Halloween 2010

Here we are - all ready to go Trick-or-Treating. I finally gave in and let Maddie wear whatever she wanted (she has on a Vampire costume, adult witch wig, and kid witch hat). She did have a darling Minnie Mouse costume, which she wore the the Fall Festival - but what is the fun of wearing it twice? Anyway - here is what she came up with - isn't she cute???

Since Jack has spent some time with his cousin Jake - he has learned all about policemen, firemen, and S.W.A.T guys. So - here is my S.W.A.T. guy. He made it for about an hour of Trick-or-Treating and then was content to sit by mom while I made scones, pick through his candy, and just hang out.

This is the first year Jacee has changed her mind on costumes. Usually she knows what she wants to be in early September, but this year we bought one costume (movie star) and ended up returning it for the Go-Go Girl. She did have cute white "fake" boots -but didn't like them so went with the warm brown ones. Since it was raining I was ok with that.

We had a great time. John and I have talked about making scones for our Trick-or Treaters since we have been married and have never done it - we went for it this year and it was great. We took turns manning the fryer and the other went out with the kids. There was a light rain but nothing that stopped the fun. Steve, Nat and Jena came over to hang out and with it a second wind for Jacee - who took Kimble and Carter to the houses with the best loot (Grahams - FULL size candy bars and Miners - play dough). Good times!

I love Halloween - it marks the start to all the holiday madness - now on to Thanksgiving!

Let the Holiday Season Begin!

I use to be a firm believer in not decorating for Halloween until the first weekend of October. Well, I must admit I have succumbed to the commercial peer pressure that has been heaped upon me since the last week of August. My new tradition is that we will decorate the last Monday of September. We'll see how it goes in coming years.

My traditional "decorating hat".

John's main duty - putting up Harry the Spider and his web. We all love it and I'm so glad he's willing to do it year after year after year.

Maddie's favorite is getting out the costume box.

She is posed this way so I could capture the wings on film.

The witch hair is always a big hit. Jacee now is thinking about being a witch this year, or Cleopatra, or a bat fairy, or Galinda the Good Witch...the list goes on and on.

This is what I am hoping (trying to manipulate) Maddie into wearing this year. This is what Jacee wore when she was this age and I think it's so cute. Maddie has said she would be a witch if she gets to wear the long black witch wig. We'll see....

The Perfect Halloween

Two kitties and a bat!

Aren't they cute? Not bad for a last minute costume change.

Our littlest kitty and.............Book Face! (Or rather Face Book.)

Batman and a witch in Grama A's magic chair.

My cute little Buzzy Bee...


And the little know hybrid - the Wee!

We had the most perfect Halloween yet to date. I was very worried about the weather after experiencing many days of snow. But Halloween dawned bright and sunny. I even had to open the windows to let in a cool breeze. I think it might have gotten up to 75 degrees!

We first spent the day just preparing - cleaning the house, getting the corn chowder in the crock pot, and then off to Grama A's to go Trick-or-Treating. She was so fun - she had dressed up like a witch and had great treats!

Then we rushed home to go to the neighborhood party. Jacee had misplaced her bee antennae and so decided to go as a cat - like mommy. Well once Maddie saw that she wanted to be a cat too. So - mommy sacrificed her ears and tail so I had two cute little kittens following me around. Jack, luckily, was content to be Batman all day - whew!

We next hit Steve and Natalie's and her famous, homemade chicken noodle soup -yummy! Then back home to give out candy to the Trick-or-Treaters and daddy took the kittens and batman out. Batman and baby kitty lasted until about 7:45pm with Jacee lasting until a little after 8pm.

Then it was party time! John put up the projector screen in the basement so all the kids found a comfy spot with pillows, blankets, and of course their bags of candy. We didn't hear a peep from them for an hour and a half! So, in peace, the adults had corn chowder, scones, pumpkin cookies, apples and caramel dip, and brownies. We played some great games with Gary stealing the show as Napoleon (not Dynamite - the real one!)

Overall - GREAT Halloween. We only wish Grama and Grampa Mission were here to join in the fun - they will be next year!!

Now we can't wait for Thanksgiving!!!!

A Halloween Visit with Grama A

Pumpkin Carving #3

Here is the master chef, Kathy, making the magic happen. Homemade rootbeer with dry ice - yummy!

The kids, of course, thought it was great. Of course Uncle Brian wanted to add a few special ingredients! Jacee...


Emma...

Aves...

And Jack...

Here is Jacee doing her best Elphaba impression. She loves the part where Elphaba is doing the spell for Fiero, waving her arms around.

More fun events of the evening. Here is McKell - our tween - listening to an ipod...hmmm, can you just see those teen-age years coming!

Carter and Talor playing Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Robots.

Aves at the candy bowl. That thing was cleaned out by the time we all left!

And the night was complete with three rounds of boogeyman. It did take everyone to get Uncle Brian.

Pumpkin Carving #2

The moment you have all been waiting for - the finished jack-o-lanterns!


This is always my favorite pic of the night - the glowing pumpkins. Aren't they great?

Jacee and Jack with their finished products. And yes - mom did carve them this year.

Kimble showing the one he scraped out very thin - when you put the candle in, it is just suppose to glow orange - don't know if it worked or not.

And cute McKell - isn't hers darling? I think she got some of her parents' creative talents!

My little Avery (she's not really mine, but kinda!) I had to take multiple pics to get a smiling one - she is such a teaser!

This was the second one I took...

Here's actually the 1st one I took...

Pumpkin Carving #1

One of the best parts of being back in Utah are the family traditions. This is one of my favorites! The Pumpkin Carving Party! And we of course we have the host with the most - Gary Petersen! Just look at this set up! He has taught me more about the art of carving pumpkins and how to be ready for a party. Props to you big guy!

These first round of pictures are of the actual carving. We started early this year - 1:30pm - because there was going to be a conflict that evening with a 5K. Well, that fell through so we got to stay at the Sunrise Petersen's for hours on end. I will have to add a few other posts to cronicle all of the afternoon/evening festivities! This pic is of Kimble hollowing out his - 2nd pumpkin.


We were glad the Wy-honing Petersens got to join in this year - even though we're not sure of the influence they are bringing to the party. Here is Brian carving his "swear word" pumpkin.

Steve filled in for Uncle John who had to work for part of the party. John is usually the uncle-demand, making sure all the little ones get things going right. Steve was the very handy uncle this year.

Gary and his kids always seem to pick the very intricate designs - surprised? Here he is helping Abby - who actually did most of the carving by herself.

Jack and Isaac lasted for a bit before scampering off to play. I was glad Jack picked an easy design since John wasn't there to carve this year. I did okay, but we sure missed daddy. We're glad he made it for most of the party - and he made a sale! Woot! Woot!

Steve supervising Kimble on his first pumpkin. I think he did the most and was pretty much doing it by himself. Pretty creative kid.


Emy did a bat and then helped her dad hollow out the poor pumpkins that got put in pumpkin hell! Way to be a good helper Emma!
Stay tuned for part 2 and 3 of the party - fun times!

Witches and more Witches

We had a day off so we went to Gardner Village. It was great! We went on a witch scavenger hunt and had to find certain witches. The kids had a great time. This was Jack's favorite - the witch catching bugs in her cage.
Here's a sneaky little witch at the quilting shop.

Maddie wasn't too sure about getting hugged by this witch.

Everyone loved Witchy Poo - and yep - that's just what she was doing!

Jacee wasn't nervous at all. We had a great time and WE LOVE HALLOWEEN!