Halloween 2010

**i know halloween seems like it was forever ago but really it's been like 6 weeks. and i've been more behind in the past. anyway, here we go...

halloween was more fun this year since the girls are getting older and were excited about pumpkins, getting dressed up, and filling their baskets with candy.  we started celebrating in early oct when we carved pumpkins with dan's fellow residents and their families.  our girls tend to be shy and mute in a group setting like this but they warmed up a little bit and it was great to see them get more comfortable.  

the weather was beautiful and if anything, a little warm.  we had an incredible fall with great temps for the most part.  dan's program is on the smaller side, which is normal for dermatology.  there are just 9 residents total, 3 in each year.  only two aren't married and half of them have kids - it's a fun group.

kara is a second year and brought halloween books for the kids.  they loved it.  (and i know, madison pants are a little bit low.  oh well.)

the masterpieces.  ours are the two on the left.  and by no means am i clever for tying a ribbon on the tops - they were given to us.  cute and crafty? me? nope.

our bumble bee fairy and lady bug.  i took many pictures. this was the best one. :)  

we had our fill of halloween this year - our ward trunk or treat sat night, chili and corn bread dinner with friends on halloween (you can see "Mario's" leg in the background and "Daphne" from scooby doo was around there somewhere), and then followed it with a little trick or treating around the neighborhood to be friendly.  madison stopped going to the doors after 3 or 4 houses and opted to sit in the stroller but grace realized if she kept going she'd get more candy.  she filled her bucket to the brim.

halloween is probably my least favorite holiday but this year turned out pretty well and it was fun to see the girls get excited.  now they each have just a couple pieces left and we'll put the buckets away till next year.

**we also squeezed in the hartsburg pumpkin festival - a huge crowded event in a tiny little town. it's 20 miles south of us and usually just takes 20 minutes to get there. it took us 1 1/2 hours to drive the last 1.25 miles!!! traffic was backed up due to lack of parking and we almost turned around 50 times.  in the end the girls pleas of wanting to go to the "pumpkin party" were met.  we might consider it for next year but first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds.