Halloween 2022

Halloween 2022 was a great one! Every year, I'm amazed at how much the kids are growing and gaining more independence. The weather was perfect, the fellowship was delightful, the kids were cute, and the candy was sweet. We couldn't ask for anything more. 

We took some pictures in our yard before we drove over to the Shondelmyers for the evening. 

This year we had KC wolf, a light up unicorn, Hermoine Granger, and Harry Potter. 

Remind me why I was so freaked out to have kids only 17 months apart. They're awesome!

Hermoine was casting a spell to turn Katherine into a unicorn. 

His costume represents his personality perfectly- lover of football and fun/silliness. 

I don't know how many more years of tutus/dresses for Halloween we have left (Her sister gave up on those a couple of years ago), but I'm here for it for as long as it lasts. 

Our unicorn needed a little cat nap on the drive over. 

We had to fuel these kids up with pizza for a night of trick or treating. 

These girls have been trick or treating together since they were three years old. Their first experience together, they quit halfway through the neighborhood, and Corey had to bring his truck to pick them up. They've come a long way in the last five years. 

After dinner the kids were off. 

And the dads were firmly planted in their chairs for the evening, ha! Brooke and I know our years walking around with the kids are also numbered. Somehow, we're not too sad about it. 

Katherine didn't waste any time digging into her candy. 

Brooke and I walked around with Samuel, Keaton, Elisabeth, Kaydence, and Katherine. All we talked about is how drastically their stamina has improved over the years. They walked the entire neighborhood and never complained about being tired (until the very end)

Okay, maybe they were a little tired at the end of the night. They walked miles for their candy though. 

We let these two off on their own for the second year. Brooke and I are both grateful for both of their responsible first-born tendencies. We knew they'd be safe and responsible. And they were- and got a ton more candy than their siblings. They must have jogged from house to house to get so much candy. 

We eventually walked back home to sort the loot and enjoy the spoils. 

Halloween is such a fun, memorable holiday for us and 2022 was no different. 

More October Fun

We had a full last week of October. 

The Wednesday before Halloween the kids went to their AWANA's annual Trunk or Treat with Papa Joe. 

Then the next day, the wore their costumes to co-op. 

I love that these two had coordinating costumes (and even more that they happily shopped their closets this year). 

Harry Potter reading Harry Potter.

We celebrated Papa Joe's birthday at our house. I made his favorite roast for dinner and a carrot cake for dessert. 

The kids even put on a show for him to celebrate. 

On Friday night, Barry took the boys to the Broken Arrow vs. Jenks football game, and Elisabeth was off at a birthday party. That meant Matt and I got some one on one time with this Cutie. Her request for the evening was dinner at Sams and a trip to Cherry Berry for dessert. Her smile says it all. 

She gives us this hilarious evil laugh when she's really happy, and she was laughing the entire time she poured all the toppings on her ice cream. 

While we were hanging with Katherine, Elisabeth was rock climbing to celebrate one of her sweet friends' birthdays. So fun!

These girls have developed the sweetest friendship over the last year. They are inseparable any time they're together. Anne and I literally had to pry them apart at the end of the party. 

Elisabeth had a blast rock climbing. I was thankful for the pictures Anne sent me. I had a feeling she'd love it and be good at it. 

They went to Hideaway for pizza and cupcakes after rock climbing. Elisabeth had the best night!

Matt's department hosted a family pumpkin carving party. Pumpkin carving has never been my thing, so the kids were thrilled for a chance to get to do it. 

They all turned out pretty good!

Elisabeth even won first prize in the contest. 

We left straight from Matt's work and headed over to Audrey's birthday party. The kids wore their costumes, ate pizza, played outside and rode on a hayride. The perfect Fall birthday!

The kids had picture day at co-op. They are all growing up so fast!

Kyla recently joined Katherine's dance class, and now these two get yet another weekly activity together. They really bonded during their sisters' dance class last year. Elisabeth always says, "What would life be like if I wouldn't have become friends with Nora at Katherine's dance last year?" 

I mean, they never have any fun together. 

Nathan gave an oral presentation on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World in his history class. He prepared diligently and gave great information during his presentation. I'm proud of him!