Halloween 2008

We quite a fun Halloween this year. No, we did not get as into dressing up as we did the last two years. I think I got a little worn out last year, so this year we just bought costumes. In 2006, Zane was a Dragon, I was a Damsel In Distress and Mike was my Knight In Shining Armor.

We were the Wonka family in 2007. Mike was Willy Wonka, I was a Wonka Bar and Zane was an Oompa Loompa.
I bought a beautiful pumpkin a few weeks ago. I thought that Zane would love helping me clean out the pumpkin and carve a design. I printed off several patterns and let him pick. He quickly picked the spider and we set to work. Unfortunately, Zane did not want any part of cleaning out the pumpkin.
He refused to get his hands dirty. He did, however, want to play with the little knives and scoop in the carving kit.
Rubi was also watching, but she only wanted to eat the pumpkin.
I had a good time carving the pumpkin though. I think that the spider turned out really cute.
Nate had a good time swinging outside and watching the kids play.
Emily came over to play while her mom went to help with Andrea's class party. The kids ate lunch, played and then went down for a nap so that they would be ready for Trick-or-Treating. After they woke up, we went to my parent's house for dinner and Halloween fun. Julie made yummy enchiladas and I made some great empanadas. I will post the recipe later. My dad always makes homemade rootbeer and Kettle Korn to pass out with the candy. They went through 12 1/2 gallons of rootbeer and more than 5 pounds of popcorn kernels. I would say that they had a pretty successful night!
Zane had a great time Trick-Or Treating, even though it was 82 degrees at 7 pm and he was dying of heat. (We joked that we could have gone as Synchronized swimmers or Michael Phelps in a swimsuit and been nice and comfy.) He really loved going up to the doors and holding out his pumpkin to get candy. Nate didn't wear his costume too long, since it was too hot (did I mention it was hot?) but enjoyed the ride in the stroller and wagon.
Here are the jolly Trick-or-Treatees. Zane says "Look at my Monkey Loot!" Andrea the princess, Jayden the cowboy (not much of a stretch for those two on their costumes.) and Emily as Tinkerbell. Ayla was Minnie Mouse, but was with the other side of the family several houses behind us since the older kids were too excited to wait.
The stuffing on the butt made his butt waddle as he walked. It was so funny. He made the cutest monkey.
I borrowed some mouse ears and a mouse nose from Mike's mom and Mike went as a motorcyclist (not really, he was just leaving when we took the picture, but he looks like he is wearing a costume). Nate was a skunk that said "Lil Stinker" in a heart on the butt, but my camera ran out of batteries so all the good pictures are on Christi's camera. I know these next pictures are bad, but I wanted to post and will repost new pictures when I get them.
He was the cutest "Lil Stinker" I ever saw!After we got back and were all cleaned up, Zane came in with Pa dressed as a construction worker, complete with a new scratch on his head.
He definitely had a full day and is out like a light now! Happy Halloween!