Batman and Superman are Best Friends!

When they aren't fighting crime, Batman and Superman hang out together at my house. Betcha didn't know that Batman was so much taller than Superman huh? It's a big surprise to most people.

The Costumes

I had to laugh when I finally uploaded these photos of the Halloween experience. Ryanna was Rapunzel, but looking at her in that wig I think she actually looks more like one of those ladies you see in the mall where you want to say, "Sister, you are 65, cut your hair and dress your age!" It's even funnier when I think about how her wig fell off during the Halloween carnival and I tried to put it back on, but it was such a gob of hair that I did it backwards and so Rapunzel had all these bald spots and really needed some Rogaine.

Owen was a ninja and I'm honestly glad that costume is done. This child is a bit obsessive and that does not exclude research about Halloween costumes. Every day we had to talk about ninjas and I discovered I don't really know that much. How do Ninja's drive with those swords on their backs? I assume they didn't have cars then? What about those dagger thingies? Can't really walk with those tucked into your belt. And shoes--I think they wore slippers, but I'm not quite certain. I'm fairly certain they ate rice or am I just being stereotypical? I just don't know much about a ninja lifestyle.

I know this is blurry, but he's doing a ninja kick and I love it.

Eli was the ever popular hand-me-down-we-are-not-buying-you-a-new-costume-because-you're-too-young-to-care Dragon! I love this costume. He looked adorable in it just like Owen did when he wore it. We had a hot Halloween this year though, so he didn't wear the head part much. That and the fact that his head is not huge like Owen's, so it kept falling down on him.



Since we didn't trick or treat on Sunday, I let the kids hand out the candy and I think they may have enjoyed that better than actual trick or treating. They sat there all night and didn't even let the trick or treaters get to the door before they threw it open with excitement.

And the cupcake picture. It's just adorable. I make cute kids--correction--WE make cute kids. On to Owen's birthday and then Thanksgiving!



And, I had to throw this picture in here to show you the hail damage from that storm a few weeks ago. Check out the metal coils on our AC unit!!! I also included the brief video of the storm from that day. It was CRAZY!!!!

Halloween Traditions

So, even though Christmas is my most favorite holiday because of the religious meanings and the warm feelings, Halloween is easily my second favorite holiday. How can you not enjoy a holiday that is based around getting candy? Seriously, I must've invented this holiday in another life.

So, we hit the Pumpkin Patch as is our tradition. It was fun, but I was shocked at how few pumpkins they had as compared to years past. I had heard that there would be a pumpkin shortage this year due to bad pumpkin weather and they weren't joking. I've already bought all the pumpkin filling I think I'll need for the whole year--if you like it--you should do the same.

Ryanna 2010

Ryanna 2007

The crazy face picture was actually the best of the bunch.

My kids loved the farm animals. Eli was actually the most excited--so excited in fact that I couldn't get a good photo because he was running and jumping with such happiness.

Eli used this as a substitute ball and it cracked after one day.

We also decorated the house on the first of October and I added these Halloween blocks as a new decoration to my collection. Thanks to my girlfriends for their great ideas and know-how and willingness to include me all things crafty. My kids have loved switching the blocks to count down the days.

Mine is the one on the left.

We also Boo'd a couple of houses. It's the tradition where you take treats to some friends and leave a cute, little poem with instructions for how they continue the Boo onto some other friends. My kids love to do that too and they are getting pretty good at hiding.

And, last night I pulled out all the stops and we made caramel apples--next year I want to get fancy and do some gourmet style--heath bar or rocky road, we made Halloween T-shirts with these iron-on decals that I bought last year after Halloween was over and we decorated our fake pumpkins with our little push-in decorations.

The lazy parent's way to do pumpkins.

I love how the shirts turned out. To be honest, we were lucky and found Owen's shirt with that spider web already on it. Eli's shirt had all of his stuff on the front and we ironed stuff onto the back. Ryanna's was completely blank though and I love how it turned out.

What can I say, I love this holiday.

Ghost Poem for you to replicate & recipe to share!

Since some of you requested the poem that was left on our doorstep, I'm copying it for you.

The very top of the page is titled: "The Phantom was Here!"

Written inside of a cute ghost it says:

The "Halloween Phantom" has come to town.
To Leave you some goodies I see you've found.

Pass on the phantom next family night.

And watch it spread until Halloween night.

Take 3 treats and notes down the street.
To friends and neighbors who will feast.

Don't let them see you inyour work of surprise.

Leave it with those who've not been phantomized.

Happy Halloween!
We hope you have a great holiday season.

(Don't forget to hang this note on your door or window

So the phantom will know you have already been visited.)

There you have the poem and I also wanted to publish this recipe my cousin left under one of my comments. I have to say that I normally avoid sweet potatoes, you know, don't even take a polite sample, but this recipe changed my mind. Do it for Thanksgiving!!!

Ruth's Chris Sweet Potato Casserole

FOR THE CRUST:

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1 cup chopped nuts (pecans preferred)

1/3 stick butter, melted

FOR THE SWEET POTATO MIXTURE:

3 cups mashed sweet potatoes

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs, well beaten

1 stick butter ( 1/2 cup), melted
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and butter in mixing bowl. Set aside.Combine sweet potatoes, sugar, salt, vanilla, eggs and butter in a mixing bowl in the order listed. Mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into buttered baking dish. Sprinkle the surface of the sweet potato mixture evenly with the crust mixture. Bake for 30 minutes. Allow to set at least 30 minutes before serving.