Halloween Spectacular

I never seem to post enough, again it seems life just gets in the way. I am going to try and post a few pictures from our Halloween spectacular. Halloween was a long day. Eden went to school where she had her Halloween party. I got to hang out with my sister Megan who had come down for the big event. After we picked up Eden we met daddy and had lunch with our good friend Tonya. The kids didn't eat much probably because they had scarfed down enough sweets from the party but it was still fun. Then we went to Tonya's to hang out until the big night began. Tonya made us enchilada's which were super yummy! After dinner we got costumed up. For the Branch Halloween party Elijah was the little old man form the Disney movie UP. He was soo cute. Elliott made him a little walker out of pvc pipe. I have to admit I was a little miffed he didn't win a prize in the costume contest, but I will get over it, lol. For the big night, however we decided it was not feasible to drag that thing around so he went as a spider. And yes it was the same spider costume Eden wore for her first Halloween.

                                                               Elijah in his UP costume.
                                                             

                                                                My fairy princess!
                                           

                                             Here are the kids getting ready for the big night!

Once trick or treating began it was a marathon. We had intended to limit the trick or treating to only an hour and a half, but the kids were having so much fun I didn't have the heart to make them stop, so we ended up out way later than we had planned. We started out together, but after some falls it ended up just being Eden, Audrey (the green dinosaur), Elijah, Aunt Mae Mae, Daddy and me. About halfway through Elijah went to a stroller and rode in style.Elijah took the whole night in stride. He was mildly curious about all of the people dressed up, but considering he was up way past his normal bedtime, he was amazing. Of course it helped that Aunt Mae Mae kept feeding him candy all night!  The kids collected an enormous amount of candy which I am munching on as I type this. Hey, I earned it. The girls were especially funny as they were so excited. Most people had tables set up in the driveway to hand out the candy, but some decided to brave having people knock on the door. The girls would occasionally run right by the tables to get to the door. This was especially brave with our girls who would peer through the windows and scream in delight when someone would come to the door. My favorite part was when the door was opened and in their excitement to get candy the girls would almost barge right in like little tiny cute home invaders. We also had some discussions about impulse control and only taking a reasonable amount of candy. Audrey was especially funny whispering to Elliott once "They didn't tell me I could only have one, so I took three!" The girls seemed intent on making sure one of them ended up in the emergency room as I think they both fell about a hundred times. They were just so excited and having so much fun, that they could not stay on their feet. Although poor Audrey took her first tumble before the festivities began and scraped her nose on the concrete pretty bad. I felt so bad and she has a pretty good bruise and scrape this morning. Here are a few more pics:

Audrey and Eden are the best of friends.

Two little peas in a pod.

                                              The girls could not contain their excitement.

I was especially thrilled for Eden. This was her first real Halloween trick or treating. For all of those who have been to our house, we are the only house on the street and so there isn't much trick or treating out in the woods. She went once when she was almost two with her cousins, but she doesn't remember that. This one she might remember. She had the best time, which is also one of the reasons I had a hard time telling them it was time to stop. I know they were out late, but it is only one night a year, I think I can make an exception. I am so grateful that I have such an amazing friend who let us crash their Halloween in their neighborhood.  I think it made the evening so much more special that Eden got to spend it with her best friend. And the best part was that I managed to get both of my kids to take a two hour nap the next day! I am not sure that has happened since Elijah was born! It was a great Halloween and I can honestly say I am looking forward to next year!