Trunk or Treat Expedition

It all started with Loo a few months ago.

She started wearing an explorer costume around the house and visiting exotic locations, mostly in the clubhouse under the stairs. She declared "EXPLORER!" as her future Halloween costume and talked about it all the time. It wasn't soon before another Lamb joined her.

Evie decided her passion for science went very well with being an explorer for Halloween. And since Teddy adores Evie more than anyone these days, we were not surprised when he joined the expedition team.

The countdown to his self-proclaimed favorite holiday (tied with Christmas) and all the "can-gee" that comes along with it has been going on for a while. Thank goodness for our church's Trunk or Treat or he might have gone insane from the wait.

This was the easiest Halloween prep ever. The kids picked out "explorer clothes" (khaki shorts and a shirt), which Lottie rejected the day of and opted instead for something more her vibe.

The girls threw on some packs for collecting specimen and holding their journals (there was some drama over pretending the packs had all that stuff, because they had both packed them full of useful and heavy exploration items) and Trent opted for a monkey friend (obviously found on a jungle expedition).

Based on the amount and variety of candy specimen they collected on this expedition, I decided to fund a grant so they can explore the neighborhood on Halloween.

Halloween

Josh had class during the Trunk or Treat, but on Halloween he joined us for trick or treating around the neighborhood.

Of course, he dressed up as well.

He did his own makeup and I think it turned out pretty amazing. It took Trent a full hour before he wasn't afraid.

Evie went as a Mad Hatter again. I must say, this costume really brings out her funky side.

Lottie chose to be a witch for this bout of treating. I think this is year three or four of the witch costume being used, making it totally worth the effort to sew.

The weather cooled off and we had a lovely time treating in a nearby neighborhood. (It sure is nice to trick or treat without a snowsuit. Don't miss that part of Alaska!)

Trunk or Treat

On Wednesday we went to our church's Halloween party, the Trunk or Treat. The teenagers were in charge and it was tons of fun, complete with games like "Cake Walk" and "Whack-a-Deacon" as well as a candy rocket launcher. 

Before the party, I took the kids outside for a little costume photoshoot. 

Lottie was a peach fairy, whose duties (if you don't already know) are to eat peaches, make peach fruits, and battle strawberry fairies.

Evie was a funky Mad Hatter. She didn't wear the hat because she thought it looked weird.

Trent went as Yoda. All night he kept pointing to his head and saying, "I Yoda. Tick o treat. Tank you!"

Trunk or Treat!

Thanksgiving weekend

Mom and Scott flew down for Thanksgiving weekend. After enduring a red-eye flight in August, they vowed never again. However, with red-eye prices being more affordable and the promise of more time together, they purchased two red-eye tickets and arrived early Wednesday morning.

They spent the day snuggling with Trent, playing games with the girls, and helping with Thanksgiving preparations. Mom brought a few recipes and traditions from my family: lemon meringue pie, cornucopia place settings, and deviled eggs (formerly an Easter dish for the Lambs, now extended to Thanksgiving).

Hosting Thanksgiving was no small feat. The twenty-three guests included us, the Lambs, Grandma Dare, Grandma Lamb, my parents, Debbie's brother and his wife, Ed's brother and his entire family, and a lone roommate of Josh's cousin.

Even the kid table had a lovely First Thanksgiving centerpiece. And chocolate turkeys. Between the turkeys and the cornucopias we really didn't hear much from Evie, Charlotte, and Natalie.

We spent the remainder of the weekend decorating for Christmas, spending time together, and lounging around in general. It was a fun, relaxing, family-filled weekend. I am thankful for all the love that surrounds me and my little family.

Wild things

A few wild animals were found wandering around the front porch on Halloween.