Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

We had lots of fun preparing for and enjoying Halloween.

Last weekend, Michelle and Brian came over and carved pumpkins with us.

Sarah thought the trick-or-treat pumpkin was interesting...and tasty.

Sarah wanted to help with the pumpkins too.

Austin helped scoop out the guts.

The results...

Steve carved a "Lumpy" (from Winnie the Pooh) pumpkin for Austin and Michelle and Brian made the Notre Dame pumpkins.

Auntie PiPi sent the kids a cute Halloween card that Austin carried around with him for days.  Gramma and PopPop surprised us with a Halloween cookie bouquet.  Here are Austin and Steve enjoying some of the special cookies.

This weekend, we had another painful Notre Dame football loss, but Austin and I got a little snuggle time while watching the game. He had fun pointing out letters and numbers he identified on the screen.

Then on to Halloween...

Sarah was an adorable little lamb!

Austin was King Kandy from Candyland.

Even though she had just woken up from a nap, she was as adorable as ever and ready for Halloween fun.

Ready to go...

Sarah checking out Austin's costume.

My cuties!

We went to the local mall where they were having some music, kids programs, police and firefighter visits and trick-or-treating at the stores.  The place was mobbed with cute costumed kids.  Here are Austin and Sarah amidst the mayhem.

Then trick-or-treating at Nanny and Grandpa's house.

Sarah playing at home before trick-or-treating in the neighborhood.

Heading out to trick-or-treat in our new neighborhood.

The trick-or-treating crew - Grandpa and Uncle Brian with beer in hand, Auntie Michelle pushing the stroller, and Austin eagerly identifying houses with the lights on to trick-or-treat at. 

We went to our neighbors' house across the street first and when prompted to say "Trick or Treat," Austin replied "No, I will not."  He wouldn't take the candy either.  The candy was handed to me and I gave it to him, then encouraged him to say "Thank you," which he refused to as well.  However, by the 2nd house, he was right on track...full of "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you" at every house.  We were following a couple of kids dressed as Elmo and Big Bird for a while, and Austin said "Hi Elmo!" and/or "Hi Big Bird" to them at almost every house.  They were very sweet and patient with him and Big Bird even stopped to help Austin pick up his candy when he tripped on a step and spilled some of the candy out of his pumpkin bucket.  We had fun trick or treating and Sarah enjoyed riding in the stroller and watching all the activity.  Then it was back to our house for dinner. Nanny made some yummy turkey chili and then we enjoyed some Halloween candy and treats. 

It was a great (but very busy) weekend.  Back to work tomorrow.  We're having fun planning for Austin's birthday party in a couple weeks.  The cake has been in the planning stage for over a month now...it should be great!

We also have Austin's 4 year old pictures and Sarahs' 9 month old photos coming soon!