Spooky Fun

We have been packing in the Halloween fun. Let's get movin--we have 2 additional parties tomorrow, so I have to get up to speed, or I'll be outdated forever.

First up--the Carter Family Pumpkin Carve-Off and Feats of Strength Party. You can call it CFPCO&FOSP for short. We missed last year, but to quote Steve Leeflang--it was a lot more fun than we thought it would be!

Here are our classy hosts, showing off their delectable and fancy cookies

Don't buy the image they're trying to project, folks. Ashley was pushing these fatty tater skins like they were going outta business. For the record--they were delicious, and the runaway hit from the well-stocked buffet table.

The aforementioned delicious buffet table

Hayley moved in, and did a grand dance showing her appreciation for the caramel dip and tater skins.

We took a photo to celebrate our cute, smooth hair

First up--the pumpkin carving! Everyone writes an adjective down on a piece of paper, and then you draw one. Your gourd has to be carved to reflect what you drew. We drew bootylicious.

Lancer hard at work carving our "masterpiece"

Ta-da! Our interpretation of bootylicious. Neither of us has any artistic genius when it comes to carving pumpkins. Sadly, B will be raised in a family that only does boring, run of the mill jack-o-lanterns.

Here are all of the pumpkin contenders

We lost. No surprise there. On to the feats of strength. Here's Ashley explaining how she doesn't mind being the heavy, and enjoys alientating her guests in the name of a good party.

Tyler drew up a bracket with everyone's names so we could keep track of the winners...and the losers.

I went arm to arm with the lovely Alie. We were in a brief stalemate....

.....but then she cleaned my clock. A loser--again.

By luck of the draw, Lancer went up against Alie's husband, Steve. They went 3 rounds. It was crazy!

Sadly, round 3 also ended in clock cleaning by Team Leeflang.

Look at them gloat! I approve. Actually, Ashley and Tyler won the party, so the Leeflangs came in second place. Whatevs! They went home with a giftcard to Xahn. They're winners in my book!

This was part of the prize package, so I was cool with losing.

Not really. I hate losing. I feel like Ashley in the Spooktacular Spectacular. It's a really sad and lonely place to be. Speaking of--thanks for a fun party! I'm going to start pumping iron so I can beat everyone next year.

On to the next big party. Our ward decided not to do a Halloween party, so we crashed the one in Sunnyvale. They were very welcoming.

B was a little gnome. I'm totally in love with this costume!

We went trick-or-treating door to door in the church. B was totally onto this whole candy collecting biz.

Mmmm. First suckers. B's a fan.

We also hit up the indoor trick-or-treating at Westgate. Same deal--put on your costume, meet up with friends, and then collect some delicious candy.

More candy.....

and balloons

Partying with our spooky little friends

We had a great time, even though it was packed. I will definitely make this part of our annual holiday list! B was all tuckered out.

We also had a Halloween bash with our playgroup on Friday. Kristine hosted--bravely, I might add.

The babies had a great time. Look how cute these 3 are!

Bennett finally learned to deflect Blake's paci-stealing antics. Last time, she jumped on his back, and took what she wanted. This time she tried--and was promptly deflected!

HIYA!!

Not so fast, Superman. Blakely decided that a coy approach was better. Look closely at this pic--she's casually stealing the crisps from his hand. Nice work, Blake!

We played a rousing game of "Where's Beezie?" This is her favorite way to pass the time.



Had fun with all of our little buddies, including taking a few swings at the pumpkin pinata!








Thanks for a super fun afternoon, Kristine. We are so fortunate to have you as friends!

We also hit up G & M Farms in Livermore. It was a very fun day, and we also got to have some time with Daddy!






She had so much fun running around the patch. She got dirty as all get out again. I love that she's not a super girly girl!

We got some Mom and B time in as well.

We also got to do some winging with Daddy. She was smitten--with the swinging, and her fun Daddy time.

Look at her face in this picture!

Naturally, we had to take a few turns on the slide as well. She has no fear--she will even go down steep slides like this face first. Just like Mamma!


The coolest part of the farm is this dried corn pit that you play in like sand. I'm from Iowa, so I totally felt at home.



Looking forward to Halloween tomorrow night! Thanks for all the spooktacular fun so far! If you made it this far, I will reward you with a poster on good handwashing hygiene just like the one from the party!