HALL-o-ween!

If there's anything Hall kids love more than being able to stay up to see darkness and the moon, it's being able to stay up for darkness, the moon, and begging your neighbors for candy. WITH your grandparents!

This year Ernie requested a ghoul costume of Grandma Bonnie, and basically told Lenora she was going to be a witch until she believed it was her own idea. Ernie found a "Scream" mask at a neighbor's garage sale, fell in love, and dictated his special-order design. He wanted a black tunic with raggedy sleeves and "gross stuff like maggots and dried ship's biscuits" on it. He wanted a black cape "long like Darth Vadar's but not touching the ground." Well, Grandma Bonnie did all that PLUS a detatchable hood and with nice touches like a spider on the cape's shoulder. When he saw that he declared it "Exactly what I wanted!"
Lenora was the most adorable witch in the world. She looks amazing in black and orange. She loved it when people would ask about their costume plans, saying "I witch! Ernie ghooooooul!"


And naturally witches carry cauldrons.

See the embroidered "gross stuff" on the front? The woman is genius.

And the g-rents Halls got festive, too!

Always a favorite stop on the trick-or-treating route: The Buchanans. Ernie politely asked "Would you like me to scare you?" before putting on his mask and saying "Blarhogojheohboheojgobjhogogh!" Lenora was worried she might have been too scary for Rob, so she took off her had and said "Is juss meeee! Tye it, tye it!" making him try it on.

We're still a bit slow going up steps, so the nine houses we visited took over an hour. But we're so darn cute and our neighbors are so generous we'll be eating candy until next Halloween.

And we can't wait to see the moon again.

Pumpkin Carvin' Par-TAY!

This party is becoming a standout for both kids, it seems. Ernie remembered so much about last year, and we had to do a daily countdown until the pumpkin carvin' party. I'm beginning to get worried I won't ever be able to vary the treat menu, because he always wants everything, and more!
Here's the boo-fet this year. Witches' hats, spooky smiles, pumpkin cupcakes, acorns, mini caramel apples, and frankenstein and ghost marshmallow pops.

Some serious carving people. This is a contest, you know!

A new tradition that we definately HAVE to repeat after its success this year: the haunted garage. We just had glow-stick ghosts hanging about with spooky sound effects and a ghoul in the doorway. Kitt insisted several times "I'm not going in there" before Ernie won him over. The boys spent most of the time ghostbusting after that.

In-between attacking hanging balloons and loading up on the unsupervised sugar-fest in the house, Ernie stopped to make a few stabs at a pumpkin.

Lenora loved the haunted garage as well. She mostly asked gentleman to accompany her "Tommon, Dussy, tommon." Replace Dusty with Joe, Grandpa, Rob. You get the idea. But her favorite party feature was the pile of leaves. Good thing Mom took care to remind Dad that we wanted a "no poo" pile.

The winner of "Best Sport" AND "Most Likely to Have Gone Home with Crushed Leaves in His Underpants" awards go to Dusty Walsh!

Here's our neighbor friend Janet carving her first pumpkin ever! She picked one with a super-thick rind, but did a great job and WON "Spookiest!"

Here's our pumpkin line-up. Other award-winners included Lisa Wells for "Most Traditional," Grandma Chris Mohr for "Most Original," and Grandpa Darrell Mohr for "Silliest." Way to go, Carvers!

And we've already got more ideas for next year . . .

Boo at the Zoo

The gang all met at our house once again for the stroller/wagon train to Boo at the Zoo. Can you imagine our newest crew member, Auggie, being any more adorable as Charlie Brown?

Making the trek and waiting in line.

I like to think I'm unbiased, but we bring the cutest kids to Boo at the Zoo. They are so lucky we come every year. Ernie wore his ghoul mask only when he felt like being scary, but Lenora was faithful to her broomstick accessory. When she said "tick ow teet!" to someone they asked if she had any tricks. After about a second's though, she straddled her broomstick and showed them how witches ride.

Spooky good times!

Duplo Architect

Ernie's been really into his Duplo lately, making all kinds of interesting new things. Here's one of his more highlyl-developed creations: a multi-zoned one-level living quarters for people and cows.

Last picnic of the year?

There may not be many sunny days left, so Dad took the kids to Antelope Park one afternoon to have a picnic lunch and play. We're sure going to miss the sunshine.

Valas and the Wellses

It wouldn't be October without a trip to Vala's Pumpkin Patch with our cousins Kittrick and Maisie.
First stop: train. How could we possibly do anything else first?

Last year Lenora couldn't even stand on her own. This year the girls ran around as much as their brothers.

And Ernie is much better at pedaling this year!

Goats remain popular, once again. Mom's not to proud to pick fallen feed pellets off the ground that other suckers paid $.25 for.

We almost lost Maisie when she saw this Vala's dragon from afar. That girl can sprint! If I ever want to get my goddaughter the perfect gift, it will be an 8' tall green dragon for her to hug.

Ernie got to try his first candied apple after we got home. No, we did not have time to put on pants after our nap. We were ready to try a candied apple first.

I two!

Lenora is TWO!!!

She's gone from baby to toddler just like that. *sniff sniff*
We started the day with her favorite meal: eggs and more eggs.

And for a special treat, Mom took a break from work to meet Daddy and Len at Mama's Dream Bakery for a mid-morning cupcake.

Aunt Laura couldn't be in town for Len's party day, so she came down to give her these adorable owls she made. Lenora loves playing with them. She named one Stella.

Mom tried to be crafty (it proved frustrating) and made this little craft table/chalkboard for Len out of our old bathroom medicine chest. She likes the chalkboard part, making marks and saying "I daw! I daw!"

But the ultimate smash-hit was Grandpa Darrell's and Grandma Chris's gift of Mom's old dollhouse. Grandpa originall made it when Mom was 2, and it's been refurbished and repainted for Len. Ernie woke up before the birthday girl and was beside himself he couldn't open up the doll family and start playing. Before Len was halfway down the stairs he was loudly reminding everyone "I get to be the Daddy! I get to be the Daddy!"

And basically that's what they did until I had to convince her to eat a cupcake. Dollhouse trumps cake.

Oh, ok, pumpkin cake with fire? Fine, I'll show up for that if I also get to wear a crown and bring my dolly to the table.

Happy Birthday to you!!!

"I pincess." There's no avoiding it, folks. Little girls want to be princesses.

Party people in the house. The g-rents Hall couldn't join us becasue poor Grandpa Denie was sick.

Mom and Dad got her magnetic wooden dolls. Prince and Princess, of course. She liked them fine, but just long enough for a break from the dollhouse.

But they were enough to entertain the grandparents since the kids were so absorbed in their new home.

Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes and wonderful gifts sent! Lenora loves being two!

Fall Feast with Aunt Laura

After our Roca trip and naps, we all went to Aunt Laura's apartment for a delicious, still dreaming about it, fall birthday feast.

The kids helped me unwrap my gifts and made sure that all Laura's seasonal decorations could withstand some vigorous play. Lenora made friends with the rubber black rat that decorated the kids' table.

Both kids played in Aunt Laura's costume closet quite a bit. Lenora decided that a black bride's veil was the perfect accessory for a fancy dinner at a real kids' table. The had plenty of patience miming eating at the kids table. I wish I could say they remained as patient when they were actually expected to eat there, but hey, that's what kids' tables are for.

Aunt Laura made me some gorgeous earrings, one pair using turkey feathers and one pair from some of Pearl's (albino snake at Pioneer Park) shedded skin. I love them.

Roca Berry Farm

One of the best things about having an October birthday is getting to go to a pumpkin patch for your birthday. Roca Berry Farm had made a lot of improvements this year!

The Magic School Bus was converted from a greenhouse to a corn bin.


We rode the track-less train once again.

Last year this covered slide was a bit too much for Ernie, but he did it about a dozen times this year. Lenora was happy to do it on everyone's lap.

And they installed inflatable jumping pillows. Aunt Laura was the most excited about this installation.

Ernie remains curious about the Haunted Forest (which only opens after dark). I know the instant he turns 15 this will be the thing he requests to do. We spent a long time looking over the locked bridge at the haunted area.

Until a huge sound-effect thunderbolt struck! He covered his ears and ran faster than I've ever seen him run!

Happy fall family!

Allergy-ridden fall family.

I love that I have another October birthday girl to share the pumpkin patch tradition with!