Trick or Treat

On Saturday we were invited to a pumpkin carving party with some of our friends from the missions committee at church. It was so fun! Great food, fellowship and getting gooey and creative with pumpkin carving! Thank you so much for inviting us Villareal family!

Joel and Levi with the pumpkins they designed (Joel wanted a circle nose and 4 teeth, Levi actually drew his on)

Every year our church hosts a "Trunk or Treat" and the kids always have a blast. This year was no different, and Levi and Joel not only had a ton of fun, but came home with tons of candy too. Levi wanted to be spider-man for Halloween this year and Joel decided to be a dinosaur (shocking I know). I usually make both of the boys' costumes, but this year I only made Joel's. We found an spider-man costume that was cheaper than I could have made it, so I decided to save some time and effort and buy Levi's costume. Joel wanted to be a green T-rex, and even though it isn't perfect, it turned out pretty cute and he had a blast wearing it and running around making dino sounds :). Surprisingly, Levi was disappointed that I didn't make his costume and told several people, "Momma sewed Joel's costume for him, but she just bought mine at the store." I was a little sad that he was disappointed, but also happy to know that he appreciates my hard work when I do sew him something. Despite his slight disappointment he really enjoyed his costume and playing super hero with all the other super heros at the party.

Ready to go! Levi and Joel really wanted me to dress up, so I wore my wings :)

 They got suckers at the first car & immediately asked to eat them (& kept eating them most of the trick or treating)

 The Prescott family (on the right) take the time to be extra sweet to our boys every time we are at church. Mr. Steve often gives Levi or Joel a ride on his chair, and Ms. Pat made them each special blankets when they were born. One of the many reasons we love our "church family"

Levi and Joel with the Courtney kids (Levi thinks Reese is the coolest kid ever!)

Joel & one of his best buds, Brady

 Levi and his two best girls, Gracie Jo and Autry

Our family had a great time at Trunk or Treat!

Levi had school on actual Halloween, and enjoyed a very cute and fun Fall Festival. Joel and I were able to come to help out, and Levi was VERY excited to have his little brother with him at school. He introduced Joel to everyone and was very sweet to him sharing all his goodies and games. Melt my heart :). They decorated a pumpkin together and completely covered that sucker with stickers!

 Philip had to be out of town on Halloween (hunting in Colorado with his best friend, Sean. Elk season is short and he couldn't go the second week due to my brother's wedding: post on the elk trip to come). So, Pop and Moe joined us, much to the boys delight. I picked up a festive jack-o-lantern pizza for dinner.  Then, we spent a short time trick or treating on our street, and our sweet neighbors enjoyed seeing Levi and Joel all dressed up. Levi was super excited and had a hard time listening and following the rules. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that he was grabbing candy, stealing from Joel at people's door, and even asked one very sweet, very elderly man why he was so slow. He provided me with a lot of "teachable moments" and may have had a small melt down when I told him if he grabbed candy again he would have to sit out the next house. Thankfully, he was at least quick to say thank you and his little brother (who charmed his way into twice as much candy) was super cute, happy and sweet. Joel told almost everyone "Happy Halloween!" as well as "trick or treat please, thanks you!"
 

Hard to believe that 1 year ago today we were trick or treating in Plano because we were there visiting Moe in the hospital after her heart attack! We are so thankful for her good health now! Praise God!

 
We finished early, so we handed out candy until bedtime, which was also challenging for Levi. He was extra generous and wanted to give every kid a giant handful of candy. After being told a few times to only give 2-3 pieces each kid or we would soon run out, he had to be banned from handing out any more. We are in a bit of a rough patch with listening and obeying right now. His level of energy, independence and enthusiasm makes him have a really hard time doing what he is told sometimes. We are working on it and he wants so badly to be good all the time. Thank goodness he is a sweet hearted little guy and wonderful in many ways, so I know we will get through this, but our adventures during trick or treating are just a snap shot of everyday right now. However, it was over all a fun night, and the boys kept saying that they had a lot of fun when they were checking out all their goodies after returning home. Hope everyone had a fun time celebrating being a kid this Halloween, can't believe tomorrow is November!