Boo!

It's that time of year again...HALLOWEEN!  In my opinion, once Halloween hits, I may as well blink, and it's already New Year's.  We have been enjoying many fall events, parties, and of course, Trick-or-Treating.  But first, let's back up...

At the beginning of the week, we attempted swim lessons, with Mike, again.  This time Payton made me promise to be in the water with her, so Griffin and I jumped in.  Payton was happier with me in the water.  Things went MUCH better, and she showed off her skills.  Griffin, however, was NOT happy being handed off to Mike, in the meantime.  He's getting very attached to Mommy and Daddy.  We had a good time, and I let the kids play in the baby pool afterwards.  I think I'll just give them lessons through the winter, and see how things go in the spring.  Payton isn't quite coordinated enough, yet, to be able to move her arms in tandem with kicking her legs, "freestyle."  We'll keep working on it!

Payton kept hiding in the lockers.  She thought it was funny.

Wednesday evening we took the kids to "Spooktacular at Morrison."  This is an annual family Halloween event, and the kids love it!  They  get to "Trick or Treat" at each of the stores in Morrison, decorate pumpkins with stickers, get their faces painted, get balloons made by "Mr. Twister," and the all-time favorite...ride the CHOO-CHOO TRAIN!  We met a group of friends, had dinner, and let the kids loose.  We didn't put Griffin in his costume, as at 70+ degrees, it would have been child abuse!  You'll get to see him dressed up in the Halloween pics below...

Griffin-1.  Pizza-0.

Butterfly-left side.  Elmo-right side.

Our friend, Virginia

Yes, he's attached to his blankie, just like his sissy!

Virginia, her sister, Charlotte, and Payton...Taking a break from Trick-or-Treating to play on the bike racks.

Sweet Moments...

All aboard!

It's someone's bedtime.  Nighty night!

On Thursday, it was Daddy's turn to keep the kiddos at home.  They had a WONDERFUL time with him at the park!  They even had "Chicka Fil A," as Payton calls it.  Payton made some new friends.  Daddy played with some camera lens filters he had bought.  Here's a glimpse of the fun:

Hey!  Where are your pants?  You mothers (and Granby) can sympathize...she had an accident.  Her mother brought no back-up clothes.  Pretty day.  No reason to leave the park, right?

We visited the Lazy 5 Ranch, in Mooresville, NC, on Saturday morning.  The Boughman and Carter families joined us. We went about this time last year, and it was a big hit with both the kids and adults.  Payton's favorite animal was the giraffe, and none of us like the mean, bullying ostriches.  As a matter of fact, Griffin tried to make friends with one and his fingers got nibbled.  He didn't like that at all :(  Payton was timid to feed the animals, at first, where Griffin held his hand out and giggled as the animals ate.  He got the hang of it immediately, and kept reaching in the bucket for more food.  Everyone had a great time!  I highly recommend a visit if you've never been there before!

Getting ready for Lazy 5!

Griffin and Will looking at all the animals...notice the ostrich leg to Will's right.  Sneaking up on the boys!

Payton and Raegan...friends forever!

Sneaky bird!  Cheryl's expression is the best!

Beautiful animals!

Anyone have a toothbrush I could borrow?

Um, excuse me...which way to the North Pole?

Payton was worried the ostrich was going to come up to her.

Look at the beautiful fall colors!

He has enough hair to blow in the wind...woo-hoo!  lol

Behind the scenes...

And just like that, the lights are OUT!  About 5 minutes out of the parking lot, Griffin was wide awake and sissy was catching flies.  Griffin fell out about 10 minutes later.  It was a fun morning!

Trick-or-Treat.  Smell my feet.  Give me something good to eat!

Payton insisted that she be "Elmo" for Halloween, so Elmo she was.  After searching through hundreds of costumes for Griffin, I decided he would be a sock monkey.  It would keep him warm, and it was super-cute.  Check this out...the left side is the "sock monkey model" from the website, and the right side is, well, Griffin.  Uncanny.

Ready for school!

Oh my...that smile...

 They had a little Halloween parade at Sardis Presbyterian (the kid's school).  Payton's class didn't come out, but Griffin's did.  Here are a couple of the other classes and cute costumes:

Halloween afternoon the kids were excited and the dogs were begging for someone to give them some candy.  We had a fun time playing, waiting on daddy to come home...

Payton helping Griffin wash his hands

Rock Star!

We look pitiful...please give us some candy!

Well, after a Halloween pizza (quick!) dinner, I realized that Griffin's sock monkey outfit did not make it home with him, from school.  After a few not-so-nice words, I re-grouped and Brian suggested Griffin should be a football player.  I had 10 minutes to come up with something...he has a jersey (good start), and I grabbed a pair of Payton's tights.  Stuffed some diapers in the legs of the tights, and on his shoulders.  A little black liquid eyeliner, and voila!  Auntie Cheryl and Uncle Jeremy brought Raegan (little red riding hood) and Camryn (buzzzz, bee) over, and off we went...So, here are our little Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween!

TOUCHDOWN!

Our #1 Football Player

Best football player impression!

Fighting over who gets to ring the doorbell...

Payton was a greedy little Trick-or-Treater, asking for "one more" at almost every house.  She did, at least, use her manners.

9pm...the aftermath!  (And they only had a lollipop for energy!)

Kissing his girlfriend goodnight.  He's looking forward to roasting marshmallows over a bonfire with Camryn Saturday night, on their date!

Payton is already behaving for Santa and "Elfie."  I'm not sure if she remembers Elfie from last year, but we've been talking about it, and how he reports back to Santa.  I keep telling her about Santa, and she'll readily tell you that he has a "big beard."  She says she wants a snowboard and camera for Christmas (seriously, not my doing!), so I keep telling her to behave.  Each day she tells me she's been a good girl for Elfie.  I sure wish time would slow down!  She is turning into a little girl so quickly...

This big hawk greeted me out my office window Monday morning

My view of uptown.  This picture doesn't do it justice.  This was the cloud cover from Hurricane Sandy.  It was beautiful!

Welcome to November!  Time to get your Christmas shopping done.  Bwahahaha!