Captain Cilantro & Me

Seriously people, I went out like this in public! What was I thinking and who talked me into this? I was trying to plan ahead for a costume but it ended up being back-ordered soooooo, like usual, Collin and I put something together a few hours before. Usually right when we are heading out the door I have second thoughts but I look at Collin and die laughing then I convince myself that it's okay to be a dork and purposely embarrass myself on October 31st.

I never did think of a super hero name or a clever super power but here I am with my date: Captain Cilantro.

Our darling Lola Lamb.

Beautiful Belle! My friend, Jen, made this costume... and Avery loved it. She loves the songs from our Disney Princess playlists & Sing Along dvds since she's never seen the actual movie. At the end of the night we recorded her and her cousin Lilla, who was also Belle, singing Beauty & the Beast songs while holding hands walking down the pumpkin lit streets. It was a happy momma moment that's for sure.

One of the only times in Avery's life she's let me do her hair was on Halloween morning as we were getting ready for the school parade... next stop, Toddlers & Tiaras. ;)

For a 3 year old who changes her outfit all day long and has been wanting to be a princess on Halloween for months it was surprising that we had to bribe her to get into her costume,"You'll get lots of candy!" and then she fell asleep in the car on the way to my sisters... so she wasn't diggin the pictures. But let me tell you, we were dying laughing because she's a smart little stinker and her candy bucket was full to the brim by the time we were done. We couldn't figure out how she had so much more candy than everyone. Until the last door when we heard her saying, "this one is for Allison, this one is for KC, this one is for me..." while she picked out her candy.

Poor Avery is sad in above picture because Captain Cilantro's boot accidentally stepped on her fingers. The best was my mom consoling her, "It's okay, we'll put some candy on it." lol

And lastly, an ode to my mother, who ingrained in me when I was a little girl a love for Halloween & a desire to humiliate myself for candy! heehee... love you mom!

*Studio Calico & Ali Edwards December Daily Kit giveaway still open below!!

Happy Halloween!

October 31st is one of my favorite days of the year. Seriously, I am giddy right now... & I am also wearing a blonde, curly wig. Trying to figure out what my character's name is... Last year it was Cliff. I can't believe I was pregnant with Lola last year at this time. Sheesh, I can't even image what life was like with out her now. Gotta go & finish the rest of my get-up.

via Martha Stewart

above image from Sundries&Plunder

I hope you have a Happy Halloweeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!

Happy Halloween!

It took Avery about an hour this morning until she asked where her candy was. Candy, what candy? (As I was hiding the kit kat in my hand.) Poor thing did all the hard work last night and here I was reaping the benefits. But this girl doesn't hold her sugar well, so I traded the goods for a chance to watch her favorite movie.

Avery changed her mind a few times of what she wanted to be for Halloween. First, it was Ariel then Strawberry Shortcake, until finally she settled on a witch. My favorite was when I handed her a glittery broom and she replied so excited--"Oh, goody! So I can clean like a witch!"

Quincey fit the part of Minnie Mouse perfectly, posing and prancing around.

Meet Cliff & Gladys:

I woke up in an ornery mood on Halloween so my outfit was quite fitting. And if I didn't already feel not very cute at the moment... why not make it worse and be an old fart named Cliff with a comb-over and mustache? Good thing I have my saucy wife named Gladys to lift my spirits! Collin played the part the whole night. We were laughing so hard... and I continue to laugh every time I see these pictures.

It's just not right.

Oh my.

Hope you're having a spooky weekend! xo

Trade ya three Smarties for a Snickers...

Halloween is definitely the most fun when you have kiddos to dress up, fun people to run around under the stars with & our traditional homemade chili & homemade root beer... oh, and don't forget the candy.

This year Miss Q-bear was the cutest Tinkerbelle.

Woody & Jessie + two little fairies.

There are not many costumes where my retainer & a fanny pack can be an accessory. Meet the nerds... 

Our yodeling cowgirl... I kinda feel guilty that she worked so hard trick-or-treating, saying "Happy Halloween" & "thank you" to every house and now I am the one enjoying all the candy. I give her until 10 am tomorrow to use her sixth sense and find the loot... 

The rest of our trick-or-treating crew... (love all of you guys and your Halloween spirit!!)

Just laughed looking at the past 3 Kartchner Halloweens. 

diehards

Yesterday I took a nap cuddled up with Quincey while listening to the pouring rain. I had to type it so I don't forget it. It's my new 'happy place.'

I also don't want to forget how-at the moment-Avery is repeatably running in & out of my office cheering, "Ta-dah!" each time she enters. I need a Mac just so I can have photo booth and show a visual of what we're doing while I blog. :) 

 

Here's what our girlies looked like on Friday, a flower & an angel.

This Halloween was definitely one to remember. It was Avery's first experience trick-or-treating. Last year doesn't count since we were the ones holding out the pumpkin & saying "Trick or Treat":) This year was awesome!! It only took one house for her to realize what Halloween was all about. One house. The rest of the night this is what we saw... 

 

her and Buzz running from door to door. Avery figured out she could use her charm to sneak an extra treat or two. Too bad she didn't get to enjoy her hard earned treats. Oh... except when we thought they were being *too quiet* and Camille found the angel and Buzz devouring their bags of 'nummies.' I bet they thought they were in heaven. :)

 

We had a brief intermission because of the rain and I was ready to call it a night. This is where I realized that after a 12 year break from trick-or-treating with my mom and sisters-they are still diehards!! I laugh out loud when I picture my sister at the front of our circus parade saying, "keep moving, keep moving!!" haha! We couldn't even stop to chat or munch on some candy. :) 

   

 

I was Lucy. :)

We had a blast at Beth & Susan Opel's Halloween Party! 

I'm really gonna miss Cleetus. 

Happy Halloween!

We went to our friend's Halloween party and it was hilarious because Avery made this face the entire time. Just staring at us like we were crazy.

As you can see Collin dressed up as Borat! I was Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas Movie, and Avery was half of her fairy costume. But don't worry-my mom raised me right-and she will be decked out and knocking doors til her feet hurt tonight.

It'll be fun when we go trick or treating because Collin and I will get to eat all the candy. Haha.
When I was little I was the type that hid my candy in a big pillow case somewhere that my sisters wouldn't look. Then in March I would find it and the candy would be old and nasty and I'd have to throw it away. A sad moment for a girl who had 13 cavities in one dentist visit.

I was also the best candy sorter and bargainer. That night no matter how tired I was from running from house to house I had to spread out all the candy on the floor and separate the good from the bad. Bad=smarties, sweet tarts, pennies, and those orange and brown pieces of taffy. Then you start talking your little sister into trading her snack size snickers for 3 of your smarties. Works every time!

I just remembered one year at our condo we ran out of candy, or we were so busy with school and work we never bought any candy. But the 20 minutes we were at home we were giving away granola bars and canned goods. How would you like to carry that around all night!

My favorite Halloween treat: Kit Kat Bar (Haha that reminds me of the last Office episode. "Break me off a piece of that...applesauce...Chrysler car...football cream.")