Peso Penguin and Mr. Robot {happy Halloween!}

This Halloween was momentous in a way because it was the first year the kids got complete control over what they wanted to be for Halloween. While last year was fun when I choose Little Red Ridding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf, I knew it was a matter of time before the kids would really want to pick their own. 

This year they both had strong opinions in what they wanted to be. Both kiddos fell in love with the Disney show The Octonauts while on vacation this summer, so much so, that we purchased a few episodes since returning home. James has decided he'd like his 5th birthday party Octonauts themed, and Juliet was thrilled to choose Peso Penguin from the show as her costume of choice. 

This is what I had to work with:

She was one happy penguin come Halloween.

James chose a robot months ago because he wanted "grabbing hands." He was so excited about the grabbing hands he hardly thought about the rest of the costume at all. Luckily a silver painted piece of cardboard with a couple dials, a couple gears and a couple circuit boards did the trick. There were even two rows of LED lights that really lit up!

We paired it with a homemade headband, some grabbing hands, and some star knee patch leggings.

These two were excited! These ages are so fun, they totally get holidays and the excitement was tangible.

Lots of sweet "trick-or-treats" and "happy Halloweens!"

Neither one was afraid to knock.

Huge orange pumpkins and lots of fallen leaves make perfect backdrops. And notice James had a little back panel as part of his costume too.

We had such mild weather that nobody was in coats!

Lollipops were opened the moment they were received. Just like last year.

And we were treated to a an incredible sunset!

One of the best this autumn!

He was almost always a house ahead of his sister, but it was fun to trick-or-treat as a family.

Lots of crows in the darkening sky.

James's costume was cool in daylight but AWESOME come nightfall. Every single person we passed commented on it and said it was the best costume they'd seen. Notice we even added a glow stick below the large dial. It was so fun!

Lots of our neighbors go all out. This particular neighbor had a smoke machine, a black light, three real flickering candles and a live ghoul. So fun!

Once home we inspected their prize.

Lots and lots of sugar. Two very happy kiddos.

Little playdate with little friends

Early this morning, while it was still quite cold, we met a little friend at Wheeler Farm. James had preschool so it was a perfect excuse to play dress up with these little girls and indulge in pink cake pops.

Juliet was in such a grumpy mood, even the cake pop didn't entice a smile. Good thing our little friend was such a doll.

These two are too cute.

Thank goodness this babe was smiling. Juliet was having none of it.

October sun at the Farmhouse

Every year October is jam packed in the best of ways. Most years October is mild and beautiful, warm even. Taking advantage of every sunny day, every sunny moment, becomes crucial.

We try to fit in a last cabin trip in the beginning of October (or late September) and a last farmhouse trip in late October. Now that the kids are older we may try for a winter farmhouse visit, but farmhouse days are best spent out on the lawn in the sunshine.

Saturday was warm and beautiful. Damma and Grandpa joined us at the farmhouse. While we missed cousin Emilia, it was nice to have Damma all to ourselves.

When we go to the farmhouse we don't really "do" anything. We spend the day relaxing, taking a few scenic drives, playing on the lawn and a few long walks.

See my boys down there? They walked. Juliet and I drove.

James always wants to check on the irrigation ditches. The little gates that open and close and change the water's direction couldn't be more intriguing to this water obsessed kiddo.

Juliet is such a mini me it's crazy. I love to tease and bother E. James doesn't like to tease much (he doesn't even tease Juliet much) but Juliet is a huge tease. She found a little leaf and kept poking its stem into E's nose (something I've been know to do) and she thought it was so funny.

We've been visiting these same horses for almost ten years. All those years ago we named them. This is Butterscotch and Lady. They are still the sweetest horses around. (Here's a post of James visiting the same horses when he was tiny!)

This little stinker thought feeding the horses was the best ever.

Lots of huge smiles and big laughs.

Instead of spending the night we drove out and back in a single day. Luckily we stayed late enough to catch the sun dip low into the sky.

October at the farmhouse may be my favorite.

Farmhouse {Then & Now)

Oh what a difference a few years makes.

October 2009. Nine months pregnant with James.

July 2010. James is seven months old.

January 2012, James is two and I am nine months pregnant with Juliet.

October 2012, James is almost three and Juliet is 9 months.

August 2013. James is three a half and Juliet is one and a half. 

Yesterday. October 2014. James is almost five (FIVE!!) and Juliet is two and a half. 

Wild how quickly it all happens. 

Garden After Dark

One of our favorite Halloween traditions is visiting Red Butte Garden for their annual Garden After Dark event. This is a busy event, so while we usually have the garden to ourselves in the daytime, it takes a little adjusting to share it with so many at night.

That said, the event is totally geared for kids and it is super fun to walk around as dusk turns into night.

There is only about 15 minutes before twilight sets in, so I always try to head to the beautiful corridor of orange leaves. This year wasn't as stunning as years past (last year and the year before), but still orange and gold.

Juliet was in such a grumpy mood in the beginning.

Robot James was as happy as can be (as always!).

Soon it grew dark and Juliet was LOVING it. Notice James's homemade robot costume has lights? So fun!

Flowers look hauntingly beautiful in growing darkness.

Watching the last bit of light.

Every year James's favorite part is the smoke machine. He's obsessed. This year he got his sister involved.

Happy Halloween! Such fun.