October is generally a really busy month for us. This year was no exception. We spent a week in Utah for my brother's wedding, celebrated Daniel and Andrew's birthdays. Josh went to a very important accounting conference for several days in Rochester, NY and to another conference in Gainesville, FL. Josh also had his whole seizure situation which turned into lots of worrying, doctor's visits, scans, and tests. We went to Columbus for a reception for my brother given by my parents where I took the pictures and Josh was away. There were class parties, trunk-or-treats, crafts, meetings, and just every day life. It's a miracle we survived it all.
The whole month was wonderfully fun and memorable, aside from the seizures of course. We ended the month on a high note with Halloween night. We met up with some friends and all went trick-or-treating together. It was so fun to see the kids all run from door to door together. Living in Florida also means that Halloween feels like summer time. I wasn't complaining. The kids all had a great time and looked so cute too.
Pure joy.
I've never seen Anna on a sugar high like she was that night. That girl was bouncing off the walls!! Everything that was said sent her into giggle mode. I loved it!
Isn't this picture just darling?
Our little butterfly enjoying her Halloween night stroll.
They probably look so happy because they were talking about accounting or something....
I love these two. I'm so glad they're such good friends.
Okay, so these are out of order but it's all good. These pictures are of our ward's trunk-or-treat. The party was a success. The kids were so excited about all of the games and candy.
Jenna was a butterfly. Anna was Ella from the new Cinderella movie. Andrew went as Captain America. Daniel was Superman. I know his costume totally looks like an after thought but truly it wasn't. This is just exactly what he wanted, so we went with it.
Andrew's face in these pictures just kills me. He was totally into his character.
We put gold sparkles in her hair, blush on her cheeks, and mascara on her eyelashes. Anna was feeling pretty special that morning. She looked like a true princess.
Nothing melts my heart more than this sweet little bug. She is pure goodness.
There were lots of fun games for the kids, and they wanted to do it all!
He really is my superhero!
Jenna got some nice high fives from her sweet friend, Lauralynn.
Twinners!
This is, hands down, the best costume ever. The whole "Back to the Future" future date of 2015 had happened that week so it was perfect timing. I loved it!
Enjoying their spoils.
We also carved pumpkins with the kids. Daniel was the most excited! When we pulled out all of our Halloween decorations in the beginning of October, he found the pumpkin carving tools bag and once he discovered it, he refused to ever put it down. He was so obsessed with it! The night had finally arrived for him to open the bag and use his long anticipated pumpkin tools. He was in heaven.
Nice!
Poor Jenna got ignored that night as we carved, but in true Jenna fashion, she was just as happy as could be playing at our feet.
She kept herself entertained by pulling everything out of the cabinets. Worked for me. ;-)
Josh was Anna's helper, and I was Andrew's. I am probably the world's worst pumpkin carver. It's very sad to me because I consider myself a somewhat artistic person, but you guys, I have issues. My pumpkins always turn out terribly. That was the joke of the night. Let's just say Anna was glad that her daddy was helping her and not her mommy. Ha!
Poor Andrew got stuck with ol' Mom. I guess I lived up to my reputation this year because it didn't go exactly as planned.... We still had a great time!
The kids were SOOO excited that we let them each have a turn holding the video camera. That never happens, and they loved it!
Andrew's is supposed to be a storm trooper from Star Wars. Daniel's is a good ol' fashioned jack-o-lantern. Anna's pumpkin is Minnie Mouse and wins the gold for best pumpkin.
Anna had a costume parade and class party the day before Halloween. I was able to go and help out. It was a blast being there. She was so excited that I could help out and I loved seeing her so happy.
I don't know why but Anna just looks so old in this picture. I love it!
I was in charge of the bingo station. We had a great time. All of the kids were so cute in their costumes. I loved putting names with faces and learning about each of their personalities. It was a great party.
Anna's teacher, Mrs. Ingram.
On the morning of Halloween, I had a photoshoot to do for a sweet family. I didn't want to miss out on our Halloween tradition of making jack-o-lantern pancakes, so I woke up early and made sure it happened before I left. They never turn out super pretty but they are always really fun to make. The kids are so easy to please and were so grateful for the fun treat.
October was a blast and also completely exhausting. We made some great memories though and are grateful for every single one of them.
