Halloween Fun

Since having kids, Halloween has become one of my favorite holidays.
(Who am I kidding....I love all holidays)

Our festivities kicked off on Sunday afternoon when we got back from our weekend away at Grammy's 100th Birthday Party (more on that, later)

We headed to our friends house for their annual Pumpkin-palooza.

Kate drew this design all on her own. She was so proud.

On Halloween Day, the girls wore their pumpkin shirts that I made.

As soon as Kate got home from preschool, the girls wanted to put on their costumes.

This is the first year that I let the girls pick their own costumes. In years past, I was THAT MOM who had their Halloween costumes as a theme. You know me, I love a theme!
In 2008, they were a Puppy & a Kitty.
In 2009, they were a Ladybug & Bumble Bee
In 2010, they were Wonder Woman & Super Girl.

This year, they are older & have strong opinions so I let them choose :)
Kate wanted to be a Pirate Girl & Claire wanted to be Tinkerbell.
As I think about it...they still kind of have a theme & go together (Peter Pan has pirates & Tinkerbell, so they go together. I should have had Kevin dress up as Peter Pan!)

On Halloween Evening, we had several friends come over to our house for appetizers & drinks and then we all went Trick or Treating in our neighborhood.
I love any excuse to have a party :)
I made a few decorations to make my house look festive.
And, no party is complete without a dessert table, right? ha!

Banner I made out of cardstock.

Close up of some of the treats:

Yum, Blue Cheese Crack:
Spinach Dip:

For the kids, I made Mummy Dogs & had Mini-Pizzas:

My friend Kelly made yummy grilled shrimp skewers:

Becky made Chicken Satay & a thai peanut sauce. YUM!

Becky's neighbor Danielle made Roasted Pumpkin soup & sandwiches. So good!

My sister made meatballs & I made Taco Soup.
(I have made Taco Soup EVERY Halloween for the past 9 years)
Of course there were drinks!

Then we rallied the kids & went Trick or Treating!

On the court across from us, they were making Kettle Korn in their driveway!! So fun!

As I was taking that picture, I heard a voice telling me not to step on the grass.
It was this head that was on the table!!!! I had no idea it was a real person. Totally took me by surprise!

Another house was giving out Spiked Cider to the adults. I love our neighborhood!

Both girls were totally into Trick or Treating. After every single house, Kate would run down the driveway & shout, "THEY GAVE ME CANDY!!!!!" Such a fun age. Claire was just on a mission to get as much candy as she could & would have trick or treated all night if we let her.

We got a group picture of most of the kids:

We got home & handed out candy to other trick or treaters.

And, our court was all hanging out with the firepit going. So fun.

Spazzed out family picture! One has a sugar high, the other has a sugar crash.

Hope you also had a fun Halloween!