Happy Halloween

Have I ever mentioned that Halloween is my favorite holiday? 
Well, I'm sure that I have - and I'll give you a nickel for every blog post you point out where I mention this.

I'm not sure if it's Halloween or just fall - but regardless....it really is the most wonderful time of the year!

As Eleanor still had no desire to touch the inside of a pumpkin, we only carved 2 of our 3. 

I'm pretty sure our masterpieces will not survive today's 74 degree temperatures, so we might have to bring out the fake ones for actual Halloween!

This Sunday was Trick or Treat for us - and as is tradition - my sister and her family came over to Trick or Treat with us. 

This year Eleanor decided on just ONE thing for Halloween - a Witch.  (As you recall...last year she was a Princess Doctor Chef!)  And might I add...she was probably the cutest witch out there!  Oliver was the Very Hungry Caterpillar.  Collin was "red" and Miles was...um...a football player...shoot, I can't remember which one.  My son is only 9 weeks, I don't have to memorize football player names yet!  It was a BEAUTIFUL day for Trick or Treat - I'd say the best we've had!  And Eleanor was very excited to map out a new route through our new neighborhood.

I was all too happy when after about 45 minutes Eleanor declared she was done with Trick or Treat and just wanted to go home.  Good for us, Oliver isn't a fan of his stroller and Eleanor crawled in.  She didn't even go up to some of the last few houses, announcing, "It's OK, I have enough candy!"

She really has just as much fun passing out the candy to all the little (and some big) kids, then running from house to house collecting her own.  And the truth is, in about a week, she's going to forget about her candy anyway.  Sometime, right before Easter, Andy and I will clean and purge the Halloween candy to make way for the Easter candy...that will be forgotten about in the same time frame. 

And...as a side bar...Andy has decided to go "All Out" for holidays going forward.  He really is getting in the spirit and plans on embarrassing our children for years to come.  As a good wife, I support my husband in his decisions and purchased this amazing pumpkin shirt for him to wear every Halloween.  He loves it. 

And of course...the Halloween initiation rite...dressing up the newbie in Lucy's (the dog) Halloween outfit.  It's happened to every child...Oliver couldn't miss out on the fun!

Here's Eleanor - October 2009....



And now Oliver...October 2014

Poor things...I can't believe I allow this to happen!

Oh - so much cuter as the Very Hungry Caterpillar (HANDMADE Very Hungry Caterpillar, I should add!)

AND - with Halloween falling on a Friday this year - there is still more celebrating to come!  But...I just had to add these pictures while it was fresh on my mind!