Spooky Week Indeed...

When did Halloween become a long drawn out week long thing?  I think my kids dressed up in their costumes at least a dozen times and we had more candy than sam's club before the 31st.  But it was fun and once again the boys loved their costumes.  Braden REALLY wanted to be Curious George, but all the costumes were cheesy, and then I couldn't find a 'Man with the Yellow Hat' costume for Berk- and I wimped out on making one.  I love that they boys will still let me theme them, and I will be sad when they no longer let their mom choose the costumes.  

So Braden went as Orville Richard Burell and Berk was Scoobert Doo. 

Aka Shaggy & Scooby

So Monday, we had our annual Mortensen family party.  I would say there are like 9000 people there. Okay not really, but there are about 60 kids under 18, add in each of their parents, and their parents and then four sets of sibling Great Grandparents that are responsible for the whole thing, and it feels like an arena full. We eat, play games, do a parade and chair or treat (well what do you call it when you sit in a HUGE circle and they go chair to chair for goodies?).  Berk liked the game I was in charge of (meaning my MIL did all the work and I got to just look busy) because it involved throwing baby pumpkins- and sorry to everyone he hit, his aim isn't so good.  Braden really enjoyed the games and went through it all without one of us right by his side, he is finally getting more independent.  Berk just wanted to 'WING' all night and watch the neighboring horses.  Best costume in my opinion was Rusty's cousin Josh as Michael Phelps, complete with medals, goggles and speedo.  Way to work it.

Tuesday was our Ward's Trunk or Treat.  As always the chili is yummy and the corn bread is divine.  Our friends the Farnsworth's came and made the night even more fun.  My only conundrum was why it was in the cultural hall, there were so many people, and not enough room.  There were kids everywhere! But I guess all the plate juggling, stroller stumbling and chair saving made it all the more fun.  

Thursday, Braden went back to preschool for Halloween party there.  I tell you, that kid will be so miffed when he can't go back next year because he will be in 1st grade all day.  He loves it there.  (I don't have photos, my camera was in my car, which was at the shop, along with the rest of my purse including my house keys & wallet, having the AC worked on for the third time since August-but I digress-that horrid day warrants its own post later. ) 

Friday, the big day.  By the way, Happy Birthday to three of my cousins who share that scary date of birth.  So many people have that birthday- I am a little surprised.

 Braden's school had a kindergarten Fall Festival, and I got to go and work a station.  It got so hot they ended a little early, which was fine by me-my hands were covered in spaghetti noddle goop and Braden was already on a sugar high by 10 am.  I love his class picture- look at the faces of all the kids- we had them looking right at the sun, hilarious.  

Then, in the afternoon we went my my Mom's ward block party. After taking photos of all the cousins, my sister's families and us headed over there.  

We have gone for the last few years, and it is so fun.  They block off an entire street have food, games ect.  It is especially fun since we know so many people in my parent's ward.  We got to see the Schilds, MacNabs, Chappels, VanSteenkists, Eaglestons, Goodmans- whew, I know I missed some.
 After getting appropriately sugared up we drove home and headed out trick or treating.  We thought Berk would only last a house or two, but they both walked the length of our street, both sides before they were ready for a break.  They went back out with Rusty while I was on door duty.  By 8 I was ready to have my boys in bed, so I flipped the light out and worked on peeling them off the ceiling.  By 9 pm, after being called a 'freak' by my hubby-loves to you anyway dear- I had all my spooky, glittery decorations down.  

Today we sorted the candy to give to the Great Pumpkin before we headed to Braden's soccer game.  (If you don't know what the premise of the GP is, it basically helps to par down the amount of candy your little one has.  We leave a bag filled with candy, after letting them each fill a small ziploc, on the doorstep the night or two after the 31st.  Then the Great Pumpkin comes and takes the candy, and leaves them a gift, prize or in this lazy lady's case -money.  Then a lot of dentist/ortho offices do a candy buy back thing where they pay you for the candy you turn in and then donate it to the troops.  Fun huh? 

Tonight, driving to dinner, we saw two houses, side by side decked out in full blown Christmas lights, complete with lawn ornaments, and those big blow-up snow globes.  Even I am not that big of a 'freak'. Turkey day is my absolute limit for busting out the red and green.