Happy Halloween

I just couldn't resist.

Bonfire

We spent an evening gathered with family around my brother's bonfire. Hot dogs and s'mores galore. Good laughs and crisp cool air.

October Sky

As we were leaving the Halloween village the other night, the boys couldn't help but notice the gigantic air pillow in the distance. It was basically a huge trampoline filled with air, pillowing up from the ground. They begged to stay and check it out and insisted they weren't hungry even though it was way past the dinner hour.

I had to admit that the giant pillow was intriguing. And I wanted to reward the boys for behaving so well during our jaunt around the village. They didn't complain about taking pictures, they actually stayed within my view while admiring the witches, and they even initiated an entertaining dance party while I fed the baby.

So, I threw my rules out the window regarding dinner, homework and bedtime for the night. Sometimes the moment and fun, pure childhood matter more.

The air pillow was only open for a half hour longer when we arrived and the boys made the most out of every minute. They jumped and bounced and tumbled and soared to their hearts' delight.

Even Crew ran up and down the air filled tarp without an ounce of hesitation.

He also thoroughly enjoyed the rocks surrounding the air pillow.

It made my own heart soar to watch them have the time of their lives, especially since the spontaneous activity was well earned. And just when the evening couldn't seem to get any better, the most transcendent cluster of pink and orange clouds washed over us.

We sure have had a lot of beautiful sunsets this month.

And it never hurts to earn mom points while simultaneously enjoying the October sky.

Cops and Robbers

Nash decided he wanted to be a police officer for Halloween over six months ago. He stuck to the idea, so I ordered his costume early. When it came in the mail, the boys immediately started playing cops and robbers with the accessories. The idea for the rest of the boys' costumes was born and Blake came up with a clear vision of how he wanted the robber costumes to look.

Nash took his job as the law enforcer seriously.

Blake was caught red handed as robber #1. 

Don't let that innocent look fool you. Crew, or robber #2, was just as guilty.

Of course, we couldn't leave out Finn, the tiniest robber #3.

As per tradition, we visited our favorite Halloween village with decorated witches. 

Robber #2 wanted nothing to do with his gloves, hat and mask. Little did he know, his fingerprints made him the easiest suspect.

In the end, robber #1 was triumphant. But the cop has since perfected his command to "Stop in the name of the law!" And since we have five more events to wear costumes to this week, the battle rages on.

The Blue Sharks

Another soccer season has drawn to a close. We were thinking about taking a break from soccer this fall with the arrival of baby Finn, but the coach from last season really wanted to keep Blake's team together. He was such a great coach that we couldn't resist the invitation. It actually ended up working out perfectly that we had the baby two weeks early, because the majority of the games and practices fell while Troy was on paternity leave.

Blake always enjoys playing soccer with his buddy Liam and he especially enjoys adding another trophy to his collection.