Halloween 2013

We started asking Mason earlier in the fall what he wanted to be for Halloween, and he kept saying "a race car driver!"  We knew he was saying that just because it's what he was last year, and in his young age probably thought that's what he's supposed to be for Halloween every year.  But after throwing out tons of other ideas to him and him insisting on being a driver again, I figured hey, the costume from last year was huge, it probably still fits, let's get our money's worth and wear it again!

But this year, we decided to use his costume to create our whole family's theme, since it was our first year with another child to outfit.

And so, that is how Madden became a stop sign!  And I became a police officer.

 And Gigi became a road.

And Tristan became a mechanic again.

 And my dad became a stop light!

 I think all the costumes came out pretty great, especially my parents', since my mom actually took the time to make theirs.  Don't mind the screaming baby.

 Not so sure he likes being a lame-o stop sign.  Who's idea was this, anyways?

 My handsome driver.

They sure are cute, these two!

As is tradition, we headed up to the cousins' house for group pictures before kicking off the trick-or-treating.  Grace was a hippie, Addie was a go-go dancer, and Ava was "Memo".

The whole gang!  Todd was Austin Powers to go along with his 70s girls, and Laura & BG were scuba divers and Opa was Bruce The Shark, to go along with "Memo".

 Our traditional girls shot, assuming the position (wine glasses in hand).

 Yup, dad's costume lit up!

 The little ones hitching a ride.

Trick-or-treating was SO much fun this year with Mason.  He remembered exactly how it worked (with just a few reminders to say "thank you"), and we made it quite a few blocks farther than we ever have, he was having so much fun.

This little guy did as well as could be expected.  Lasted a few blocks, then it got dark and his bedtime, and he was over it.  So daddy took him home to get him in bed and hand out candy while we finished up with the big kids.

Once we got home, Mason got right to work organizing his loot. 

 And to cap off an already great night, we recorded "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" for Mason.  We're not sure if he was exhausted from all the day's excitement, or in a sugar coma, but this was his expression during the whole viewing.  Wonder what color that lollipop was he'd just eaten?

Daddy is imitating his ridiculous face.

Parents switched off, still openmouthed.  That Charlie Brown sure is fascinating.

 Here's to another successful Halloween in the books!  It was so much sweeter as a family of four!