We love Halloween here in our home! It is our favorite holiday of the year. (St. Patrick's Day comes in a very close second.)
Unfortunately, on October 29th the Mid-Atlantic and New England States were hit by the terribly destructive Hurricane Sandy. Its impact was felt in at least 24 states, but severely in New Jersey and New York. Those states suffered unspeakable hardships due to ocean surge, flooding, wind gusts, fires, toppled trees and power lines, etc. Millions were left without electricity, thousands lost their homes and businesses. Sadly, at this time the death toll stands at 113 in the United States. There has been over $20 billion worth of property damage and $10-$30 billion worth of lost business.
Since there was so much sadness swirling around the East Coast on Halloween it seemed so trivial to go trick or treating. We kept the festivities to a minimum out of respect for those in such devastation, shock and suffering just north of us. We did carve jack-o'-lanterns and the kids went trick-or-treating with Hotch. When they came home we watched scary movies until the wee hours of the night. Even though we didn't do all of our family traditions this Halloween it was still a success in the eyes of our kids.
This year the kids were really excited to carve their own pumpkins.
Braxton made a sweet, cute jack-o'-lantern named Jonathan.
(His favorite names: Jack, John and Jonathan.)
Alyssa created Wicked Jack with the Butt Crack.
Here they are all ready for trick-or-treating. We always go to an awesome neighborhood in town where everyone gives out candy.
Alyssa chose to be Juliet since she just finished Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. She loved the play and memorized so much of it! Her insights into the immaturity and frailties of teenagers were so awesome.
Delaney chose to be a vampire because she loves blood red and vampires.
Braxton chose to be a mystery jedi. He kept changing his mind which made it really difficult to work with him this year. All day long he would come up with new costumes. He went through five or six different ideas just in the hour before they left. He settled on being a jedi, but he was no ordinary jedi. No Braxton was a mystery jedi! When he got home Brax was stoked that no one knew which jedi he was. So glad that he still fits into his Yoda sweatshirt and that we have multiple lightsabers to choose from.
Hotch was such a sweetheart by taking the kids out on his own. After multiple years of trick-or-treating alone with all three kids in tow while we lived in Utah, we decided I was due a Halloween off duty. Thanks babe! I really appreciated it. I enjoyed my time watching a creepy old movie called The Legend of Hell House (1973).
They had a blast trick-or-treating and here's their spoils.
Unfortunately, on October 29th the Mid-Atlantic and New England States were hit by the terribly destructive Hurricane Sandy. Its impact was felt in at least 24 states, but severely in New Jersey and New York. Those states suffered unspeakable hardships due to ocean surge, flooding, wind gusts, fires, toppled trees and power lines, etc. Millions were left without electricity, thousands lost their homes and businesses. Sadly, at this time the death toll stands at 113 in the United States. There has been over $20 billion worth of property damage and $10-$30 billion worth of lost business.
Since there was so much sadness swirling around the East Coast on Halloween it seemed so trivial to go trick or treating. We kept the festivities to a minimum out of respect for those in such devastation, shock and suffering just north of us. We did carve jack-o'-lanterns and the kids went trick-or-treating with Hotch. When they came home we watched scary movies until the wee hours of the night. Even though we didn't do all of our family traditions this Halloween it was still a success in the eyes of our kids.
This year the kids were really excited to carve their own pumpkins.
They did an amazing job! Each jack-o'-lantern mimics their personalities.
Watch out for these vicious creatures!
These jack-o'-lanterns were so cool all lit up!
Delaney made a scary vampire jack-o'-lantern named Creepy. She loves vampires right now and always wants to watch Twilight.
(His favorite names: Jack, John and Jonathan.)
Alyssa created Wicked Jack with the Butt Crack.
When Alyssa came home from the store she let me know that she chose this pumpkin because it looks like it has a butt. (Nice language, Lyss.)
Here they are all ready for trick-or-treating. We always go to an awesome neighborhood in town where everyone gives out candy.
Alyssa chose to be Juliet since she just finished Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. She loved the play and memorized so much of it! Her insights into the immaturity and frailties of teenagers were so awesome.
Delaney chose to be a vampire because she loves blood red and vampires.
Braxton chose to be a mystery jedi. He kept changing his mind which made it really difficult to work with him this year. All day long he would come up with new costumes. He went through five or six different ideas just in the hour before they left. He settled on being a jedi, but he was no ordinary jedi. No Braxton was a mystery jedi! When he got home Brax was stoked that no one knew which jedi he was. So glad that he still fits into his Yoda sweatshirt and that we have multiple lightsabers to choose from.
Hotch was such a sweetheart by taking the kids out on his own. After multiple years of trick-or-treating alone with all three kids in tow while we lived in Utah, we decided I was due a Halloween off duty. Thanks babe! I really appreciated it. I enjoyed my time watching a creepy old movie called The Legend of Hell House (1973).
They had a blast trick-or-treating and here's their spoils.
Hope that those affected by Hurricane Sandy find relief soon and that next year there are no devastating hurricanes. That will make Halloween much more enjoyable for all. Grateful the kids had fun this year anyways.
The first thing that came to MY mind about that pumpkin was that it looked like a butt. I totally agree with her. I love these pictures! Halloween is our favorite holiday too.
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