BOO

Halloween with young kids is so much fun. 

This year's Halloween celebrations stretched on and on with multiple events and costumes changes - the girls talked about being Snow White and a witch for weeks before Halloween, so a couple of days before the first party I took them to the costume store to get the last few pieces for Lili's witch costume. Taking two little girls who love to dress up to a costume store just days before Halloween was a gigantic mistake. In the thirty minutes we wandered through that store they each changed their minds at least 10 times. At least. We finally settled that they would both be hula girls, wearing the grass skirts their Aunt Julianne brought back from Hawaii. So, we purchased a couple of leis and flowers for their hair and called it good...until it was time to get dressed for the party... 

The first stage of the Halloween extravaganza was the ward Halloween Party - which we were in charge of. Wow. That was a big job. We were able to put together a great team who really went above and beyond with their sections of the party. Overall it turned out extremely well and we had lots of ward members tell us that it was one of the best ward parties they had ever had, which they may say every year, but it sure felt good to hear! *notice that there are no hula girls in this photo

 Our friends the Erickson's headed up a "mad science" lab that the kids just loved! Who wouldn't love a chance to mix slime and goo?! The party also included a haunted mansion, sugar cookie decorating, a chili cook-off (with 18 different types of chili!) and a trunk or treat to finish up the night. This party was one of the biggest events we've ever been in charge of and it was really an incredible experience - although we wouldn't be too upset if we weren't in charge of another ward party for a while!

Halloween morning! 

Kylan kicked the morning off right with his jack o'lantern oatmeal. As the girls get bigger, it's been fun to see how the simple things - like raisins in the shape of eyes - can add so much to the spirit of the holidays. Their excitement keeps us looking for new ways to make the holidays special as we continue to create our own new traditions.

 Costume parade at Escondido Elementary! 

I remember participating in the Lone Peak Elementary parades and now it's my child's turn! 

I just love this little girl - even though she was changing her mind about which costume to wear up until the minute we actually got on our bikes to take her to school - and she does make one cute cheerleader!

The school's Halloween celebration was really fun. They had the entire student body come out to the black top and make a giant circle around the edges. Then each grade level got a turn to parade around the circle of students and parents. There was music blasting and all the teachers were dressed up, which always seems to take things to a whole new level!

 Here they are in their final costumes *still no hula girls

Both of these costumes were last minute treasures that we pulled from our costume chest, and although I was a little bit annoyed to see the leis and flowers that I had purchased sitting on the dresser, how could I possibly be mad at that Minnie Mouse face?!?

 A Lundeen Halloween tradition!

The girls love carving pumpkins with Kylan because he lets them create the faces then he brings them to reality. This year they were on a "kitty" kick, so we had meowing pumpkins!

Our trick or treating group consisted of both family and friends, which seems to be the perfect combo. The girls just love having Satchel-man and Eero-dero for every event, and when candy is involved it just takes things to a whole new level! Sheila and Kylan and a class together last year and she's become a great friend for all of us, so we were happy that she wanted to join us and all these crazy kids for trick or treating!