Halloween

We purchased pumpkins a few weeks ago to eventually carve.  We carved them – one a day – while Jeremy was on a trip to California two weeks ago.  I had never used actual pumpkin carving tools before.  Usually, I just hack away at the insides with a spoon, and the face with a butcher knife.  This time, Ellie and I purchased a kit at the store.  It came with a few miniscule tools and patterns.  So, that is what we used.  Each of us picked our own pattern out to do.  I still did most of the carving, but the girls got in on scooping out the innards.

         

Ellie chose the bat and pumpkin.  I chose the witch’s shoes.  Madison did the owl with the moon.  (Jeremy also carved a pumpkin when he returned – a block “C” in honor of the Indians in the World Series.  I took this picture before he did his pumpkin.)

For Halloween, we usually go to Trunk-or-Treat at Living Water Church.  They do a fantastic job.  We don’t really have a neighborhood to canvas and meet people, so this is the next best thing.  I really like it because I think the people are incredibly creative with how they decorate the trunks of their cars/trucks.  They are usually quite elaborate.  This year, we went there again, but it had been raining in the hours leading up to it, so they moved the event inside.  I thought it would diminish the creativity, but they just set up their stands inside.  I think I still prefer it outside because it allows for more space, but I was impressed with their impromptu relocation.  The girls were super excited to get dressed up.  Madison was a Flower Fairy.  Ellie was Doc McStuffins.  Both of them wore their outfits with confidence!

  

Grandma Yoh met us there again this year – a tradition that we had had the last few years with her and Papa. 

We get to see a lot of our friends from church, school, and the community there.  Ben, Steph, Cale, and Landen were right behind us coming into the building; we walked with them for a little bit.

   

We also saw about a third of my volleyball team there dressed up at one of the stations as scarecrows.  So we got a picture with them, too.

From there, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Ediger’s house.  Grandpa pretended to be a monster coming out of the basement. 

    

I enjoy seeing the joy kids have dressing up at Halloween.  I know they like getting candy about as much as I dislike having to police it for the next month.  But that is not the only reason they like Halloween.  It is fun to be creative and dress up and step outside of the norm, but still fit in with others who are doing the same thing.  Until next year’s outfits…