Happy Halloween!

Last night was our 2nd annual Halloween bash with the Tucker family. Sadly for Jeremy, he was the solo Daddy last night because Alex was out of town but we were so glad Courtney and the girls could join us in our neighborhood.

We started with dinner for the kiddos - mummy hot dogs. Then we prepped for trick-or-treating. Maggie was super excited that Court brought real makeup and did her up so that she was the best looking Aerial around (well, she and Madison were both Aerial so they both looked the bestest). We have a fantastic neighborhood for the holidays and people go ALL OUT. We always laugh that it's like in the movies when they show Halloween and there are so many people on the streets passing each other but in most areas, that doesn't really happen. Here it totally does. There were times last night when we had to get off the sidewalk because there were so many people walking through at the same time. After about an hour of trick-or-treating, we headed inside. My mom was kind enough to have stayed here to open our door to the little goblins so we could all take our kids out. Once we were home and put on a movie for the kids, the adults sat down to a buffalo chili dinner. It was such good stuff but we didn't think about the fact that the 2 hours it sat simmering was only intensifying the "heat" in the buffalo flavor...it was so spicy!

Thanks Court, Madison & Mackenzie for joining us again this year!

The kids loved helping me deck out the house for Halloween

Table is set complete with Twisted wine (so Halloweeney!) and Peep ghost straws

Mummy dogs - so tasty!

Ragen & Mags all ready to go

Court, Mack (the lobster), Madison (Aerial), Maggie (the mermaid), Ker, Ragen (Luke Skywalker)

The kids LOVE going to "Snoopy's house". These people decorate like crazy for every holiday.

Pre-Halloween festivities

This was a very busy week leading up to Halloween. Not only was Jeremy gone so the kids and I were on our own, but there were festivties everyday (if not twice a day). Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of my dad stepping in for the "Pumpkin Carving with Dad" at Ragen's school. Thanks for pinch hitting, Bumpa! Here's a recap...

Prepping the pumpkins for carving. Ragen was totally grossed out by the "goo" so he insisted on using a spoon.

"Dad & Me" carving night at Maggie's preschool. Daddy was playing golf at Pebble Beach (poor daddy!) so Brian Quinn stepped in as dad for the night. Ellie & Maggie had a great time at their special dinner out and carving night. Thank you Brian!

Annual trick-or-treating at Gamma Phi. Note to self - make sure Maggie has a nap on days where she's expected to follow directions and socialize with massive amounts of people after a long day.

Trick-or-treating for Kids Camp at the Bellevue Club. So that Maggie wouldn't rip her mermaid dress any further, she opted to wear her Sleeping Beauty dress. Ellie was a hula dancer and Josie was a ballerina. They got an insane amount of candy for this activity. Just what we needed a few days before Halloween.
The mermaid is ready for the pumpkin parade at her preschool

Maggie's class (at least most of the gang)

The carmel apple station at Ragen's class party

Halloween Carnival at the Bellevue Club. The only group shot of the kiddos - Josie, Reese & Ragen with Maggie, Ella & Ellie. It was nearly impossible to get them to pause for a photo in between the face painting, musical chairs, bouncy houses, games, movie and running around.

Musical Chairs

Why yes...it is possible to jump on bouncy houses in a mermaid costume!