Trick or Treating 2009

I don't know who was more excited about Halloween this year the kids or me? I was convinced that this year would not be the disaster every other Halloween with the kids has been. In the past two years they would start screaming and crying because they were too tired by 7pm. Last year we thought we were going to make it and by three house they were done. It was 7:30pm! This year they were older and we had been talking about trick or treating for a month. We had already had pictures in our costumes so they were used to wearing them and really liked them. I had to hide the football, helmet and pom poms for weeks before Halloween because they wanted to play with them everyday. I wanted every thing to still be intact for Halloween.

Dallas had to work Saturday so I was at home with the kids alone. I wanted to take the kids out to do something but I was too afraid of wearing them out. I did not want a Halloween meltdown on my conscience. That morning I took the kids over to play with Reese while April and I went to visit a friend's new baby. I was a little nervous leaving all four kids with Mike but we were only going to be gone about an hour. I figured they would play and he would be okay. When we showed up Aunt Jen, Mike's sister, was there. Yeah! I felt so much better leaving four kids with two adults opposed to one.

We had a wonderful time seeing the baby and headed back to get the kids before nap time. Jen is a teacher and had herself a regular daycare going on while we were gone. She fed them lunch, sang songs, read books and played. I think they all had a really good time together.

Playing dress up. Reese is such a character. Ha!

I put the kids down for nap and it was time to get busy. I had to make, cut and package a lot of rice krispie treats for that night. I still needed to get every thing ready to go trick or treating too. The kids only napped for a little while and I was quickly finding myself behind schedule. I called Dallas' dad who was coming over to go with us and ask him to come early. He showed up right at 6 and took over feeding the kids dinner while I ran to get dressed. We were walking out the door at almost 7 when Dallas walked in. He helped me load the kids and then him and his dad road together to Charlotte's house.

We have made it our Halloween tradition to go to my boss' sister, Charlotte's house and trick or treat in their neighborhood. Diane lives on the same street and it is only about 5 minutes from our house. The houses are high dollar and the people are very nice. Charlotte and Mark, her husband have improved this gathering every year. This year they even had a covered pavilion for the food which was amazing. They had taquitos, queso, enchilada casserole and much much more. I love that we get to see all of Diane's family and friends too. It is one of the only times a year I am guaranteed to see all three of my flower girls. They are all getting so old so quickly.

We arrived right at 7pm and it was already getting dark. I got the kids out and the madness started. They were both running different ways looking at all the decorations and people. I was trying to find a place to put all our stuff and control my two kids. Debbie wanted to get some pictures of the twins since we had missed the group picture. This is what you get when you take a picture right after you arrive...


Too much to look at! Even Jennie tried to show them how to pose but they were so distracted.

After a couple pictures I went back to our pile of stuff to get situated. Paige was standing right by me but Ethan was no where to be seen. I start rushing around dragging Paige to find him. Thankfully he was being taken care of by Jennie. He had apparently touched one of the spotlights right after the pictures and burned his finger. She was standing right there and grabbed his hand as fast as possible. She touched the light herself to see if it burned him and sure enough she said it was very hot. I found them holding ice together by one of the water coolers. I was so happy Jennie had fixed him up for me. He never mentioned his finger again. Along with the ice the kids discovered the mini water bottles and they were set. They have a serious obsession with drinking out of water bottles. I guess they feel like big kids when they do.


Miss Emily with her favorite twins.


Then it was time to head out trick or treating...
On the way to our first house.

They both did so well! This was our first official trick or treat house. We have never even made it to a door in the prior years.


Next house... I absolutely LOVE this picture of all my Cowboys!


We all found it funny to see Paige carry her bucket over her shoulder. No one told her to do it. All the sudden she just flung that thing over and marched to the next house. Ha!

Love this one!
They were so excited and totally into the trick or treating. They even said Thank you every time.


Dallas being dragged to the next house which was Diane's house.


Her grandson, Evan was handing out candy at that moment. I cracked up when I saw him and Ethan looking at each other.


Come on Mommy hurry! The kids were so funny saying, "Wait guys, I'm coming"!


The only meltdowns we had were over houses that did not have lights on or did not answer the door. They will learn the Halloween etiquette eventually. We walked from Charlotte's house down the street to Diane's and back up until we came back to Charlotte's. All the older kids went on but we decided to take our perfect trick or treat experience and run with it.


Walking back up to the party. Charlotte's daughter Dawn and her hubby Matt passing out candy.


Miss Katie all grown up. Yes that would be my husband in the background watching football on a tiny TV. I swear it is always about the football. Ha!

We decided to hang out for a while since we had missed the party prior to trick or treating. We got something to eat and sat around talking. The kids played and had a little snack too. We finally decided to head home around 9pm. We could have stayed longer but Paige had been coughing and I was certain that the cold air was not good for her health. We got home, put the kids to bed and we were all asleep within an hour. I could not have been happier with our Halloween fun this year!