A Week of Halloween Fun: Halloween 2014

Last year we were very low-key during Halloween. The twins were just eight weeks old, and as excited as Addie was to don her monkey costume and trick-or-treat, it was a short night.

This year, we went all out. We kicked off Halloween week with the annual pumpkin-carving/decorating party in our neighborhood. Coordinated by our neighbor, Miss Kathleen, all the kids decorate pumpkins, make ghosts, and gorge themselves on cookies and candy.

Addie putting the finishing touches on her glitter pumpkin.

Addie, Isaiah and Beaner working on their Halloween crafts.

Mama and Evan

Miss Kathleen helping Evan reach the hanging pumpkins.

Deb showing Kate the ghosts the big kids made.

Sabrina with her son Isaiah and Evan.

Mommy and Evan

Don feeding all his peanut butter cup pie to our vulturous twins.

Evan chewin’ a stick. Because obviously.

Some of the neighborhood girls carving their pumpkins.

Finished work!

I love living in a neighborhood that celebrates together. Whether it’s a back to school BBQ, or Halloween bash, we have a great time! Having a sense of community is important to Kendra and me, and it’s wonderful raising our kids among neighbors who enjoy socializing, watch out for our kids, and who’ve become our friends.

The night before Halloween, Addie joined her cousins, my mom and Aunt Debbie, to visit my grandmother at her nursing home. Every year they hold a trick-or-treat night and Halloween show for the relatives of the residents. Addie loves going – this year she was singing in the aisles as they watched the performance, and even got up on “stage.”

By the time the big night came, Kendra had gone to town decorating our house inside and out. Unfortunately, Evan came down with roseola mid-week, so we kept the twins in for the night. Luckily we’d gotten pictures of them in their costumes the weekend before!

Because Kendra went out with Addie last year, while I stayed home with the twins, we swapped jobs this Halloween. Addie and I trick-or-treated with our neighbors Vanessa and Sabrina and their son Isaiah. The kids had a blast, while we adults enjoyed the hot apple cider being given out by another one of our neighbors.

Addie was so excited to wear her princess costume!

Addie and Isaiah ready to make the rounds.

After about an hour, we returned home and gave out candy to the older trick-or-treaters. I have to agree with Addie’s sentiments about the evening – it was the best Halloween ever!

Of all the Olaf costumes we saw, this one was the best that came to our door!