This is Halloween

Kids,

This year we tried something a little different for Halloween...

View of our front porch.

We dragged our fireplace around to the side of the house, set out some haybales, hot dogs, marshmallows and refreshments...

...and had a little block party!

We even had a Halloween mix on the iPod with songs like "I Want Candy" and "This is Halloween" from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Lots of people came by, and it was so much fun!

Claire especially enjoyed the plate of cookies our neighbor Amy brought over.

I mean, she REALLY enjoyed them.

EEEEK! When Garden Gnomes Attack!!

Your cousins stopped by.

Here are Tori, Emma, Tommy and Jacob.

Even some of the neighborhood dogs got into the festivities!

Here are Chelsea and Logan from across the street.

And there's Claire, still sitting at the cookie plate.

Heck, I wasn't going to be the one to tell her to eat a hot dog!

This is the only time I could get Logan to stand still long enough for a picture! Then he and the neighborhood kids were off like a light!

Our next door neighbors Mackenzie and Kelly, with Jacob in the background.

Kenzie is one of Claire's favorite people!

The famous "Amy of the Cookie Plate" with adorable little devil Lucas.

Claire in an obvious sugar coma, tranced out by the fire.

Wait, I think I see a hint of expression...

No, at second glance I think some smoke just blew into her eyes.

And then later Claire and Daddy were sitting side by side on the curb. They looked so adorable that I had to run for my camera to grab the shot!

BUT - I missed it. Dang it, Claire! You decided time was up!

But you allowed me to snuggle with you for a moment while Daddy snapped some shots.

I love you both soooooo much!

Mama

The Zoo, Part Deux

Logan had a 5-day weekend over Halloween, and with that many days to kill we really needed an outing! So, the day after Boo at the Zoo we were back to give it another go.

First we had a little lunch at the Lakeside Cafe.

Claire checking out the chimpanzees.

We met up with our neighbors who had their extended families along as well. So many kids in every direction! You guys really kept us on our toes!

Taking a little break with the chimps.

There were still quite a few flowers in bloom at the zoo.

Riding the carousel.

Once again, Claire performed her "haywalking" routine. Every now and then she tried to become part of the scenery as well.

Logan and his buddy Jacob.

Now this was a feat - trying to get a whole mess of kids to look at the camera! Here Claire is clearly contemplating jumping off the haybales.

AND she's down.

Then of course we had to wait for her to climb back up, by which time no one could be bothered to look at the camera.

This is as good as it gets.

Things were hopping in Big Cat Country.

And this zebra looked pretty surrounded by the fall colors.

Claire ALWAYS takes time to smell the roses. That's my girl!

Every now and then Logan would give me a break and push little Lindie for me.

Checking out the bugs.

Butterflies!

The look on Claire's face clearly indicates "I'm done."

One more quickie shot of Logan and we were outta there!

I'm so glad you guys love the zoo!!

Love,

Mama

Boo at the Zoo

Last week we met up with our good friends Lisa and Maya at the annual Boo at the Zoo event. The week before Halloween the zoo opens up late and invites people to dress up and come see their cool Halloween decorations. We had a perfectly mild night for it and it was a great time!

Here we are in line to get in. This would be the only time Claire would be in her stroller!

Here is Maya as Belle, looking so pretty!

These haunted telephone poles sparked and jerked around.

Claire refused to walk on the path. Apparently bales of hay make a much better walking surface.

Logan can't resist a cartoon cutout. He has to stick his head in each and every one of them. Lucky for us, there were about 40 of them sitting around!

Taking a little break at the theatre in the children's zoo.

And of course, jumping right up on stage!

It would be nice if Claire were saying "it's your turn now, Maya," but in all reality she's probably saying, "No, Ni-yee, it's Cwaire's turn!"

Good thing toddler grievances don't last long!

Logan makes a good vampire bat!

The day I can get two kids sitting side by side with decent expressions AND making eye contact with the camera? Remind me to buy a lottery ticket that day.

Have mercy.

Animals are not the main attraction at Boo at the Zoo, but here we came across some flamingos in the lake!

I love this shot of Maya!

Claire and Maya on the carousel.

This was a cool black leopard. Claire didn't stay on it for long though! As soon as I'd put her on one animal, she would see another, "better" one to hop on. This continued through about 4 or 5 critters until the ride finally started!

The Humbolt penguins were out and about.

Claire doing her "jack-o-lantern face."