HAPPY HALLOWEEN......

Halloween is definitely my least favorite holiday but watching the kids and just hanging out as a family sure make it a lot more appealing.  The fun all began the night before last as Terry carved pumpkins with the kids.  I am super happy my job is to take pictures because the rest is sooooo messy.  Raelynn, of course, takes charge in the design of the pumpkins.  She brings out the notebooks and pens and starts drawing what she wants Dad to carve.  Coop's a little more easy going about it and doesn't insist on perfection.

Once the plans were drawn it was time to start cleaning out the pumpkins.  As you can see this was not Raelynn's favorite part but Coop sure got some good laughs.  I don't know if they had more fun with the pumpkins or with the camera!

It took two nights of carving to get them all done but they turned out pretty cool!  Way to go Terry!

Today the kids both had Halloween Parties and unfortunately I only made it to Raelynn's.  I felt horrible for Coop but one of the other Mom's consistantly sent me pics so I did survive but it was really hard.  I was only able to stay for Raelynn's parade but did not get to stay for the party.  Raelynn was so sad I couldn't stay and so was I.  These are the days being a working Mom is so tough.  We all made it though and went on to a wonderful night of trick or treating!

Raelynn at her parade

Mrs. Mitchell (Raelynn's wonderful Teacher)

This year there were so many kids around our neighborhood and it seemed like we knew them all.  It is really incredible how your kids friends become your friends too.  It is getting better and better to live in our neighborhood as the kids grow.

At the end of the night we visited a local Haunted Yard!  This place was crazy and beyond scary.  Coop and I never made it through and Coop couldn't wait to get home!!!  Raelynn had been there the week before but said it was much more scary tonight.  We did make it home shortly after that and ended our evening sorting our candy for the Witch Fairy.  The Witch Fairy has been a tradition since Raelynn was a baby.  We leave all (or most) of the candy out for the Witch Fairy and in the morning we find that the Witch Fairy has left a present in return for the candy.  This year I have a feeling the Witch Fairy will leave a couple fun Halloween Books!!!

**Check out someone's new photo over to the right! Unbelievable to me that she is in second grade and growing faster by the day!