Thursday, November 11, 2010

Trunk or Treat, Trick or Treat

Our Halloween festivities included a trip to Trunk or Treat at the church on Saturday, and a tour of the neighborhood as an African Safari (it's no three dog night, but the costumes were cute, and the kids loved them).
James - the zebra on the savanna (or as we call it in Haslet, the prairie).
Ryan the Lion - king of the cats, and king of hearts.
Michael the giraffe - our tallest and most spotted of African animals.
The whole gang hanging out at Trunk or Treat. We didn't decorate and tried to compensate with our full size candy bars.
Ryan attempts to trick or treat at our car. I wonder if he was successful.
Aunt Mellie's toes were fascinating. All of the kids kept trying to capture them.
My three little men making mischief.
James and Aunt Mellie.
Michael and Mommy. Michael had a wee bit of trouble at Trunk or Treat (he would have rather been napping, but a sucker changed his whole world).
Fashionista (Fashionisto?) James.
Ryan decides he needs to run the gauntlet again.
James conquers his chair.
Pam and Ryan take stock of their surroundings.
Post-Trunk or Treating playground fun.
James loved being up high. He refused to come down.
Ryan took a fancy to the sandbox.
Halloween night, the gang is ready for an outing.
Mmmm, pumpkins are tasty and fun.
Princess Leia and her animal pals ready to hit the neighborhood.
Who knew Frankie hangs out in Haslet.
On the move.
Ryan preferred to ride it out while James pushed him forward.
My main pusher.
The grandmas and Michael.
Two outta three aunts ain't bad.
Daddy takes over wagon duty.
On the way home. Mom & Dad enjoyed all the chewy candy, and the kids are still pretty fond of suckers (James has to have one for each hand).

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Carving (Albeit Past Due)

I am truly behind on this chronicle of our lives as I am just now posting about carving our pumpkin when it's almost time to eat turkey, but the boys have gotten so active that I rarely find time to browse online and/or open the computer (also, I've been addicted to the Steig Larson books and spending my spare moments with the Swedes).
Ryan takes a taste of our pumpkin. It must pass the RCN test as he spent several minutes chewing on the top.
This face pretty much sums up what Michael thought of the whole pumpkin carving tradition/execution.
My main helper was my eldest child (who by the way has become a great hugger - he holds on tight and pats you on the back - LOVE IT!).
Ryan observes from his post with Aunt Sue.
Daddy tests out the pumpkin sound system. James found it quite delightful.
Aunt Faith scoops out the guts with the best of them. This year, she cut the nose all by herself (which was quite a feat for her and her control freak of a sister).
Michael spends some time with Grandma. I guess she's got the magic touch. Michael's happy, a Halloween Miracle.
The family observes the artistic carving that is taking place on the table.
James does some scooping of his own.
Mommy cuts, James scoops, it's the perfect pair.
Aunt Sue entertains the Ry-man.
James takes his pumpkin carving seriously (note the smattering of pumpkin guts on his brow). Tragically, this is the best picture I have of the pumpkin - I totally forgot to take a picture of the finished project. I also forgot to put it out for Halloween, and I forgot to light it up for the kids, so I guess this year just wasn't the year of the pumpkin at the Newhouses).

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Boo at the Zoo

Brothers!
Michael hides in the camouflage of the stroller.
James wants to see the cheetahs, too.
Ryan and Grandpa look at the animals.
Ryan poses with the scarecrows.
Two out of three.
Two out of three.
Take the picture quick!
Michael hangs out with the pumpkins.
Mommy's favorite Zebra.
Her favorite giraffe.
The cutest lion in the zoo.
James looks at the fish. He was fascinated by the turtles.
Michael checks things out.
Ryan is fascinated by reptiles.
Michael wants to check out the spiders.
Ryan points.
Grandma & Grandpa's boys.
Mommy's main men!
Aunt Sue & Uncle JP.
Like his father, James was enraptured by the music.


Mommy's multi-talented - hair pulling, elephant watching, and picture taking.