{halloween...finally}

Okay, so this has been on my list, well, since Halloween.  These past couple of weeks have just had so many extra things crammed in that sitting down and going through Halloween pictures has been at the bottom of the list.  But better late than never, right?

We had a wonderful Halloween.  I felt a bit rushed, since we got home from Chicago the night before, but once I let myself relax a little bit, I enjoyed it a lot more.  :)

Halloween morning I made orange pancakes and black cinnamon roll pancake sauce...a bit hit with everyone.  

We had some fun plans during the day, but ended up skipping them due to Emma not feeling very well. I was crossing my fingers that she would feel better by that night, because she was so looking forward to what we had planned.  Fortunately, she was up to the festivities, and by that evening, was much better.

A couple months ago we went on a delightful surrey ride in downtown Midland, and when we returned them, we had the brilliant thought that they would be perfect for Halloween night--to take the kids trick-or-treating in. We couldn't wait to try it out!

 

After the obligatory pictures on the front porch, we headed over to our friends' house--surrey central.  We decorated our surrey with garland and a few other things, then hopped in our for our ride around the neighborhood.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  Crisp air--but no jackets needed.  Many a year we've bundled everyone up in snow coats, and quickly made our way to a few houses. This year was lovely--only sweaters for the girls, and a thermal under the boys' costumes.

The boys very quickly caught on to this whole idea of knocking on doors and getting candy.  They could not get in and out of the surrey fast enough, and as soon as we finished at one home, all we heard was "mo", "mo" (more).  I'm pretty sure they thought they had stumbled on to the greatest thing ever.  Ryan did a few houses with us, the ran back home to man the front door and handing out candy. For me, I love that the surreys are pedal-powered--a great workout on a night that's bound to have some candy-eating involved. All those calories burned just means the more candy I can eat, right?  :)

What a blast. I think we've discovered a new family tradition, and decided to reserve them for the next five years. :)

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The week before Halloween, a local city forest hosts a Halloween walk.  It takes you along a path lit with lanterns, and at several stops along the way, tells a story and passes out candy.  This year they went with a Dora and Swiper theme, which my little ones loved.  We go every year, and it's one of those traditions we just can't miss.

It was such a fun way to get excited about Halloween, dress up in costumes, and enjoy a night out as a family.

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Can you believe Thanksgiving is now in a couple of weeks?   Can someone please stop the next month or so from going by so quickly??!!