We had a fun-filled Halloween week this year!
Here are pictures covering it all...
Costume Storytime at the library...
I brought one of my little cowboys while the other was at therapy with Daddy :) Here, Ryder is doing a puppet show for his sister (our little horse)
She's watching his every move...
...and then started crawling away (what a cute little tail!)
I made sure everyone knew she was a GIRL horsie with a white bow! The first "recycled" Halloween costume from Cole passed down to Cora...the poor girl will probably be a cow girl next year!
Cole joins us after therapy, right before we left...
Just me and my cuties :)
After the library, Daddy went off to school while the rest of us took "Cowboy Ryder" to preschool for his Halloween party day with his friends! Here he is with his buddies Nolan and Nicholas...
The next morning, I took Cole to therapy for his costume day!
He's sitting with his back to us here...
Off to trick or treat through the building with his classmates...
"Knock, Knock, Knock...anyone there?"
Now, upstairs where the "big" kids go to school!
Cole getting treats with Miss Holly "Bee"
FRIDAY night...
We were waiting for Daddy to get home from practice, and had to go outside to take a picture of the sunset...it was beautiful!
Ryder set up this room by himself, complete with the chairs for the audience (including Cora's high chair)...
Then the performance began...
(it's always hard catching the best moments, but at least you get the real deal!)
As soon as Daddy got home, the pumpkin carving began...
Ryder picked the most difficult design out of the carving kit Gramma and Gramps sent...
Cleaning out the pumpkin, and while we carved- the seeds were baking in the oven at 260 for a little over an hour...add a little butter and salt...YUM! (Recipe from Ryder's pre-school teacher form earlier in the week when they carved a pumpkin as a class and baked seeds together!)
Just being cute :)
The kids fell asleep after a half hour, and then John and I were up carving for 2 more hours to finish the most detailed carving we've ever done! Ryder wanted a lightning bolt, tiger and pie on the small one, but we quickly changed the plan once he fell asleep! Thankfully he liked both once he woke up :)
It's HALLOWEEN!
These little cowboys and I watched Illinois beat Michigan on NBC (Daddy was at the game with the Marching Illini) while passing out candy to trick or treaters...the boys had a BLAST rushing to the door every time another group of kids knocked with candy in hand! They were so cute!
Cowboy Cole
Cowboy Ryder
Daddy's home! (and taking the picture)...time to trick or treat with my two cowboys and our little horse :)
Trick or treating with Daddy...
Daddy jumped out of the car coming straight home from the Football Game (where he conducted) and onto the trick or treat trail! We love our Daddy!
Making eyes with my girl...
My favorite boys...
One last picture with my cowboy!
I hope everyone had a fun Halloween! I'll tell you one thing...it sure is a fun week in our house every year, and a GREAT opportunity to remind our little ones that God is our protector when things get too scary. I think there are times we ALL need to be reminded of that truth! All week long at Ryder's pre-school, they acted out stories from the Bible when people were afraid, and God saved them. When God saved Daniel from the lions...When the disciples were afraid on the boat in the storm and Jesus calmed the waves...The same God that saved then, saves now. As much as we try and guard our kids from things that are "dark and scary," even more than sheltering, John and I believe it's more powerful to show them who God is in the moments when we need saving. What a great week to focus on the greatness of our God, and the way He is our shelter in the storms our life will surely bring!
We are already excited for next Halloween! I think we may be seeing a fire fighter, dalmation, fire hydrant, hose, and fire truck (according to Ryder!)
