Collecting Moments: Halloween Celebrations and Activites

I'm never thrilled to spend money on costumes each year, but I end up doing it every year because I'm a sucker for their little wishes and how cute they look in them. I am not (yet:)) crafty enough to make them, although I hope to get there someday. I love watching them get SO excited to wear their costumes! One thing I like about having costumes that we don't have to return (if borrowed) is that we can add them to our costume box, which serves as a fun dress up box for the boys and their neighborhood friends. I took the older boys out shopping for their costumes, and that was a struggle. There just isn't anything very good for boys to be that don't cost an arm and a leg. But in the end, they were happy and I was happy with their choices. This year, I was really happy with this cute Monster costume I found at Old Navy for Cooper. It couldn't be any cuter. He, however, was not such a fan. It took weeks to get him comfortable with even going near it. We practiced hugging it and rubbing it's head and calling it a nice monster. Something about those horns and the one eyeball sitting on top of his head was not so comforting to him.

Our first celebration of the year was a work party. We had a great BBQ potluck and then games and trick or treating to all of the loan officer's rooms. Cooper still refused to put his costume on, but I brought it anyway. Somehow, his aunt, who was also there, got him to put it on for her (go figure). I was so happy to see him finally wearing it. So adorable!

He doesn't look so thrilled though, does he?:)

Cooper and Hallie. Too cute.

Rich got suckered into cooking all the meat. Remember those glasses from the Tuacahn post?

He didn't seem to mind though.

Julien wanted to be a boxer this year. Are you surprised? Jordan had the same idea. They are cousins. Did I mention a TON of our family work there? So they had cousins galore there.

Jonah decided on being a fighting ninja this year. He was pretty excited about that! More cousins...

The boys in Dad's office..

Fun night!

Somewhere in there we had a Ward- church party, but the pictures didn't turn out that great.

We did a little pumpkin carving at home. Julien was a little grossed out by it this year, but Jonah and Cooper loved helping me with it.

Yeah, we don't get too daring with our designs. Maybe someday.

Next, Cooper and I attended the boy's school costume parade. It was HOT outside that day. I felt bad for the kids, but they sure looked cute!

Again, not very good pictures. I liked what's taking place in this one though...Jonah's class walking by Julien's and Julien reaching out to give his little bro a five.

Finally, Halloween night came. We went trick or treating with some of our neighbors.

They like to start early in the evening.:)

A little later, we drove over to some other neighborhoods. Our first stop was at this house (a friend of our neighbor's), which was decked out and pretty creepy.