Halloween, 2011

We were so happy to have the Hermans back this year to trick-or-treat with us.  Last year we ventured to Chancellor's Ridge neighborhood to Trick-or-Treat with the Giovanellos (while the Hermans spent Halloween in Missouri with family).  We were eager to go back to the neighborhood and add the Herman clan.  As a parent, I've learned plans don't always go as expected.  Unfortunately the night started out quite dreary with a cold rain.  Bryce wasn't really happy about his puppy dog costume and the rain wasn't adding any cheer to the situation.  Amy decided to stay home with Bryce, while Dale and the girls joined Danny and me for some trick-or-treating....we were all bummed Amy and Bryce couldn't join us.  Her absence also left me with full responsibility of pictures for the evening.  Night pictures are always a challenge, but I did my best to capture the girl's excitement that night.  Emerson and Ivie certainly got what trick-or-treating was all about and Macie, while understanding, just tried to keep up with bigger girls.

The loot we left on our doorstep for any trick-or-treaters that visited our house.

Emerson got first dibs!!

Little Red Riding Hood and the Not-So-Big, Not-So-Bad, Wolf!!

Little Red Riding Hood

(A big thanks goes out to Emerson's classmate Melania (and her mom, Rebecca) for allowing us to borrow Melania's costume from last year.  It fit perfectly and solved our costume debate that went on for weeks.  And it meant I didn't have to purchase a costume, Sweet!!)

The ONLY good picture of the four of them...and saying "good" would be a stretch.

The game plan was to follow each other to Chancellor's Ridge, park on the road and start our route around one of the larger neighborhood circles.  When we got there, it was still drizzling, so we rallied and I drove the Herman's van, while the guys walked with the girls holding umbrellas (not that the girls stayed under the umbrellas).  We decided at least the van could follow and the girls could hop back in between houses (yeah, right!).   There was no stopping our little trick-or-treaters, their excitement was too much and rain was the last thing on their minds.  Luckily about ten minutes in, the rain subsided and we ended up with a beautiful (and just a tad wet) night!

Let the fun begin....TRICK-OR-TREAT!!!

We had a little sibling rivalry between Macie, Emerson and Ivie (Emerson's basically family) for ringing the door bells first.  We had to step-in and create an every-other-house rule so each girl had a turn. 

Mac-Mac in her Blueberry Muffin costume!!

Danny's turn at the wheel of the van....checking Facebook!

Ivie in her Raspberry Tart costume with her new candy necklace that she seems very eager to open!!

We never could get in touch with the Giovanellos but we finally met up with Aurora and Melania for a few mintues.  They were headed out as we were headed home.  Oh well, maybe next year!

Emerson loves flashlights and was intent on carrying the one Danny brought.

Amazingly enough, the girls weren't afraid of this scary character waiting at the bottom of a staircase. 

After coming in for the night we had to make our yearly trip to Jasper and Janice's house for a quick trick-or-treat. 

One last attempt at a picture of all the girls in their costumes.

Family shot!!

I'm sure Hogan had a stressful night with all the trick-or-treaters we had, but he was happy to see us when we returned home!

Mimi and Birdie came over after our outing to see Emerson in her costume, give her a small gift, and watch her go through her candy.  

The LOOT!!!!

MY CANDY....I'm not sharing (as she lays on top of it)!!!

Just like her Mommy, she separates the M&M's into colors and then eats them!!

We hope you all had a fabulous Halloween.  Every year brings a new adventure but one thing is constant, the smile on Emerson's face while she trick-or-treats with good friends!!  Until next year...