A week of Halloween

Another fun-filled Halloween 'week' has come and gone!

It all started on Monday of that week.  We had decided not to spend extra money by going to a pumpkin patch, and I didn't want to just pick up pumpkins from a bin at a local grocery store.  Our next best bet was to go to a vender in town where there were loads of pumpkins to choose from.  We could still wheel a wagon around and the kids could pick out their pumpkins.  And what a gorgeous night we had for weather:)  Here's what they came up with:

On Wednesday night, the kiddos got into their costumes and we headed to Max and Molli's school for the Halloween Carnival!!  I remember it from when I went to school there.  The big kids LOVED it.  Miley was a little overwhelmed.  Let's just say it won't be a family event next year!  Here are the kiddos ready to play some games and get some candy:

 

Thursday night was pumpkin carving night.  We grabbed our pumpkins from the front porch and dad started cutting.  Mom was the 'cleaner-outer.'  Max picked a Hawkeye for a face and dad did an AWESOME job carving it.  Molls picked out a simple face from the internet.  Mom enjoyed carving out that one.  Pumpkin carving is a time consuming job - those were the only two we did!

Friday night, Molls had a Costume/Birthday Party for one of her friends at school, so once again, she got all dolled up as Rapunzel.

Saturday morning we had a playdate at our friend's, the Loy's, whom I used to do daycare for.  Their oldest, Dublin, and Max are the same age and have played together since they were babies!!!  Since the boys have started Kindergarten, they haven't seen each other since summer.  We decided to have a costume playdate because Dublin and Jonas (another Loy boy!) were Mario and Luigi for Halloween.  How could you not put the cute Mario Bros. together?!

And here's cute little monkey, Hobson (Loy boy #3!)

Saturday night, Mike and I had the Sacred Heart Auction at school, so the kiddos went to Nanie's house.  Uncle Bill put together a Treasure Hunt, so they were asked to wear their costumes!  Seriously, from Wednesday night on, costumes were being worn.  Definitely got our money's worth!!!

Then the big day - Sunday night - Trick-or-Treat time!!!!  We had dinner with Mike's family and then the kiddos and some cousins went out in the neighborhood.  The dads were in charge of walking the kids around.  Mike said Miley went up to the doors and said "Trick-or-Treat" every time:)

WOW!!!  Who knew Halloween could last a whole week.  Seriously, you'd think I was talking about Christmas or something!  It's all about building wonderful memories with our kiddos<3

October Craft Night

I'm so excited to say that I started and finished 2 CRAFTS at craft night last week......AMAZING!!!!

Again, my awesome friend provided the ideas and materials, I just followed the directions and had a great time!  We made a 'Give Thanks' banner and brown paper bag flowers, both ideas from Pinterest.  The banner just had to be cut out and strung onto string or ribbon.  The flowers had to be cut, folded, and glued together.  Here's what the mantel looks like for the month of November:

I just love the simplicity of it.  Maybe I'll get more daring and add a little more to the mantel each year, once I get more comfortable with my decorating skills;)

UPDATE:  Here's a picture of my October mantel, with the Trick-or-Treat sign I made out of paint sample cards.  Again, very simple.  Always room to add a little more next year!

Here's one last look.....

....at the joys of fall!!

It's amazing how much life has changed with a yard full of trees!!!

A possibility of some snow here tomorrow.  Hmmm, not sure how I feel about that.