Happy Halloween to all you ghouls and boys! It was a chilly night here in Nebraska land, but we sat outside and greeted our little neighborhood ghosts and goblins!  I wonder though, when did it become ok to not even bother with "Trick or Treat" and go straight to the "I'm going to hold my bag out and you need to put something in it"?  I don't mind spending $50 on candy and playdough to give away, but I'd at least like to hear the occasional "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You" for my money!! 
It was fun to sit outside with our homemade rootbeer bubbling away and visit with our friendly neighbors.  I do have to say that Nebraska has the best people!  I just wish it had been a little bit warmer.  Gloves, scarf, and heavy clothing is not my idea of the ideal Halloween weather.  Today's high was a balmy 50 degrees -- I miss my sunny Arizona more and more each day!

Here is a few pictures of our Halloween pirate and his loot. I have never seen so much candy come out of one trick or treat bag!  We are sending some to the teachers at Hickory Hill and Picotte, some to Ben in Georgia,  and some to our Kiewit friends.  Coltin was a little bummed out about the "sharing" but I think even he realizes that he can not possibly eat all of this candy -- although I am sure that he would like to give it a try!

Carving a Pumpkin..for the last time???

Ok, so I am a loser mom but I really DISLIKE carving pumpkins.  It does nothing for me.  I could live forever without doing it again and never miss it.  All those ooey gooey guts and seeds that NEVER get all the way out of the pumpkin, no matter what you do...and don't EVEN get me started on sillly little pumpkin carving knives that snap in half and have to be pried loose from their pumpkin graves.  But alas, the kiddos love it.  So, with a big sigh and a promise to myself that I can get a massage to reward my good behavior, off we go to carve a pumpkin.  But it occured to me this year as Colt was carving (or wait, that was me that was carving while Colt looked on) that perhaps this year will be the last in the long line of pumpkin carving torture.  This year is the last year we will have a child in elementary school.  Next year Colt will be in middle school (gulp) and Dakota a sophmore in high school, while Ben will likely still be serving in Afghanistan.  What if, along with outgrowning trick or treating and the jolly red elf that comes each winter, Colt also outgrows pumpkin carving?  Am I really ready for that?  This year Dakota refused to even pick out a pumpkin; he said he really didn't want to bother.  All of these little things that I have taken for granted the past 18 years, trick-or-treating, egg hunts at Easter, letters to Santa, they are all coming to an end.  My babies are growing up and I don't know if I am quite ready for that.  Will we be ok if we have NO jack'o'lanterns on our stoop next year?  I don't know--maybe I'll drop by my favorite Hobby Lobby and pick myself up a nice styrofoam jack'o'lantern that is pumpkin gut free!  Now that's the best idea I've had in a while. 

At least Coltin scooped most of the nasty pumpkin guts out himself!

Note:  This is the front side of the pumpkin.  There is only one pumpkin, Coltin designed and mom carved both sides.  It is the most interesting thing I have ever seen, but it makes him happy!

Back side of Coltin's 2-faced pumpkin. 

Happy Halloween everyone and enjoy those wonderful family moments, pumpkin guts and all!!

Georgia on My Mind...

One of the hardest things that I have ever had to do is to let my baby go.  How can he possibly be old enough to be out on his own and in the military?  Sadly, he can be.  We are so very proud of him and his decision to serve our country but aprehensive just the same.  I took a long weekend and went to visit our soldier boy at Fort Gordon in Georgia.  Georgia is a beautiful state but it pales in comparison to seeing my son's face in person!  It amazes me how much he has grown up over the past six months.  He is no longer my baby, but I love the man he has grown into.  Our relationship with him has strengthened and matured and isn't it amazing how SMART I have become in the past 6 months!  :)  Gotta love that!  Here are a few pictures of our amazing boy.  We love you Ben!