Happy Halloween!

I think this is the first year we have carved pumpkins!!!

How ridiculous is that?! The kids each designed one side of the pumpkin and Ted carved away.

So we have a Jekyll and Hyde pumpkin...here is one side...

The man at work-- Crazy pumpkin head guy...

One thing we don't ever miss out on is making tons of holiday sugar cookies. We do this for Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. It is a family tradition in my family since I was a girl and we love it! We love to frost them, eat them, and deliver them by doorbell ditching. The kids dress up in camoflage or all black clothing and sneak around to deliver them while I was, stressed out in the car. I hate suspense (I can't even see a superhero movie much less a James Bond, no way, stomach-ache-city for me) so sometimes I think of staying home and letting Ted drive them around; but, seeing Nick army crawl in someone's yard makes me smile too much and I manage not to take the suspense too seriously. :)

Violá, the cookies are done!!!

The following are the PRE-Halloween festivities:

The kids are out trick-or-treating with Ted as I type. We live at the end of a street and don't get constant kids coming by, so I have some down time to get up to date.

Me and Mads. My jacket says "Pink Ladies" on the back. I wore little white socks with poodles on the cuffs; Maddie has a billowing fairy skirt that was stapled with ribbons and 3 colors of tulle by yours truly. My first time making (an easy) costume!

Taking our friends to the church's Trunk or Treat party; chili cook-off, pie contest, and of course, trunk or treat. We took 3 friends of Maddie's (the boys are also friends of Nick). They all play sports together after school in the yard: tackle-football or soccer.

Maddie vs. Caleb (our neighbor and almost adopted son) at bobbing for apples.

Our neighbors have a BIG Halloween party every year for all the neighborhood: costume contests, scary music, creepy treats, the works! Maddie won $20 for best costume! wow!

Big Steve, aka, Ted, was the Official Announcer at the ward Trunk or Treat. He and other judges gave "Best Family Ensemble" costume award to this Incredible family who we really do think is incredible: The Smiths, who are now in our neighborhood, and we are so glad!

Scenic photo from the Fort Worth Stockyards where we went with Ted's parents when they were in town. A blog solely dedicated to that visit will be added soon. BOBBING FOR APPLES!

Nick got the apple first (after soaking his whole head in the cauldron of water). He loved it so much he did it again after everyone had their turn.