Trick or Treat

Halloween was so fun this year. We started talking about costumes and trick or treating at the end of summer (thank you Costco for putting out the Halloween costumes so early), and then the activities seemed to last all through the month of October.  As I was editing this post I got thinking about past Halloweens with the kids so I dug out photos for each of the Halloween celebrations since the kids were babies.  Luke and Ruby loved seeing all of their costumes through the years and couldn't believe how little and cute they had been. It seems like each year has just been more exciting.

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

The kids absolutely love making crafts and tried to turn most family nights into craft night.  I'm not great at coming up with a craft, but thanks to Target and the Dollar Store, we have plenty of pre-fab kits that all of us can do.

We can never pass up a great photo op

We went to our ward "Fall Festival" the week before Halloween.  It gave the kids a chance to try out their costumes, and everyone had a great time with the party games and face painting. 

Luke and Ruby were so determine to get an apple.

Our little garden has been so great this year - the kids have been watching the pumpkins they planted grow all summer and were thrilled when they were finally big enough to pick.  Grandpa and Grandma were here to help pick and then we carved and decorated the pumpkins a few days later.  

Halloween care package from Grandma Whitesides

Dressing up in costume for school seems to be so exciting for the kids.  Ruby had so much fun at preschool and Luke loved his first grade party and school parade. 

On Halloween, even lunch time seems to be the right time for a costume.

Ruby had a few costume changes throughout the day.

I even joined the fun and wore a costume this year.

We spent all afternoon in various costumes, playing with grandpa and grandma, and really just counting down the hours until it was time to go trick or treating.  

We had a tough time this year finding costumes that were just right for what each of the kids wanted but after a lot of searching, and a few compromises, they each ended up with a costume that they loved.  They were so excited to put on their full outfits and couldn't wait to go out and meet the world as a Ninja and Alice in Wonderland.

Our neighborhood is the best place to trick or treat.  We met up with some friends and the adults tried to keep up as the kids literally raced from house to house.  After a few hours we finally were able to drag the Luke and Ruby home - happy, tired, and full of candy. 

Meanwhile in Merida....Erika and Andreas got into the spirit of their new home and went out to celebrate with some of their new friends.