Happy Halloween

I wasn't a big fan of Halloween when I was little.  I never really liked dressing in costumes or walking up to strangers houses and asking them for candy, or roaming around in the dark and the cold, or seeing witches and skeletons and gravestones in peoples' yards.  But, now that I am all grown up and have children of my own, Halloween has become my favorite holiday.  It's a day that's just all about the fun - no big meals to cook, no presents to buy, no overblown expectations of my children that will end in tears (thinking of every single BIG birthday party I've thrown for them).   Joel and I have been celebrating Halloween as parents for a decade now and I've loved each and every one.

Halloween 2001
Dawn & Pumpkin Katie, Heather & Pea in a Pod Zoe,
Amy & Bumblebee Tyler, Julie and Hershey's Kiss Owen.
Looking back on it now, it's funny that Owen was a "Kiss"
considering he hates chocolate.

2002
Dr. Owen didn't get to go
trick-or-treating because he had an ear infection.

2003
Thomas the Tank Engine

2004
Halloween Party with
Will, Anna, Tyler, Katie and Owen

Also in 2004
 Sarah celebrated her very first  Halloween.
She was the tiniest cutest little ballerina ever!

2005
Power Ranger Owen and Dr. Sarah

2006
Cinderella Sarah and Ninja Owen
This Halloween has become the stuff of legend
at our house because of Sarah's enthusiastic
"HAPPY HALLOWEEN, LOLA" video.

2007
Owen "The Flash" Vallejo & Supergirl Sarah Grace
The only year I could ever get the two of them
on board with a Halloween theme. 
It was superheroes (in case that's not obvious).

2008
I honestly don't remember this Halloween.
This was days after Joel's mom passed away.
The Bart's took wonderful care of us and
made sure my kiddos had a fun night.

2009
Good Witch Katie, Owen as Anakin Skywalker, &
Anna and Sarah Grace as the cutest cats ever.

Also in 2009
Stacey and Brayden and Cooper and Victor had moved to Nashville.
And Joel had transformed himself.

2010
Owen was Ben 10 and was so proud of the costume he and Joel made.
Sarah was a Flower Child.

2011
"Bat to the Bone" Sarah G. has gone Girly Goth .
Pink Skulls are her thing right now.
Owen is dressed as "Superboy Conner Kent" from
the "Superboy" Comic Book Series.
He is NOT Superman.
He IS dressed in a costume.
He's the coolest 10 year old I know. Truly.

It's an oft repeated saying, but it's true - that the days are long, but the years are short.  Happy Halloween everybody.  I hope you made some wonderful memories.