Halloween is over Already!

I just had to post this picture because I'm so glad our neighbors Halloween decorations are FINALLY down.

This is what was starring through my kitchen window everyday. I can't count the times I would be walking around the kitchen or family room and think someone was looking in my window only to be relieved when I realized it was just the scary skeleton ghoul peering in. But the worst was when the kids and I were dancing around in the family room, I turned suddenly and gave a little yelp because I thought someone was at the window! So I'm really relieved the ghoulish skeleton is not looking through my window any more!

Another funny thing happened with the neighbors Halloween display. It was around 11:30 at night when Chuck and I were finally getting into bed only to discover a flashing strobe light coming through our bedroom window. The strobe was supposed to light up the Halloween display only it was already 2 days after Halloween. So Chuck, who knew I was going to get very ornery about a strobe light flashing into our bedroom all night, took matters into his own hands by going next door and unplugging the light. Now we're both glad the decorations are finally put away - until next year!

Disneyland!

We just got back from a fun family vacation to Disneyland - don't let the kids faces fool you - we all had a wonderful time!

And it wouldn't be one of our family trips if there weren't some exciting events that took place.

* Let's just say even with 6 adults it's hard to keep track of 6 kids when the oldest is 5. A few of them may or may not have been lost during the course of the trip.
* Bella is still the most accident prone girl I know and they really should make those fences so kids can't get their legs stuck in them!
* Getting your kid picked to fight Darth Vader is serious business and you must do whatever it takes to make it happen!
* Seeing all of the Princesses is also serious business and you must try several different times over multiple days before you manage to see the most important ones!
* Viewing the new World of Color light and water show/watching the parades/getting to the park early and staying until closing is essential even if it means all the kids are falling over with exhaustion!
* You really don't NEED to sleep for a week. Just spend several nights with lots of little kids in a hotel room and you'll find out!
* With a caravan in the California traffic some drivers need a little more than a few seconds notice or they may miss the correct exit a time or two!
* It wouldn't be a family trip to Disneyland without a little throw up!
* And after all the crazy adventures, we all still LOVE Disneyland!!!!!

And I must say, traveling long distances in the minivan is FABULOUS!

Superheroes

Our theme for Halloween this year was Superheroes.

This would not have been My first choice, but Bella saw the pink superhero costume and just had to have it. It worked out well because Samuel really wanted to be a Power Ranger anyway. I couldn't find a baby superhero costume so I made Jenna's skirt and cape. And I must say they're a cute group!

This picture cracks me up because everyone is looking a different direction except at the camera.

The kids were having a great time running all around pretending to be superheroes while I was trying to get a few pictures. They wrestle and play fight each other all the time so the costumes just added to the excitement. Samuel and Bella also have a pretend superhero game they play with their action figures almost every day. The poor toys have been through quite a lot during this game. Let's just say that the superhero Barbie no longer has legs.

Sweet Super Baby Jenna.

It's been awhile since I've sewn anything and while I was sewing her skirt I realized I miss it. There's just not enough hours in the day or week or month for that mater to do All the things I would like to do. Tis the season of life!

Isaac was super cute in his superman outfit. He's built like a brick so he looked adorable walking around in his little padded costume.

A pink superhero - fits Bella perfectly!

Samuel in his Power Ranger pose.

A little Halloween Trivia
Question: How long does it take to get 4 kids dressed in their costumes?
Answer: Exactly 1/2 hour. I know because I did it 4 different times for all of them within a couple of days. It's quite an effort to get everyone ready!

What your child looks like when according to them "it's the worst Halloween ever!!!"

Let's just say I was a little too on top of things Saturday evening. I started getting the kids ready to go Trick or Treating at 4:30 and by 5 we were out the door. NO ONE and I mean NO ONE else was out at 5, believe me we looked everywhere. Maybe no one else had a laundry room that was torn apart and needed to get back home so their husband could finish a big project we'd started, or maybe other parents thought it was not okay that their kids ate only candy for dinner - oh wait we'd never do that either! Anyway, there were no other kids out that early that we could see anywhere. Chuck told the kids as soon as we saw other trick or treaters we would stop. Well, we drove around for quite awhile and everyone was getting pretty upset, especially Samuel. Luckily as soon as the kids went to the first door they quickly forgot that this had been declared the worst Halloween ever.