Trunk or Treat & Halloween

For Halloween this year, I didn't have the energy to sew outfits together, so we put together a Diego and Handy Manny costume for the boys. It was the easiest thing I could think of. Besides, Jackson LOVES Diego, and Braden really could care less what he is. I still had a few things to put together, but thankfully, my friends came over and gave me a few ideas and tips. It was such a relief to have them there. THANKS KIMI AND LAURA!

On Saturday, our ward held a trunk-or-treat and a chili cook-off. The boys had a good time playing with their pals and eating the chili and cornbread. It was a lot of fun. And there was a TON of chili. Believe me. I know. I was a judge.

Here's my little animal rescuer showing off his backpack and his video watch.

Speaking of animal rescuer, one day, Jackson told me he wanted to be a doggie doctor. I think he'd make a GREAT doggie doctor. He sleeps with like 3 of them in his bed.

Yummy donut.

All the kids on stage to show their costumes off. Braden is suppose to wear a hat, but he didn't want to do it for some reason. He usually LOVES wearing hats.

If you can't tell, those tools have wiggly eyes.

I was excited to be a judge, but WOW, after 3 trays (6 bowls of chili on each tray) of chili, I was all chili'd out. And there was still more to taste. For this reason, I wasn't able to really help out with the kids very much. Thank you, Trapper. : ) He never complains. I think he only felt pity for me when it was all over with.

Trapper's work of art! He said this was his most challenging yet.

Then for Halloween, he carved this scary pirate.

On Halloween night, Jackson really wanted to help pass out the candy to everyone, so he and I went outside and waited for the trick-or-treaters. Trapper was inside making some egg sandwiches for us for dinner, but once he was done, we ate out on the driveway and passed out candy. Jackson LOVED passing out candy. I think he enjoyed it more than GETTING the candy. I taught him to say "Happy Halloween" to everyone, but all he could get out each time was "Halloween!" It was really cute. Braden wanted to get in the action too, so he helped a few times until a scary dude with glowing red eyes came by and freaked him out so bad that he practically cried the rest of the time. The only person after that that didn't scare him was a little girl dressed up as Alice from Alice in Wonderland.

After awhile, Trapper and Braden went inside while Jackson and I passed out the remainder of the candy. It was getting pretty cold outside, but it didn't bother Jackson. He was having the best time! At one point, I told him my hands were freezing and then I wrapped myself in a blanket. He was like, "Oh, sorry, Mommy." And then he hugged me. It may not mean much to anyone else, but it was the sweetest thing! He was so concerned for me. I'll always remember that special time with him.