Halloween

Halloween in Utah isn't quite the same as it was in North Carolina, but it is still fun. Emily & Kyle had a school Halloween concert, we carved pumpkins, and lit one on fire after a YouTube video Jeff and Aaron found and wanted to replicate. It was pretty cool.

Halloween

For probably the 3rd or 4th year in a row, Aaron is Yoda for Halloween. I mean, when you are the cutest Yoda out there, why not repeat it? Kyle was Kyle Ren and Emily made her witch costume. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of them because they were off with their friends to trick or treat. We did run into them briefly when we were taking Aaron trick or treating. 

Halloween

For the first time, the kids were allowed to wear their costumes to school on Halloween. I remember Halloween at school as kids where we had fun parties and enjoyed getting to wear our costumes (in elementary school at least). We recycled costumes again this year with a Star Wars theme. Emily dressed a bit outside the Star Wars theme with a sorceress costume she put together based upon a book she is reading. 

Halloween

Halloween in Salt Lake City is way different than the Halloweens we had back in Raleigh. Then again, Utah is very different than Raleigh. 

Our neighbors have ghosts holding hands. 

We went for a hay ride to pick out some pumpkins at the pumpkin patch. 

We carved pumpkins at home on our deck and lit the fire pit for some post-carving s'mores. 

Jeff made his classic face on a pumpkin, Kyle carved a monkey, Emily a wolf howling at the moon, and I carved Darth Vader and Yoda for myself and Aaron. 

Happy Halloween!!

And now for the full neighborhood Halloween party on Halloween. Our neighborhood sure likes Halloween. 

Halloween party

Our neighbors have hosted a pretty rockin' Halloween party on the culdesac each year that we have lived here. All of the neighborhood and more came out to partake in the festivities. Last year, we were meeting people for the first time. In masks and costume. Made for a beast of a year trying to figure out who everyone was without a mask or costume on. As if we weren't already bad enough with names. This year, we are starting to get it all figured out. 

Star Wars practice

Because you know, you have to practice your light saber fighting skills. In costume. Before Halloween. Anytime. 

Darth Vader v. Yoda & Princess Leia

Darth Vader v. Luke Skywalker

Halloween prep

I'll give you one guess as to what we are going to be for Halloween. We figure our years are numbered for doing a family coordinated Halloween costume set. So we're making the most of it while the kids will still allow it. For now, they aren't too cool for us. Our days are numbered though. So yes, Jeff is Darth Vader, I am Padme Amidala, the twins are Luke & Leia, and Aaron is Yoda. 

Aaron practicing his light saber skills with our neighbor. Brett taught Aaron how to use the force. Mind blown. 

I think Em's costume is the best one. Isn't she adorable? 

Darth, you may be my father, but I will still light saber your. 

Darth Yoda. Never seen that one before. 

Halloween candy

For Halloween, we have a rule / tradition / routine / call it what you want that you get to keep your age plus one pieces of candy. So this year, Emily & Kyle got to choose 8 pieces of candy to keep and eat whenever they want (within reason). It is now December when I'm posting this and they both still have several pieces left. The rest of the candy gets tossed, donated and used in science experiments. Emily and I had a great time doing different experiments with the candy that show how the oils separate and how the colors behave and how you can float the edible inks. 

Halloween

Here's a sneak peek of our Halloween costumes... 

Kyle & Emily with their fellow classmate at school and Hogwarts

Dumbledore and Hedwig

Dumbledore, McGonagall, Hermione, Harry & Hedwig

Costumes

It's nearly Halloween so the kids are getting into it! Jeff brought Aaron some monster feet home from Philly. Kyle dug out his monkey costume. Emily borrowed her friend's Indian dress. Simon dressed up as a dragon. And they all goofed around in their costumes excited about Halloween! 

Painting pumpkins

In an effort to get into the Halloween spirit, we picked up some pumpkins (from Trader Joe's mini pumpkin patch) and brought them home to paint. I'm not sure it's any less messy than carving, but the kids had fun nonetheless. Kyle & Emily painted theirs with Harry Potter characters. Aaron just painted his Aaron style. And the wall. And the ground. Aaron style. :-)