Every year Halloween seems to take over more than just a single day, but an entire week. This year was absolutely no exception. We were really lucky to start off the holiday by going to a friend’s work Halloween day at Ebay with the kiddos. They loved it. They were able to wear their costumes for one extra day and walk around trick or treating. They had an area for coloring as well. That was certainly Nena’s favorite. Toad still has his bucket that he took with him. It handsomely sports the Ebay yoyo that he was given.
They were told to make a scary face. Funny enough, I get better scary faces when they are put into time out. That is really spooky.

This section of wall was awfully fun. They have a whole wall of door knockers. The kiddos really enjoyed trying out each and every single one. I am sure that those surrounding us didn’t like it quite as well as we did. Oh, and btw, those that are realizing that there is an added child in the picture, we took one of Toad’s friends with us.

Toad’s preschool Halloween party was actually held on November 1st. In my opinion, it was a little anticlimactic. The kiddos were so tired and had these little sugar hang overs. I think that they activity was planned extremely well, the kiddos were just a little lack luster.

Tired little Toad walking to his spot on the gym floor.
No so many smiles, but they did have a good time.

The older kiddos had their Halloween party at school. Apparently some schools don’t have parades or costumes anymore, but we certainly do. I am glad that we do. It makes it a lot of fun for the kiddos. This year, they weren’t allowed to wear their costumes to school. I was impressed that Bear was able to get into his costume without incident.

Another gratitude moment was that Nena wanted to be a pirate. Luckily, we had almost everything on hand. I was willing to make her some accessories and additional clothes to accent that outfit of hers, but she was more than happy to sport what she already had. YAY!

Toad was just excited to dress up.
Halloween night was a joyous event. For the past several years, I have hosted Halloween. This is more self serving than anything else. It brings everyone to my house for a party AND it means that other people take my kids around trick or treating. Over the years I have collected wigs and the family spends the night trying them on and posing for pictures. It may sound like a strange tradition, but we love it and it has caught on like wildfire with our friends that come to visit.

And yes, in the cousin picture, we have another friend. We will gladly add him to our family. He is our cute neighbor!

We were excited to have little cousin Ellie join us this year. She is a cute little sunflower isn’t she.
Kara come over and helped the kids go through and sort their loot! Isn’t that the best part of the evening after all!
The kiddos showing off their costumes. Well, except Toad, who at this particular moment decided to be a pro golfer.
And wig night begins. We have dad who gets into this evening more than anyone else I know. He looks great in them all as well.
Uncle Dusty can certainly get a strange look in his eyes. Unfortunately, the wig doesn’t add to the charm!

And then the moment comes when they start combining wigs. Yes, this is probably when the evening goes downhill. With three pseudo grown up brothers and dad that seem to all revert to being 5 years old get together, all sorts of strange combinations come out.

This will teach Lou to never go out of town on Halloween. The minute he leaves, Leigh starts getting attention from strange men. 🙂 We love that she comes over to visit.

Yes, I am a little scared to admit that we are all related. I think that I have a growing obsession with black wigs. I didn’t realize how many of them I actually had.

This is one of my favorite pictures. I love that my brother get in on it with me. We have a great time.

And then he goes and pulls this face and then I remember the 16 years that separate us in age.

Look at these darling treats that my sister in law made. She is so creative.