Happy Halloween 2010

We had a wonderful, busy Halloween this year! Friday night, we trick or treated at daddy's office, then joined up with Lala and gang for activities and trick or treating at Presby Hall- college dorm. Saturday, we went into Oakland, won 2nd prize for group costumes at the community building, and trick or treated for awhile. Ziza joined us for the fun and dressed up! I love my momma! We came home and watched a movie and ate treats. Sunday, we are probably going to carve pumpkins, get some shopping and things done in the yard, and relax. There other option for activities for Sunday and Monday evening, but I think we might be Halloweened out.

I am already thinking about ideas for next year's Halloween! lol I LOVE Halloween!

Here are some of my favorite images from the festivities. The horizontal ones get cutoff- you can click on see all images to see the full image if you want.

Sneak preview of what I have been working on

The Mystery Machine

This will attached to our wagon when we trick or treat in town and onto the stroller when we go to daddy's office.

The costumes!!!!! Scooby Doo gang
L-R: Fred(Brian), Velma (Carla), Shaggy (Gareth), Scooby Doo (Zane), and Daphne (Iris)

I have to say I am pretty damn impressed with my sewing on the Scooby costume. I also sewed Velma's skirt, spray painted socks orange ( I Looked EVERYWHERE for damn orange socks with no luck - ran out of time to order online), sewed Shaggy, Scooby and Daphne's costumes. So much fun! We have a busy weekend planned! Happy Halloween!

Busy Sewing Costumes

just a little note saying I have been busy sewing Scooby Doo costumes, so no blogging has occurred. All I have left to do is Scooby's ears and Daphne's boots and coloring the Mystery Machine. I am super excited for Halloween festivities and look forward to sharing pictures!

Busey Woods

I always enjoy walks in the woods with friends. Gareth had Columbus Day off from school, so we ventured up to Urbana to hang out with friends for a perfect walk and play time in Busey Woods. Autumn is truly a beautiful time to spend in the woods. We got to see a mama deer with her 2 growing babies.





stairway to nowhere


playing on hollow log


the hole they crawl through - seems like a tight fit - the kids loved it!





Keep those shoes on young lady!



gosh - Zane looks so tall and thin in this pic. He is going through a growth spurt, I think. He was complaining the other day about his "bones hurting". These kids grow so fast!


Iris refused to keep her shoes on!



my lil' squirrel







jumping off the log in front of the Nature Center. I love the shots in mid air! I also like all 5 of the kiddos together!



This is my fave shot! Cute kids!




I love this shot!

Reading with Ziza

It is so nice to have a Ziza around on the days when Gareth has off from school. We go hang out with friends in the morning, then go to Ziza's house for lunch, Iris can take a nap, and I often can leave a couple of kids and run off to take care of errands! So nice! The kids enjoy seeing their Ziza! Wish more family lived near us..........

Praying Mantis

y'all should know by now, we like bugs around here! lol We found this lil' girl outside Ziza's apartment, so spent some time letting it crawl around on us. Eventually, Gareth got brave enough to hold her!

Negangard's Pumpkin Patch 2010

We made it to Negangard's Pumpkin Patch for the 3rd year in a row. Here are the last previous 2 years. Baby I was sleeping in the car so there are no pics of her this year. We hope to make it back to purchase more edible pumpkins/squash to store over the winter and get some pics of Iris. I grew a few plants, but only got 3 acorn squash and butternut squash vine only has 1 healthy looking one on it.

Their prices are great!!!! We stock up on edible varieties. The butternut and acorn squash are 50 cents each!!!!! Compare that to $3.00 at the store and other places- what a great deal! We are trying some of the smaller edible varieties this time too. Like, I said, we want to go back towards the end of the season and stock up on more. We have been eating A LOT of squash/pumpkin around here lately.

2010 and 2008


2010 and 2008


2010 and 2008

2008-2010




Directions to the Negangard's:
1883 Co. Rd. 700N
Sidney, IL

From Route 130:
South to 700N Road (1 mile south of Philo). turn left (east) go 3 miles- Follow sign.

Arthur's Great Pumpkin Patch

We all went over to the Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur a couple of weekends ago to celebrate our friend, Emily's, daughter - Norah, turning 3 years old! Emily's in laws own the patch/farm so it always nice to get a personal tour and inside history of the farm. I did not get a ton of pictures since we were having such a good time. Our visit from last year can be seen here.

Zaners with crazy hair


Gareth-O in the children's garden


Ziza joined us for the fun


The boy pile up


Zaners


Goats sure are cute.....maybe we should get a few....


Iris checking out the 3 little pigs


looking at the pretty plants


great pic of Ziza and Iris - they are the best of friends!


Zane is a daddy's boy


me and my short lil'man :) Man - we are growing old! I have grey hair, Brian has no hair! lol