Aka, Halloween activities. Riley and Joe are at such a wonderful age where everything to do with holidays is wildly exciting. And threats about not trick-or-treating actually hold some clout. It's fun for us all. Oh man, and this morning we had our first swirl of flurries and it was like Christmas came early. We did a snowman craft and made hot chocolate (after they ran outside in pj's to try and catch a snow flake) and watched Frosty the Snowman. I might have been somewhat the instigator but never mind. Halloween!
We got a surprise package from home with costumes from my childhood and all the makings of a Halloween party. Thanks, Mom! Riley put on a skunk costume that my Grandma made for Mom many moons ago for a dance recital, one that I also wore when I was about Riley's age. There was much giggling! Riley liked it too!
And then there was the pirate pumpkin and pierced...bunny clown.
So we had quite a selection for the ward party. It was a fun night - lots of chili and scones and games I didn't take pictures of, but the prep I did! here:
Riley found her costume at DI and it is probably 20 years old and a little worse for wear but I think the sequence made her feel glamorous.
To take a break from costumes, here are a few fall walks we have enjoyed this season. Everything is brisk and golden. One was from Em's birthday celebration. It's so nice to be close to siblings again, something we haven't had in a few years. These twilight pictures are all a little blurry, but I love them.
And bonus walks...
We've scoped out the good climbing trees.
What can I say, I like a walk that stings the toes and bites the nose! Heck yes I'm listening to Christmas music! So there!
But, er...back to October. We carried on the McClure tradition of Halloween sugar cookies with chocolate chips! It took me a few days to get the right recipe for the cookies - the first one went all flat and shapeless in the oven. Should you be in the market for a great recipe, this one from King Arthur Flour was great! Or, save yourself the trouble and call Mom - which is what I'd have done if I'd been thinking.
Pumpkin carving. Fraught with peril. No one wanted anything to do with the pumpkin guts, and the first two faces Daddy carved were "too scary." I got them in the spirit of things by distracting them from the pumpkin entirely and making ghosts instead. It worked out. Sort of - this is the forced smile Riley only did because I was taking her picture, the little ham, and because Dave was teasing her.
Decorating the day of Halloween. Bought temporary respite from the endless questions, or question: "NOW can we go trick-or-treating??"
And - hang in there - almost done:
Halloween night!
The big bowl of candy and chocolate pudding and oreo's that no Halloween dinner should be without. So much sugary sludge...
Trick or treating time! You can't get a good family picture at a crucial moment like this - attention is simply elsewhere.
There was one brief moment when a plastic goule jumped and screamed when we walked up to a door that Riley decided Halloween "maybe isn't my favorite day." But she recovered quickly and we all had a marvelous time. And still are - tis the holiday that keeps on giving.
Aaaaaaand lastly, a video compilation...of all our dealings...with October.
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