially from the first Star Wars movie (which is actually the 4th -whatever). He got pretty frustrated so we borrowed the movie from some friends, he watched it, he loved it & then said "Now I know why everyone kept saying I look like Luke Skywalker - I really do!" No confidence issues here. This picture isn't the best, but it's the best I've got!

Abbie wanted to be Tinkerbell & so she was. A super cute one at that. She was all decked out in glitter spray  on Halloween Day & at Trunk or Treat. At Trunk or Treat she also had a star wand that glowed. Perfect for Abbie.

Kassie however stole the show. I just couldn't pass up this octopus costume! She was a hit everywhere we went! At Trunk or Treat Dan wore his scuba gear & carried around (when she'd let us, she would have much rather walked) his "catch". Kassie's favorite part was passing out candy to others - so Dan sat with her on his lap & when people would get to our car to "trunk or treat" he would say "put your bag/bucket up close & my trained octopus will give you a treat." She got the candy in the bucket more than 95% off the time - it was hysterical. Some of the older kids ran to get their friends to bring them over for the show, we had a great time - now if I had only brought the camera with us to Trunk or Treat.

Last but not least our pumpkin creations. We carve pumpkins every year & this year was no exception!
Kassie was fascinated by the whole experience - here is her pumpkin - thanks to help from dad.

Abbie wanted a cat - so with some help from mom (and a pattern from online) here's her creation.

Nate went for the pirate look & it took help from everyone but turned out pretty good - we think anyway.

 

All three together

There was one more pumpkin - a special little pumpkin, one that was grown with TLC from Nate the great himself - but do I have pictures of it - not really. Not carved anyway - but here are some of the work in progress.

Funny thing about this pumpkin is we really tried to make some pumpkin starts in peat pots - yea those didn't grow a bit (nothing I tried to grow did), but Nate took some of the left over seeds & planted them in a small patch of dirt next to our driveway. I didn't even realize he had done it - till it was growing - guess he's got the green thumb in the family, I surely don't. The finished product was perfect - but do I have pictures - not as many as I'd like - bad mom.

I am grateful for family traditions and the pure joy they brings to us.