This year we did a family costume theme: BREAKFAST!
Thank goodness I was feeling better this weekend because we had all sorts of plans and lots fun! Friday night the boys went to a Haunted House and us girls had a girls night at home, Saturday morning we ran errands, Saturday afternoon there was this little thing called a nap that was heavenly, and Saturday night we spent with family, Sunday we ran more errands (it's never ending really) and ended the weekend at Night Eyes at The Blank Park Zoo. It was all so much fun!
Friday night the boys went to a Haunted House, well two of them at least. The middle mini (Harrison) and Matt went through, but the oldest mini freaked out at the entrance and would not go through the haunted house at Linn's Supermarket. Luckily the ticket ladies were kind enough to let him hang out with them while Hubs and Harrison went through. Harrison has teased Max relentlessly since then saying, "oh, the BIG BOYS went through the haunted house, but the little boy had to sit out."
Meanwhile, during the haunted house drama, lil Miss E and I had a girls night. I painted her nails, we watched The Little Mermaid, and made fall popcorn balls. It was a very fun, but a late night (as was the theme for the weekend it seems).
Saturday morning we did some grocery shopping (at our favorite HyVee), got our costumes ready for trick or treating, and went to Toys R Us for another round of birthday present shopping for friends.
They got some excellent ideas for Christmas in the Lego aisle!
Saturday night the oldest mini had his best friend's birthday party to attend (they went trick or treating at Living History Farms Family Halloween. He must have had a great time because he won't stop talking about the night), so Hubs and I took the other two out to dinner (their choice) and then over to my Grandma and Grandpa's to see family. We all had an excellent night. When we got home, all of the minis were too wound up for bed.....so they ran around, read books, and told ghost stories for an hour.
They picked El Rodeo for dinner. There was a lot of chips and salsa consumed by those two!
My Grandma Ann, Elizabeth Ann, and me (Ashlen Elizabeth). I love this photo!
Sunday morning we had more errands to run (I had to get supplies for the minis Halloween/Fall parties this week. Read more about that here) and had brunch at Perkins. In the afternoon the minis watched Halloweentown for the first time (yes, I consider this a Halloween show classic) and then we spent our evening at one of our favorite events: Night Eyes!
Playing games with dad while we waited for food.
My favorite breakfast (that I only have once or twice a year): eggs benedict, breakfast potatoes, and a peaches n' cream muffin.
Running errands just wouldn't be the same if we didn't have the windows down and the music blaring. Handclap is the minis current favorite to sing and dance to.
I snagged one too many good deals at Target, including these matching Christmas jammies with red noses! How could I pass them up??? I did, however, make the rule that they couldn't wear them until the day after Thanksgiving.
We also made a trip for mini pumpkins to Iowa Orchard, where we picked up $40 worth of little pumpkins and cherry apple cider!
After errands and resting a bit it was Night Eyes times! Night Eyes at the Blank Park Zoo is one of our favorite seasonal events. This year we all dressed up....as breakfast!
Grandma and Grandpa Harmeyer joined in too!
Saying "Boooooooooo!" as we rode through the tunnel on the zoo train.
My sister is on the events team at the zoo. We're all so proud of her and this event!
The minis and the tiger pacing right behind them!
These lucky minis even got to ride the carousel!
On the way home we drove by "the Halloween house" also known as our neighbor's who go all out for the holidays!
The minis went to way late for a Sunday night (Monday morning was rough). Hubs and I stayed up late and watched Halloween movies. My favorite part of this time of year is we try (and mostly succeed) to watch a scary movie every night. We watch the classics (Halloween, Nightmare On Elm Street, etc.) but we've also thrown in some one or both of us haven't seen (North by Northwest, Evil Dead, Invasion of the Body Snatchers). It's absolutely perfect: cool weather, cuddled up on the couch, and movies. It's a wonderful tradition!
Next weekend I have a four day weekend! I'm hoping to spend a fun day around the city with the minis, doing some fun Halloween festivities as well, and of course, trick or treating!