Halloween 2011

We had a great time for Halloween this year! Instead of just a ward activity, it was a multi-ward affair. There was a huge carnival with face painting, cookie decorating, bowling with pumpkins, blowing through a straw obstacle course, doughnuts on a line, Meet a Princess, popcorn and a pirate ship. And there was a trunk or treat, but in an effort to keep the sugar to minimum for mom and dad, and for the girls as well, we offered the girls a toy instead of candy. We are thrilled that they picked the toy! Whew! I don't think they felt jipped in any way, though. They ate plenty of candy and cookies at the carnival. So much so that Monica said, "Uh, I don't feel very good, Mom. I think I'm going to throw up." To which, Leah replied, "My tummy hurts a little bit. Actually it hurts a lot." We had a great time dressing up and mingling with our friends. We sure love Las Cruces!

Monica and Leah both wanted to be princesses this year. I think they were far more excited about wearing some makeup than their actual dresses!  Ryan and I decided to be Gnomeo and Juliet. And we were going to have Jillian be a garden bush, but I couldn't find enough green for her. So she ended up being a gnome with us. Blue dress, red hat. (If you haven't seen "Gnomeo and Juliet", it's the Reds against the Blues. Super cute movie!)

 When I finished doing Monica's eye makeup, she opened her eyes and I was just awestruck. I told Ryan we were in trouble. I almost had to redo Monica's makeup. She thought I said she was in trouble!

 Our sweet girl.

 Oh, Gnomeo, Gnomeo. Wherefore art thou, Gnomeo?

 Sweet Jill! She didn't quite know what to think of her hat.

Beautiful, Leah. She fell asleep while I was curling Monica's hair, so she was a "get ready right before we go" girl. She didn't seem to mind. 

 Cinderella (Sara Hicks) and Snow White (my visiting teaching companion, Michelle McDonough) sewed their dresses. They turned out amazingly well!

 Leah kept cracking me up. She'd blow through the straw and then toss the ball forward with her hand!

Got it!