Halloween Adventures

It's funny how extensive our Halloween festivities became... especially as I kept mentally declaring that I must not be much of a Halloween girl.  Having Anni makes me put a lot more effort into holidays... who doesn't love creating something just a little bit wondrous and magical for a toddler to gasp and say, "Oh, wow, I yike that!"

We started the day off as all good days should begin... a favorite dinosaur shirt and a mid-morning cookie shaped like a big ole pumpkin.  We decided to skip neighborhood trick-or-treating for a variety of reasons (possibly super scary costumes/decorations in an unfamiliar neighborhood most likely wouldn't be a joy for a little girl who takes after her mommy with a bit of a shy and introverted personality).  She did snag a piece of candy from a neighboring apartment's bucket outside their door, but, don't worry, we had several days of fun ahead.

Miss Anni was St. Kateri Tekakwitha this year.  She was pretty excited about the fringe and how it swayed when she danced in circles.  (I have a feeling she'll have more of an opinion on her costume next year... I can't wait to hear her ideas!)

She was pretty proud of her costume and even more excited to hear she'd get to see other kids in their costumes on Friday (my hubby's office had an All Saints Day party a day late since they close the office for the actual day... how can you not love that).
 

We got all dressed up to show Daddy, spent a little time cuddling pumpkins, dancing on the porch, and taking off whatever got in the way (necklace, headband, you know, things like that).

And at last, Daddy was home!  This is still one of Anni's favorite parts of the day (mine, too)!  She hears the key in the door and immediately runs, headlong, for the door, yelling, "Daddy!"  We got started post haste on the pumpkin carving while our pizza baked (yep, she didn't really get candy, so we obviously made up for those health benefits by buying the "jack o'lantern pizza" of which she pulled off the olive eyes just to figure out what they were).

Anni was mostly interested in painting her little pumpkins, but took a break occasionally to pull out a single pumpkin seed and say, "Ta-da!  I got it!" 

Even the pumpkin painting was pretty epic.  Anni has never, ever, ever willingly touched paint with her fingers, but something about paint on pumpkins was a whole new ballgame!  She was still pretty delicate with it, but it was a lot of fun to see her enjoy the messiness a little. 

Our jack-o-lantern was about as simple as it gets (I'm pretty proud of my mouth carving skills), which works out well as Anni has enjoyed pointing out all of the triangles on the face.  (We didn't know she knew what a triangle was until our pumpkin carving adventure... what a fun surprise!)

We then combined two of Anni's favorite things: candles and pumpkins.  She was in awe.  I love how much this little girl makes me take pause and really notice things.  Maybe I put more effort into holidays with her because she helps me recognize how important it is to stop and take notice and make things special.

Either way, I'm just glad we have her.

While there are no photos (yet), we spent All Saints Day (Nov. 1) hanging out with Daddy!  We made it to Mass and managed to get our family photos taken.  I'm still impressed that the latter happened as we were rushing out the door, into rush hour traffic, my makeup box in my lap, and all still a little unsure as to our outfits, despite the hour of texting pictures to our costuming friend for approval.  Fortunately, we did it... and I'm hopeful we're going to love them, because we couldn't get a sweet photog friend to document our sweet little family.

Whew!  I'm almost too tired to make it through today's explanations.  As I mentioned, Daniel's office had a little All Saints Day party/ trick-or-treating a day late.  We grabbed a photo before the mayhem began; though, the poor kiddos were mostly confused as to why they weren't heading out to the offices for some yumminess.  We tried to make it quick :). 

I'm glad we saved Anni's trick-or-treating for the office.  While she was still pretty quiet, she snuck in a few smiles and "twick or tweats".  It helped that we were in a place she knows well (we visit Daddy pretty often for Mass and lunch dates), with people who are about as sweet and gentle as can be. 

After making the rounds, she was determined to, "work wewwy hawd!" at Daddy's desk, before we managed to tear ourselves away (we really, really like visiting Daddy at work).  She even fell asleep on the way home and only woke up when I put in her bed to demand a band-aid for her knee before passing out for several hours.  Since this little chickadee averages maybe one nap a week, it was obvious that the last few days had worn her out.  Her rather pregnant mama quite enjoyed a little nap as well... keeping up with our schedule this week has worn me out as well!

I've got friends... (and Anni has a costume)

Once upon a time I was in college (above), and I had lovely friends.  I still have lovely friends, but we're pretty scattered now.  Luckily, sometimes one of those friends (right) needs a break and decides to take a spontaneous trip to Colorado.  I couldn't be happier about that decision!

 

We spent a lot of time talking about dreams, and our pasts and our futures.  Oh, and putting my hair into a faux-hawk... maybe...

Then, because it was a beautiful fall day, we attempted a hike... after stopping at the overlook by my husband's office... because it is awesome!

And by attempted a hike, I mean... I failed at finding a place to park by a trail... so as our time was dwindling until we needed to head down the mountain, we pulled up by a hill in the mountains and just hung out for a few minutes.   

Yep, just hanging out on the hill.  Anni loved it!  She had just woken up from a nap (after destroying an entire cereal bar in her seat... it still hasn't recovered) and reveled in the many small things to be sorted and examined. 

It was a good fall moment :).

Then we went on to visit our sweet friend Jill.  Amanda and Jill were roommates in college (at a different time than when Amanda and I were roomies).  

Then, while we watched all of these sweet little ones trick-or-treat and eat chili (alas, my yummy chicken chili did not win anything), the snow started...

See my sweet little doctor (St. Gianna) in the front row?  She loved holding her little doctor bag - it was a lot of fun.  Since her grandpa's a doctor, we think he'll enjoy this year's costume :).  There were some amazing costumes at the All Saint's Day party... I think John the Baptist wins for most creative (far right).  They were all so adorable!

But, back to that snow.  It snowed all night and through the next day.  

 
I had some hopes that Amanda's plane would be delayed, giving me more time to convince her to move here.  Unfortunately... no such luck.  We did make it through the snow to stare a little more at the mountains and go thrift storing (in which she bought Anni an adorable dress and I found a little kiddo chair for $7... score!).  It's a good life.  We miss you already Amanda!