Our Halloween

Hope everyone had a fun Halloween! Zac and I had a great time getting everything together for the event. Last year we didn't do much and as a result we didn't have that many trick or treaters. We decided this year we would carve more than just one pumpkin each and make our walkway look inviting.

Zac got started on hallowing the pumpkins and carving them.

Zac is much better at carving pumpkins that I am. Watching several pumpkin carving competitions inspired Zac to try carving faces into the pumpkins by only shaving off the rinds.

I think it turned out very cool. He also used a chunk of pumpkin to sculpt a nose for his creation. He attached it to the face with a toothpick.

My pumpkin was a little more cute and friendly. I drew out a template for an owl and carefully carved out each piece to create this little guy.

Unfortunately, we carved those two pumpkins a little too early and they fell victim to our still warm central valley temperature. We waited until Halloween day to carve the rest of the pumpkins. On these pumpkins, Zac decided to go more friendly than creepy and he created these funny faces.

The kids really seemed to like these little guys.

We covered the porch with fake spiderwebs, draped cheesecloth style fabric over the window and porch light, hung spiders, placed a pile of foam skulls and bones in the corner, and lined the path with our pumpkin creations and candles.

While the kids got a kick out of the funny face pumpkins, our pumpkin lanterns were a big hit with the grown ups. We used a drill to punch holes into these mini pumpkins and lined them along the our walkway. We loved the way they looked so we've decided that next year we'll make a bunch of them and use them to line the driveway as well.

With the decorating done and plenty of candy, we were ready for the trick or treaters.

This was our Jim's first Halloween. We usually dress him in little sweaters and shirts so he was a good sport about letting us put this little hot dog costume on him. Doesn't he look so adorable? He was a big hit with the trick or treaters. One little boy was so excited to see little Jim his mom literally had to drag him away to head to the next house.

After the first trick or treater came to the door Jim was hooked. He planted himself on the steps by the door and didn't move the whole rest of the night. Jim's never been one to bark when the doorbell rings so he didn't go crazy with each group of kids that stopped by. He was pretty excited however, and we could hear him begin to whine for us to open the door seconds before the doorbell ever rang. (*By the way, our walls are not vibrant yellow :P)

Even when we attempted to lure him away from his spot on the stair with a treat he wouldn't budge. Eventually, as it got later and the trick or treaters stopped, Jim fell asleep.

Jim enjoyed his first Halloween. How was everyone elses?