Trick Or Treat!

Ugh -- Halloween & rain! I was worried this morning when I saw the rain & clouds, but luckily as the day progressed the weather cleared up. It was even a nice temperature for trick-or-treating. Jordan went along, too, although I think she "gave" Avery all her candy. Avery, however, is willing to give things that have nuts & coffee (i.e. toffee) back to Jordan (so that she can have it in her blend -- NOT!) or "share" them with Devon since he's the one that took her to all those houses. I guess Devon's going to score all the unwanted loot.

Horsey Avery & her horse jack-o-latern

Horsey Avery & her "scary" jack-o-lantern

This horsey is an Arabian (like "the Black Stallion" -- her favorite character right now): see how its tail sticks out? Getting ready to go

Toucan Jordan

Devon dressed up as Paul Revere and went trick-or-treating with them

Okay, now it's late and things are getting silly! That miniature horse is too small for Paul to make his midnight ride!

Trick-or-treating at nana Noma'sA rest for the horse & the toucan on nana Noma's lapEnough of the toucan suit! Jordan was glad to be out of it.

Neighbor Sarah was a gorgeous princess (Devon made candy apples for us to give out, although I accidentally got the credit since I stayed home to pass them out -- our neighbors should know by now who the real cook is in this house. . . . )Neighbor Sean was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (and not at all interested in getting his picture taken. . . .)

Jordan decorated this pumpkin this afternoon (with help, of course)

The jack-o-lanterns waiting for the trick-or-treaters (we only had 7 -- about what we expected, since our neighborhood is full of cul-de-sacs, has few street lights, and no sidewalks, so only the few local kids show up)

I was very disappointed that the owl pumpkin didn't last very long this week. . . . UGH! Must have been the nice, warm weather

Can't Get Enough

Despite my nagging, annoying cough, the weather was too wonderful to pass up another trip to the pumpkin patch on Monday. Avery & I picked up Arianna & Heather in Portland and drove out to Sauvie Island so they could get their pumpkins ready for Halloween on Friday. Avery was adamant about "No pictures, I did them last week," so most of the shots are of Arianna. Most were action shots, as the girls ran & ran & ran for the entire 1.5 hours we were there -- I had to beg for a few seconds of sitting still. Avery was asleep about 2 minutes after going to bed that night (following an "awake over" at Kate's the night before (was supposed to be a "sleep over" but you can guess by Kelly's description how it went . . . .), and ice skating lessons immediately after the pumpkin patch). So much to do, so little time! Such a wonderful place to be with friends -- and I love the pumpkin patch!

Arianna & Heather -- Arianna paused long enough for 2 shots only!

A rare shot of Avery on Monday

Silly girls!

running, running, running

Time to head home with the pumpkins

Avery's Pumpkin Carving

Avery & Devon carved her pumpkin on Sunday morning, and she found out first hand just how tiring it can be on your hand. This is the pumpkin of her own design (and about half of her carving -- luckily Devon was able to help her out).

Our very own Halloween spider web on the mailbox
Jordan watched us intently on Saturday as we were carving pumpkins -- or at least she had her eyes open

Jack-O-Lanterns

I got my pumpkins carved today -- there goes 6 hours down the drain. . . . A super big thanks to Devon (and Avery) for doing the dirty work! They got up and cleaned out the insides of the 5 big ones while I got to sleep in (and because my finger is still mangled & it would have taken me a lot longer to do it than the 1.5 hours they spent). There are 2 little ones to go, and Avery really wants to give it a try this year, so perhaps she & Devon will finish them up tomorrow.

Avery & her Black Stallion pumpkin -- the one she picked from the Vancouver pumpkin patch a couple of weeks ago

Pumpkins Pumpkins Everywhere

Sauvie Island Farms, October 2008

BFFs Kate & Avery (both 4.5 years old)

Kate did not think it was too funny when she fell in the mud at the end of the dayUntil Avery "accidentally" fell in, too, and couldn't quit laughing about it. Good thing we had some extra clothes back in the car, and a pumpkin bath . . . . Kate & her mom, Kelly