It was definitely a fun-filled weekend, but also extremely busy. Thursday, the 29th, James headed up to Bagdad to help out at the ranch so it was up to me to finish packing up the kids and get on the road. Miraculously, we made it out by noon, complete with bombs set to rid our house of the sugar ants that have moved in, the platter to return to Leah, Halloween costumes, pack-n-plays, clothes to exchance while in Mesa and the slip for Lisa's wedding dress. To say the least, we were packed to the hilt!
After a few errands, we finally left the Tucson city limits around 2pm. The kids slept very little but did well on the 2-hour drive to Grandma and Grandpa's anyway.
When we got there, the kids immediately went to work dismantling any decorations they could find.
Or merely just hoarding them.
Grandma was suckered into letting the kids practice their trick-or-treating skills.
Callie is Grandpa's girl. The minute he walked through the door, she headed straight for him, only taking a quick detour to make sure he had a hat to put on.
King of the rocking chair. Complete with chocolate smile.
Callie decided it was her turn to wake up early the next morning and got me up at 5am. Not so nice! Another miracle and the kids helped me pick up toys and we were able to depart around 9:30 for Mesa to meet Amy and the kids. I had to call her halfway there to keep myself awake. Thank heaven for cell phones and bluetooths! (Blue teeth?)AMY'S - THE MAKING OF GRANDPA KADEN
We spent Halloween with my sister, Amy, and her family. For years, she has tried to convince her son, Kaden, to be a grandpa. He has the best grandpa voice. This year, he finally gave in. (Good thing because this could be his last year trick-or-treating.)
The before...
Trimming it all even.
The rapidly receding hairline.
We had a little trouble deciding how far back to go but agreed she should go past the cowlick.
Looking good... Perhaps a little thick.
And the kicker - he let Amy shave the bald spot.
Slow going so she recruited the expert. (Now how often do you see a generational bald shot, huh?)
The finishing touches.
Not bad, eh?
SCHNEPF FARMS - HALLOWEEN MORNINGWe took the kids to Schnepf Farms the next day. Unfortunately, the pumpkins were pretty picked over, so we didn't got too many good pictures with the pumpkins.
Grandpa Kaden all decked out. Don't you love the suspenders and the pants?
Makayla as the Princess Bride.
Dillon as the cutest pumpkin in the patch.
Callie as Pebbles Flintstone. (A special thanks to Grandma for making the costumes for Landon and Callie.)
The first shot of Pebbles and BamBam together. (Landon kept trying to strip down completely. Never could get him to wear the hat. =( ).
The twins both wanted to be held constantly so Uncle Ray/mechanic dude took pity on me and took Callie on the bumblebee ride. Deep down, I think he enjoyed it. Really deep down...
We got to the farm a little later than planned (they open at 10 but we didn't make it until after 11) so the kids were ready for lunch and naps before too long and Aunt Amy saved the day with bags of fruit snacks.
My only shot of our three together at the farm. Aren't they cute?!
The group shot. We all dressed up because you get half off the entry fee for dressing up on Halloween. I was amazed at how many people didn't even make the most feeble attempt.
Cutest bees...
Aunt Lisa and Uncle Travis also showed up to even out the kid-to-adult ratio and we were able to take all the kids on the bumblebee ride.
Notice Landon's kissy lips. What a ham!
I LOVE this shot of Trevy and Makayla. What cute cousins!
By 1:30, we were well past naptime. Neither of the twins lasted the 15-minute drive back to Amy's. I was even able to transfer them to their beds when we got there and they slept for a couple of hours.
We got to the farm a little later than planned (they open at 10 but we didn't make it until after 11) so the kids were ready for lunch and naps before too long and Aunt Amy saved the day with bags of fruit snacks.
My only shot of our three together at the farm. Aren't they cute?!
The group shot. We all dressed up because you get half off the entry fee for dressing up on Halloween. I was amazed at how many people didn't even make the most feeble attempt.
Cutest bees...
Aunt Lisa and Uncle Travis also showed up to even out the kid-to-adult ratio and we were able to take all the kids on the bumblebee ride.
Notice Landon's kissy lips. What a ham!
I LOVE this shot of Trevy and Makayla. What cute cousins!
By 1:30, we were well past naptime. Neither of the twins lasted the 15-minute drive back to Amy's. I was even able to transfer them to their beds when we got there and they slept for a couple of hours.Something so angelic about sleeping children...
THE BLOCK PARTY
THE BLOCK PARTYWhat an amazing moon! Too bad I don't know how to figure out which lens would get me a real close-up!
Some of the neighbors in Amy and Ray's community blocked off one street and they had a pot-luck dinner.
There were a number of little riding toys out and the kids loved them. Here's Ninja Alice. Trevy wouldn't leave her headband on the way I put it. Thank goodness she trusts Aunt Amy a little more and Amy fixed it before we actually went trick-or-treating.
Landon LOVED the Cozy Coupe. Guess what we're looking for for him for Christmas?
He was not a big fan of sharing.
Friends of ours, Ed and Janice, came with their kids as well. Here's Grandpa Kaden shooting the breeze with mummy Ethan.
And out sweetest pumpkin by day was magically transformed into a cute little lion by night. Here he is with his pretty mommy, dressed as a ladybug.
The full effect.
Princess Buttercup and BamBam. He did finally leave the strap up. Still no hat, though.
Ready to go!
We lost the little bone for Pebbles' hair in the morning, so we had to improvise with some cotton balls and a Q-tip. Not too bad, huh? Fortunately, Callie latched onto Uncle Travis so all the kids had someone to hold their hand. (Or carry them, as was often the case.)
Alice impatiently waiting for food.
Note the skill - she's eating her ketchup with a knife. Dinner of champions!
Mummy Ethan.
Pretty scarecrow Megan.
And Brendon as Prince Phillip.
Some of the neighbors in Amy and Ray's community blocked off one street and they had a pot-luck dinner.
There were a number of little riding toys out and the kids loved them. Here's Ninja Alice. Trevy wouldn't leave her headband on the way I put it. Thank goodness she trusts Aunt Amy a little more and Amy fixed it before we actually went trick-or-treating.
Landon LOVED the Cozy Coupe. Guess what we're looking for for him for Christmas?
He was not a big fan of sharing.
Friends of ours, Ed and Janice, came with their kids as well. Here's Grandpa Kaden shooting the breeze with mummy Ethan.
And out sweetest pumpkin by day was magically transformed into a cute little lion by night. Here he is with his pretty mommy, dressed as a ladybug.
The full effect.
Princess Buttercup and BamBam. He did finally leave the strap up. Still no hat, though.
Ready to go!
We lost the little bone for Pebbles' hair in the morning, so we had to improvise with some cotton balls and a Q-tip. Not too bad, huh? Fortunately, Callie latched onto Uncle Travis so all the kids had someone to hold their hand. (Or carry them, as was often the case.)
Alice impatiently waiting for food.
Note the skill - she's eating her ketchup with a knife. Dinner of champions!
Mummy Ethan.
Pretty scarecrow Megan.
And Brendon as Prince Phillip.
TRICK-OR-TREATING
After months of begging to go trick-or-treating (seriously, Trevy's been asking since June!), I couldn't believe how hard it was to get the kids away from the car to go. Thank heaven for Lisa and Travis!
Lisa took Callie to get her first candy. What a cutie!
This is why Landon and I got behind everyone. He just liked to sit on the decorations!
The kids made an absolute haul! Very few people gave only one piece of candy. I think after about 8:00, most people were just trying to get rid of what they had left.
Here's Amy with the candy we had leftover. (I never even got to open our bag!)
Lisa took Callie to get her first candy. What a cutie!
This is why Landon and I got behind everyone. He just liked to sit on the decorations!
The kids made an absolute haul! Very few people gave only one piece of candy. I think after about 8:00, most people were just trying to get rid of what they had left. Kaden probably scored the most candy of the night, though. At one point, Landon and I were with him at a door and a husband and wife answered. She was holding the candy. Her husband said, "Dude, that is the best costume ever. Give him an extra piece." Then he himself grabbed a handful and dumped it in Kaden's bag, putting him closer to Kaden. So then he asked, "Did you actually shave your head?! That's awesome!" Another handful!
We all think there will be a few more geezers out there next year.
Here's Amy with the candy we had leftover. (I never even got to open our bag!)Brendon was more than happy to help give it a nice home. 
Amazingly enough, we didn't get home until almost 9 and the kids were still going pretty strong.
Some cute shots of Landon in the laundry basket.
Cute niece and nephew.
Amazingly enough, we didn't get home until almost 9 and the kids were still going pretty strong.
THE DAY AFTER
No one had a hard time falling asleep that night, but they still got up bright and early, just as cute as ever.
The twins playing with the Oreo game.
Some cute shots of Landon in the laundry basket.
Cute niece and nephew.
Callie was loving on Cooper (one of Ray and Amy's dogs) all weekend. Isn't this a sweet shot?
Landon's turn.
We headed for home Sunday around 4. I thought that would give me plenty of time to get us home and get the kids in bed by 7. Maybe, had it not been for the Cocoa Pebbles incident.
Landon pulled the bag out, grabbed it by the bottom and dumped it all over the floor. Then he and Callie danced on it and ate what they could.
Then Landon went for the goldfish in the bag. Not a chance, son!
Landon's turn.
We headed for home Sunday around 4. I thought that would give me plenty of time to get us home and get the kids in bed by 7. Maybe, had it not been for the Cocoa Pebbles incident.
Landon pulled the bag out, grabbed it by the bottom and dumped it all over the floor. Then he and Callie danced on it and ate what they could.
Then Landon went for the goldfish in the bag. Not a chance, son!
A very fun weekend had by all. Amy and I have decided to make this an annual event for us to get together. We've done it now 3 years in a row and everyone has had a great time.
No comments:
Post a Comment