Treats no tricks

It was finally getting dark...and Lexie pronounced "It's dark--I can finally go trick or treating!!!!!" She has been asking to go trick or treating everyday for about the last two weeks. Ever since I finished her costume...she has been begging to go--begging! We made sure the girls were nice and bundled up and headed out on our spooooky adventure!

Listening intently to the rules, with glo sticks in hand
This little cookie was ready to trick or treat
And we're off
The chef with his masterpieces
Cute little cupcake
Olivia showing off her 'tricks' with Ginger's bone
Our first stop was the Egan's house---it wouldn't be as much fun with out our friends!
Trying to stay warm
Mr. Rege was dressed up and had his garage decorated for trick or treat
We just love Mr. Rege
Frozen solid, but still having a great time
To infinity---and beyond!
Can't wait until next year...I'm already thinking of fun costumes to make!!!

A Spook-tacular Parade

It wouldn't be Halloween in Marion Estates without a parade! This year, I spear headed the event and coaxed Mr. Rege out into the cold to brave the elements by leading the parade. The kids loved getting to put on their costumes and see their friends all dressed up. We walked around the little loop, and when it was over, most of the parade goers made their way over to our house for a pizza party. It was a great time---I hope to have the video of it up soon so keep checking back! Special thanks to the Nicastro family for the video!!!

Who is that masked man/witch???
Lexie with her buddy Buzz Lightyear---err...I mean Cole
Baby Elias makes the cutest Monkey
Tomi as a Ladybug
Olivia checking out the "situation"
Best costume--and I've never watched an episode of Jersey Shore
Parade fun

Trick--ER Treat

Since Russ has been working quite a few 7a-7p shifts lately, he hasn't been able to see much of the girls. On this particular day, he had to leave the ER when his shift was over and head straight to the football field to cover a high school game---soooooo, he wasn't going to get to see the girls at all. I decided we would surprise Russ (and the other ER staffers) with a few tasty treats! I baked a few dozen cookies, dressed the girls in their Halloween outfits (yes, I am trying to get as much use out of them as I can) and we headed off to dish out some treats!

Surprising Daddy at the ER is fun!
Needless to say, the 'treats' went over well--oh, and they liked the cookies we brought too

Happy "How-da-ween"

I am pretty sure Lexie was in hog heaven. Not only did she get to dress up as Dora, but she did it 3 days in a row! She had her Social Butterflies party on Friday, trick or treat Saturday, and our neighborhood 'parade'--thanks to the weather--on Sunday. The costume was a huge hit...thanks so much to the Kadusons who generously gave us the outfit!!!

Shortly after Russ got home from work, we headed over to our wonderful neighbor's, the Egans to wish Al a happy birthday and take the kids trick or treating. We didn't venture too far from home (just did the little loop) but we made it to a few houses before the weather decided not to cooperate again. We were better off anyways...we didn't need a bunch of candy around the house...especially since we don't give it to Lexie very often!


Here is "Dr. Adams" all dressed up and ready to go! (Looks as though this potential future doctor isn't thrilled about the health care reform!!!)
"Dr. Adams" and her daddy ready to go trick or treating!
She just LOVES her daddy!
Sadie, our neighbor, makes the CUTEST little chicken!!!
Cole wanted to be a SPOOKY ghost...he is too cute to be spooky though!
Russ relaxing with the girls after trick or treating.


After trick or treating, Lexie took her Dora wig off and let her hair down...well part of it at least...and wanted us all to sing along with her. Click on the video below!!!



The next day was our big neighborhood parade. Most of the kids in the neighborhood met at the "main intersection" where we followed the biggest kid of all...REGE. Yes, the grand marshal of the parade was our wonderful neighbor Regis. He dressed up as a witch and led the parade on his quad! Such fun neighbors we have!

Sadly Lexie did not wear her Dora wig to the parade. It was all I could do to get her dressed in her costume and out the door...she took a 3 and a half hour nap that day...I literally had to wake her up to go!!!! I am so glad we did...she had such a great time!
The grand poobah--Mr. Rege!

Butterflies in Disguise

This week, Lexie got to get dressed up for her Social Butterfly class!!! It was exciting to see all of her friends in their creative costumes to celebrate Halloween. They were all so cute and very eager to show off their "characters". As usual, there was singing, dancing, story telling, snacks, and crafts...but this week, instead of a trip to the gym, the kids paraded through the school in full costume and trick or treated. Lexie had a great time (as evidenced by the 3 hour long nap that followed)!

Miss Melanie acts out the Itsy Bitsy Spider...quite possibly Lexie's favorite song!!!
Lexie as Dora--but of course!
Lexie and her Social Butterfly Friends listen intently to Miss Melanie as she tells the tale of 5 little pumpkins (sock puppet and all)!
The it was time for the Monster Mash!!!
Class photo--Just look at all of those cuties!!!!
Olivia having a good time watching all the kids in their costumes.
Time for peek-a-boo or "pee-da-boo" as Lexie likes to call it!!!
The Dora wig finally came off during snack time...which also doubled this week as part of the craft. They made these adorable "witch's hats"...then gobbled them right up!

Boo at the Zoo

The day before Russ was to be back from Uganda, I was going stir crazy and wanted to get out with the kids. I mentioned going to Boo at the Zoo with our neighbors so all the little monkeys could see the little monkeys! It was a great idea--in theory. We had a wonderful time, however, it was cut a little short. The zoo was absolutely packed with little ones dressed up and running from exhibit to exhibit to "trick or treat", collecting goodies in zoo-like fashion. The weather wasn't as nice as we would have hoped and Lexie didn't nap--until about 10 minutes prior to us arriving at the zoo. We muddled through the wind, and at times precipitation--and lack of sleep until we (I) called it quits.
Like I said, we had a great time, I just wished I would have planned it a bit better! There is always next year, but we got some great photos and made a few fun memories this year! Hopefully Russ will be able to join us next year!


Cole as "James" and Lexie as "Dora" riding in style.
Just look at those beautiful tigers!
Lexie was in love with the Flamingos!!!
Olivia says "BOOOO!" from the zoo

Taking a closer look at some animals

Our wonderful neighbors and friends, The Egans
The baby elephant was just sooo cute!!!
We went to take a closer look while she was inside
Lexie wasn't too fond of the smell, but loved getting so close to the "bay-bee ep-pa-pent"

Weekend at Nini's

Since one of my very good friends from High School was getting married (and I was in the wedding) we loaded up the Suburban and headed to Canton. The first stop was GG and Gpa's since Nini was working. The girls love going to GG's house (sorry grandpa...that's what Lexie calls it). Who wouldn't...they get spoiled rotten! Anyways, they were kind enough to agree to watch the girls while Russ and I got ready for the rehearsal dinner! Next it was off to Nini's for a weekend packed with lots of fun activities!!!


Rise and shine...it's time to play Nini!!!
Thanks for capturing this adorable picture mom!!! Our two little cuties side by side with smiles...well almost smiles!

Lexie with Aunt Allie at the pumpkin patch~this place looked like a ton of fun!!! Wish I could have gone!
Petting some animals...
...and more animals
Running through some corn
This is how it all begins...if I hear "but I want a pony for Chirstmas", I am sending her to you Aunt Allie!!!
Lexie on the train...
...apparently she LOVED the train!
"What do you mean I have to wait in line???"

Thanks for a great weekend Aunt Allie, Unlce Marcus, Nini, GG and Gpa!!!!