Halloween Parade

We were invited to once again attend the 5/3rd Halloween Parade. It was held this past Thursday, so I dressed the kids up (Wyatt stayed a pirate and Lily chose to be Belle) and we headed downtown for some indoor Trick or Treating. The kids loved it and it was great to see our friends from "Daddy's Work," (not to mention we were able to get plenty of candy without dealing with any type of yucky weather).

Wyatt and Lily with Ms. Lisa (she gave them the little pumpkin Wyatt is holding)!

Trick or Treat!

Currently (6:45 am) we have a wind advisory and they are calling for a "wintry mixture of precipitation." Those words, plus the fact that we already have plenty of candy will probably keep my pirate and my princess home to pass candy out to the people who do decide to brave the weather of Halloween night!

looking back

Halloween 2006

6 months old

a flower and a puppy

Halloween 2007

18 months old

2 little elephants

Halloween 2008

2 1/2 years old

2 little sweeties

Halloween 2009

3 1/2 years old

a princess and a pirate

A Pirate and a Princess -- Halloween Sneak Peek

Here are a couple pictures of the kids in their Halloween costumes. Wyatt is a pirate and he is very excited about it! Lily is a "princess" (although she looks a lot like a ballerina!). She may change her mind before Halloween actually arrives -- her original choice was a chicken. This was a costume that we considered for Wyatt two years ago. The Elephant and The Chicken Click on the link for a video that will make you smile. Lily and Wyatt were 1 1/2 at the time.

Trick or Treat x3

Lily and Wyatt got great use out the the M & M costumes my mom made for them. I had decided earlier this fall that Lily would just be her elephant from last year and that I would find something for Wyatt. I changed my mind...I figure that they aren't going to want to dress alike forever, so I would do it while I could. I thought M & M's was a good choice considering how much they love to eat them. Lily chose to be a purple M & M and Wyatt chose orange. Thanks, Mom for making their cute costumes!

Wednesday night we went to Trunk or Treat where my sisters and their families go to church. It was FREEZING outside, but the kids had fun and we got a ton of candy! It was a good way for them to learn about this whole candy and Halloween thing was all about.

Checking out their candy from Trunk or Treating

Thursday afternoon, the three of us headed to 5/3rd for their annual Halloween Parade (the kids of employees go to all the different offices and Trick or Treat). We had gone the previous 2 years because Ryan worked there and last week Saturday they invited us to attend again this year. The kids were spoiled rotten there and got even more candy than they did the night before. Thanks for having us!

Lily is showing Derek (Ryan's boss) all of her candy from the Halloween Parade.

Tonight, we went to my sister's house for pizza and Trick or Treating with all of their cousins. Lily and Wyatt have never gone Trick or Treating before, but they quickly learned the ropes from their cousins. They really enjoyed going, except when there were dogs at the different houses.

The Cousins: Jack 6, Charlie 2, Noah 4, Anna 6, Casey 4, Lily 2, and Wyatt 2

On the way home from my sister's we saw people out on the streets still trick or treating. Lily asked if we could go again and I said we were all done. Wyatt then proceeded to tell her that we would go again tomorrow...I might be in trouble :)

Happy Halloween from my little M & M's

21 Weeks

Today marks 21 weeks since Ryan died. How is that possible? Sometimes it seems like only yesterday. Most days it hurts like it was yesterday -- does the pain ever go away?

Next week will probably be another tough week.

Tuesday is Election Day -- probably one of of Ryan's favorite days! Even on non-presidential years he would stay up late and watch the results come in. I will not be having an election party this year, like we did 4 years ago. I will probably not even stay up late (especially since my favorite show won't be on due to election coverage). I will miss Ryan that day though, I will miss his excitement (and probably his disappointment at the outcome).

Tuesday is also his mom's birthday. I am sure that will be a harder day for her than it is for me, so please pray for her!

Thursday will mark 5 months since Ryan has died. 5 months. That is 1/6th of Lily and Wyatt's life. 1/6th of their life has been lived without their Daddy (not counting all the time he was in the hospital). When they are little that is so huge. I miss Ryan for Lily and Wyatt.

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On a different note, it is Halloween today. I am not a huge Halloween person, but Lily and Wyatt have already been celebrating (2x's) and we will be going Trick or Treating for the first time in their lives. Look for pictures later of my two little "sweeties"!