Happy Halloween

This year, Bradyn was set on her Halloween costume for months before the big day.  Of course it wasn't something 'easy' - we had to purchase a number of items for it to come together (including 2 items from across the border), but come together it did.

The night before Halloween, I braided Bradyn's wet hair.

Like previous years, I headed to Bradyn's school during lunchtime in order to help her get ready for the afternoon school parade.  We took out the braids and pulled out the brown hair colour spray.

Voila!  My little Hermione Granger.

Even after the parade while they were having their class party, Bradyn couldn't stop smiling.  One mom was a bit confused and asked me if she had really seen Bradyn as a blonde with braids that morning.  She thought Bradyn's hair was actually a wig!

Bradyn insisted on trying to make our house 'the scariest one on the block' this year.  While I admit I was hesitant to invest much money in the decorations, it turned out pretty good.

Aunty Ita showed Bradyn how to make eyes in the bushes using paper towel rolls and glow sticks.  They were awesome!

The BFF's before heading out to trick or treat.

After all the excitement, I realized we didn't even take a picture of Baby Avery in her new costume.  Is this not the cutest thing you've ever seen?  

Almost as good as this...

When we got home from Trick or Treating Friday night, we dumped all of Bradyn's candy on the kitchen counter and then Dallas, Ita, Kevin, Bradyn and I all picked through to get some favourites.  Yes, there were LOTS of mini chocolate bars eaten that night.

On Saturday morning, Bradyn decided that she didn't trust the adults in our house, so she took matters into her own hands and did an inventory.

She thought this would help her know when one (or more) of us ate her candy.  What she didn't factor in was the matter of actually identifying WHO ate the candy once she realized some was gone.  The good news is that we're a pretty honest bunch around here and we have been asking for permission before we raid Bradyn's stash...... sometimes.

Laity Pumpkin Patch

We first discovered Laity Pumpkin Patch when Bradyn was 8 months old.  This is still one of my favourite pictures that we have of her.

October 2006

A few weeks ago, Bradyn, her BFF Diana and I headed to Laity because Bradyn insisted that we HAD to go to a pumpkin patch this year.  It was an extremely wet weekend, but I obliged (I think I was trying to get some 'good Mommy' points that day).  They still had all of the attractions I remembered, along with some new additions.  I asked the girls to humour me and pose with all the 'Little Kid' cut-outs.  

We HAD to have a tractor picture for Poppa.

I got all nostalgic when I saw this little "hut" again.

October 2007

October 2014

This is the exit of the corn maze.  The girls never actually made it to the exit because all 3 times they attempted the maze, they always wound up back at the entrance.

October 2007

October 2014 - different part of the field but man, has she ever grown!

Re-fueling, and taking a break from the rain.

Diana was un-fazed by me telling them they each owed me $1 for the snacks, but Bradyn was not impressed.

Too bad we didn't get to carve this one!

VERY wet, but very fun day.