Lots of excitement and fun during the month of October to get everyone in the spirit for fall and for Halloween! We kicked off the Halloween festitivites with our friend's annual Halloween party on October 20th. After a few internet searches and a few vetoes from Rich we ended up going as Popeye and Olive Oil, which if I do say myself came out pretty cute, especially since it came from all things that we had from the house!
I tried to convince the kids of a few different family themes but they all also got vetoed so we ended up with an Army Ranger, a police office, a puppy dog and a ballerina. Ella's costume was the most surprising! It was Joseph's costume when he was in kindergarten. In September she was browsing Costco's costume selection of princesses and fancy dresses and then one day just decided that she wanted to wear his police officer costume and there was no turning back. I love that is what she wanted and went with it!! Jules was set on wearing her dance recital costume from last year, and although it was a bit snugger on her than it was last June, she looked adorable and loved it. Since we didn't have a family theme, I kind of pushed the ballerina costume with Charlotte since we have a million and one ballerina outfits at home and she was totally on board and talked about it constantly! *As a sidetone, Charlotte is totally obsessed with the Halloween baby shark song!Totally obsessed!*
Joseph looked at a bunch of costumes but finally decided on the Army Ranger, that came with a skeleton mask, which I'm pretty sure is why he ultimately ended up with this one, but he looked great, especially on the day of when we painted his face in camo colors. Such a fun time of the year!
Ella had Teddy from her classroom the weekend of the Pilchak's party so we snapped a picture with him before we went to the party.
Charlotte wanted a picture of her ballerina bun!
Piñata fun at the party!
On the afternoon of the 21st we made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch up the road from us. I actually ended up taking
Charlotte into urgent care a little earlier that day because she woke up from her nap miserable and complaining of a sore throat so was afraid it was strep, but turns out it wasn't and she perked up once we got there. Nani came with us and it was a fun Sunday afternoon!
Ready for the hayride! Ella lost/dropped her flip flop on the ride which I was afraid was going to be traumatizing but she handled it like a champ and thankfully other than picking our pumpkins the hayride was the last activity.
Well, we did have to take a picture or two. Notice the missing flip flop!
On Friday, October 26th Westwood had their Fall Festival which was a blast again this year. We walked up with the neighborhood crew but once we got there it gets a little crazy especially with it being dark so all kind of split up but loved bumping into all sorts of friends, classmates and neighbors all night long!
I hung with Julia and Charlotte for most of the night while Rich ran around with Ella and Joseph. The girls loved the train ride and all 4 kids loved the cake walk! Ella was the big winner and ended up coming home with 2 cakes!
On Saturday the 27th, after soccer games, we went over to the Westwood Club's fall festival for another round of fun and more cake walks, with winners!!! 
We hung with the Searcys for most of the time and had a bunch of happy kids!
Joseph was obsessed with this game and spent most of his time there!
On Sunday we went to Nani's for their Halloween party and had another fabulous day! Love these sweet kiddos and their costumes!
It wouldn't be a Halloween party without bobbing for apples!
Joseph got Poppa pretty good
Or pin the nose on the witch
Or, everyone's favorite, of eating donuts off of a string!
Get it, Char!!!
Yay Jules!
Oh and a new game this year of ring toss with the pumpkin!
And, another party favorite, the mummy wrap!! Hilarious!
So much love for our newest little cousin, Rudi!!!!
We were running out of time to carve our pumpkins but thankfully were able to find some time after school on October 29th. We let the girls color them first and then when Rich got home that night we got to carving. Such a fun tradition!
Love our four little pumpkins!!!
Charlotte and Julia had a trial run on Tuesday at Charlotte's "school" which we invited Finn to join in on the fun. They all were so excited to wear their costumes again and "dress up for my school" as Charlotte kept saying.
And, finally Halloween is here!!! Lots of excited kids up early that morning to get faces painted and costumes on!
First stop was the Westwood Elementary costume parade! I spy Ella!
And now, Joseph!
Next stop was the preschool costume parade! There wasn't any trouble spotting this sassy puppy (or cow as most people thought!).
She is full of personality and totally ate up the parade!
And, when she stopped in front of me and shook her "tail" and put her little "paws" by her mouth I couldn't stop laughing!!
The girls had gymnastics after school and they were able to wear their costumes which Julia was able about again! Ella didn't want to wear her costume and had no interest in doing the costume parade with other optional costumes that they provided but then participate in the class once the parade was done-she gets funny about certain things like that sometimes, while, Julia, on the other hand, loves being the center of attention!
And, finally, TRICK or TREATING!!!! Yay!!! The kids were awesome and had so much fun!! We walked with the Reppas', Vuong, and Laugesens and just had a great time. Charlotte totally got the hang of it and although I hung back with her and Julia they both totally loved it.
What a good looking crew!
The girls and I were home by about 7:15 and I got Charlotte to bed and Ella, especially, loved passing out the candy! Joseph and Rich were home by 8:00 so it wasn't too late of a night. They all kept saying how fun it was and Julia, especially, reminded us for days that Halloween is her favorite day ever. We just love the ages/stage that our family is in right now with all of the excitement and joy that every day brings. What an awesome month filled with fun celebrations!
