What We've Been Up To...

Halloween 2010

We spent the Halloween weekend this year in Vegas with Conan's parents and his two brothers and their families. We had a fun time! The day before Halloween we rushed out to buy pumpkins. Since the grocery stores and Sam's Club were sold out, we were forced to go to an overpriced pumpkin patch. Of course, every pumpkin left was about three times larger than we ever would have picked out, however, since that was pretty much the only size left, we didn't really have much of a choice! Conan, the clever one, let our niece, nephew and our Tennyson each pick out their own pumpkin design and then he carved all 3 designs onto the pumpkin. It came out great!

Asher was grossed out by the "pumpkin guts" so he hung out with me.

Tennyson watched intently as Daddy began carving the pumpkin, but then he soon chickened out and passed on pulling out the "pumpkin guts." My nephew, Carter, had no problem diving right in!

My niece, Jillian. Conan had to fly back to Philadelphia Halloween morning. He has been there all of November working in the podiatry clinic at Temple. Thankfully, he is flying back home the night before Thanksgiving and will be home with us for three months before he has to go back in March. We sure have been missing him!

The boys' Aunt Cheryl organized a "cake walk" for all the cousins. Instead of getting cake, she passed out goody bags full of candy. The cousins LOVED this. She played spooky Halloween music as the children (and Grandma and Uncle Gavin) walked in a circle. When the music stopped, they stood on the number nearest them. If their number was called, they got a goody bag. It was a cute idea. Thanks Cheryl!

Asher was so excited to receive his goody bag. He ran up clapping and yelling, "Yay!"

My spooky skeleton (Tennyson) and my chunky chicken (Asher)

The cousins about to go trick or treating (minus Carter who was a piece of pizza for Halloween. He was having "technical difficulties" with his costume and chose not to be in the picture...LOL!) Pictured left to right: Christian (holding Bennett the chicken), Jillian the witch, Tennyson the skeleton, Asher our second chicken, and Quinn our second skeleton. What were the odds we'd have two skeletons and two chickens???

Someone was pretty proud of their candy loot.

Conan's pumpkin came out really neat. There were two more designs carved out on the other sides of the pumpkin.

Asher, Tennyson and me. Notice the candy in Asher's hand and Tennyson's mouth stuffed full of candy. They were on one sugar high that evening!!! Although it was way past Asher's bedtime when he finally headed to bed, it took him well over an hour to settle down and finally fall asleep. While I was snuggling with him, he kept saying, "Trick Treat. Trick Treat." It was the cutest.

A few days after we returned from our mini vacation to Vegas, Grandma and Grandpa Parke took the boys to the circus! This was Tennyson's second time going to a circus (Conan took Tennyson to his first circus when we were still living back in Philly) and Asher's first time. Grandma and Grandpa even treated the boys to over-priced swords that lit up!!! Tennyson loved the circus while Asher was nervous and distraught throughout the entire thing. He didn't like the loud music, clowns, etc. so he spent the evening on our laps.

Then, a couple weeks ago, Tennyson turned 5 on November 6th. We had an early birthday party near the end of October when Conan was still here to be here for it. However, on his actual birthday, my side of the family took Tennyson out to Round Table Pizza for his birthday. It is like a mini Chuck E. Cheese. Above, Tennyson and his Aunt Shelby.

After Round Table Pizza, we headed to Tennyson's Great-Grandma Stillians' house for cake, ice cream and presents.

Lastly, Tennyson's school held a Jog-A-Thon a couple days ago to raise money for the school. Tennyson's grandparents all pledged a flat donation. I, on the other hand, decided I'd donate money to the school based on how many laps he ran. I underestimated how many laps Tenn would run. Bad for my wallet, but great for the school, Tennyson ran 17 laps non-stop! I couldn't believe it. I am so proud of him. He just ran and ran and ran.

I think he is going to be a runner like his mamma! (Okay, okay...like I USED to be! I know what you are thinking Roni!)

Quick, get this kid some H2O and a popcicle!