I love Fall! I love the smell of the air and the excitement of upcoming holidays. I love saying goodbye to the threat of sunburn and getting to wear jackets. I love candy, which they hand out for free on a certain night this time of year.
As awesome as last year's Halloween was, I am just as happy spending it at home with all of our traditions, and making some new ones while we were at it.
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| Our super impressive pumpkin! (I told you our priorities were elsewhere.)
I remember my mom making these pumpkin-shaped cereal treats with us when we were younger and this year I decided to make them with my own girls. My craving for Rice Krispy treats may have been a small motivator.
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| Completely amazed by Dad's ability to make a bow out of candy corn. |
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| Not sure what this face is, but it's so Ellia. |
Normally I am all about making my kids' Halloween costumes. This year we did something a little different by wearing some vintage costumes from the collection of my Grandma Payne, who recently passed away. She was the only grandparent I have ever known and she was extraordinary. Ask anyone. She sewed most of the costumes herself, and I thought it would be a fun tribute to her (who, by the way, was also a huge fan of candy--namely chocolate.)
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| Ava the gypsy |
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| A slightly bigger gap in her smile, thanks to lost tooth #2. |
Ellia had decided on her costume long ago so she didn't wear one of Grandma's. But holy cow, have you ever seen a cuter Peter Pan?
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| Feel free to never grow up. |
Earlier this week Ellia's preschool put on a Halloween program. Can you find her among the princesses and fairies? I'm so glad she's not afraid to be herself and stand out in a crowd.
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| Fiona as Little Red Riding Hood |
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| What a cute face you have! The better to manipulate you with. |
After collecting a sufficient amount of candy, we finished off our Halloween traditions with my mom's homemade chili, and a bedtime showing of "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." I insist on watching it every Halloween. Apparently I keep forgetting how boring it is. But I can guarantee that come next year I will be searching TiVo for it once again.
Speaking of Charlie Brown...
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| My nephew, Callen, who did not receive any rocks while trick-or-treating. |
Since he was a baby, I had been telling my sister that he would make a perfect Charlie Brown. She finally humored me. And I was totally right. As always. ;)
Happy Fall!
