Happy Halloween!

This would be the year the kids want to decorate the house. This would also be the year that had a few days or really strong winds. After initially being disappointed that our decorations were ruined, Jaxen decided that now our house really did look scary.

This would be the year that we carve the pumpkins for Family Home Evening (Monday night) and they didn't get lit until Halloween day (Saturday night). It was just way too windy for most of the week. At least it was cold enough at night to keep them from composting before Halloween.

This would be the year where the kids have a hard time choosing between two costumes. Darth Vader or Harry Potter? (I personally think he wanted to be Harry Potter so he could get out of cutting his hair. He told me Harry Potter has longish hair.) Unicorn or Dog House? Ummm, don't ask.

This would be the year that the only costumes you can find are different versions of witches. In addition to your traditional Wicked Witch, you have every other witch you can think of, white, black, elegant (no kidding!), rainbow. It was a witch's paradise at Wal-Mart. They (witches) could wear a different outfit each day of the week.

After checking out Cosco...which surprisingly only carries costumes up to 36 months...and incidentally are the only costumes my daughter really wanted (think unicorn and puppy)...we were left without many options. Off to Wal-Mart where I couldn't convince Ember to be a cowgirl, one out of ten of the witch sisters, or the red queen. So, with little time and options, we were stuck with the create a costume.

You know...the one with the tail, bow tie, and ears.

You know...the ones the young women like to pair with a leotard and call a costume.

At this point I am asking myself where are the animal costumes are! So, once we get our "costume" we head off to the clothing section to find some clothes to go with it. Because, of course, we don't have black pants or a black shirt at home. So, at least part of her costume is reusable. Actually, all of it is. She now can be a cat for dress up. Gives a little variation on the animal theme at our house. Although I am sure her meowing is just as loud as her barking.

Owen was a cute giraffe. It has a stuffed tummy and bottom. It was size 2-3 but it fit him a little tight. Of course Jaxen helped me out by ripping of the tag before I could think about taking it back.

Jaxen was Darth Vader. He absolutely loves the costume. We only had to hit up three stores to find one his size.

Poor Kaysen. He went the way of the pumpkin. Sadly unoriginal, but really cute.

Shaunton and I dressed up as hippies. It was a little last minute, but fun.

The trunk or treat theme was Harry Potter again. The kids loved the wands they got, and we had to have a little chat on appropriate wand etiquette. (Owen is still trying hard time with the no hitting policy.)

Overall we had a fun night and enjoyed spending time as a family.