Halloween

Now I'm starting to get caught up on some blog posts.  Halloween was a blast this year.  We moved into a new neighborhood this summer.  We LOVE where we live.  There is tons of space, lots of trees, and hardly any traffic.  Our neighborhood does a lot of different activities together throughout the year.  Every Halloween everyone gathers together at the community pond for hot dogs and hot chocolate.  Then we all load up on several different hayrack rides.  Each hay ride goes around the whole neighborhood and lets the kids off to go to a few houses, then takes the kids to the next cul-de-sac.  I wasn't sure how Little Bear would do with this.  But, like he does every day, he amazed me.  He had so much fun and really got into carrying his little pumpkin and going up to the door to get the candy.  I tried to teach him to say trick or treat, but it didn't work.  Oh well, he probably will next year.  Little Cub didn't get candy, but she came along for the ride.  I had so many layers on her, she probably got too warm.  The hayrides got started at 6:30.  I wasn't sure how long Little Bear would last, but he did great.  We didn't get to make it to all the houses because he got rather tired and Little Cub started fussing because it was time for her to eat.  I'm looking forward to doing this again next year!

I wasn't sure for a while what I was even going to do for halloween costumes.  Then, I went on a walk one day with the kids.  One of our neighbors stopped me to meet Little Cub.  When I was telling him their names, I said, "I hadn't planned on the M and M thing for names."  That's when it hit me.  M&Ms were going to be the kids' costumes.  I called my mom right away and asked her if she would be willing to make the costumes for the kids.  She kindly agreed.  Unbeknownst to me she made costumes for Papa Bear and myself.  It was fun.  Papa Bear and I didn't have any white leggings or white gloves.  But, I figured we came close enough.

Hot Dogs and Chips before "Trick or Treating"

So excited!! 

The M&Ms Family

First Hayride

Where do I go next?

He was so fascinated by this tractor

My sweet M&Ms

Waiting in line for the candy

Sweet Mother-Daughter moment

Pumpkin Patch and Halloween Fun

Last Sunday we all went to the pumpkin patch.  It was a beautiful sunny day with a slight chill.  I of course had to dress Little Bear up in his overalls.  They're actually too short for him, but I wanted him to wear them one last time.  I of course had to put his pumpkin hat on him that his uncle made.  The pumpkin patch is 24 acres and on an actual farm.  So, Little Bear got to look at some chickens and cows.  He loved it.  We took a hay ride out to the patch.  We would find a pumpkin we liked, then walk around a little more and see another one we liked.  Little Bear helped us out in the selection process.  We loved this place.  We had never been there before, but our friend recommended it.  The bonus is, that it was free.  There are some really neat pumpkin patches in our area, but it cost $10 to get in.  Next year maybe we'll do that when Little Bear is another year older and would enjoy it more.  For now, I'm so glad we came here.  They even had apple cider and kettle corn available.  If you're in the area, check out Schaake's Pumpkin Patch.

Maybe the one in the middle

No, I like this one better

I love these boys SOOOO much!

He loved crawling around in the dirt - typical boy

I love this little pumpkin

Pumpkin Totem Pole

Tractor Hay Ride

He loved the cows - I couldn't get him to moo at them though

Frankenstein

Count Dracula

Happy playing in the hay

He wasn't quite sure what to think of the feel of the hay bales at first

Handsome boy all relaxed in the hay - notice the crossed legs?  Cracks me up

Last night we met up with CC and her kids and another couple from church and their kids.  I felt weird just taking Little Bear trick or treating by himself, so we joined our friends.  We had a blast.  We were in CC's neighborhood.  We loved "catching our little turkey".  Mark and I had to wear our camo to complete the look.

Papa Bear and the cutest turkey he ever caught

Aren't we an adorable family!!

Little Bear and his girlfriend MJ

They are sooo cute!

gorgeous sunset

The turkey has had enough.  He's ready for bed

One last happy face for the evening