Halloween Hoopla

 Jackson discovered this beautiful rainbow one morning at breakfast after a little rain.

Phew. I needed a couple weeks to catch my breath! October was an exciting and busy month. As we checked off the days, and got closer to Halloween, the excitement for it intensified...especially from Jackson. He couldn't wait to decorate for Fall and Halloween...and made me get the boxes out on the first official day of Autumn. His class made all sorts of fun decor that embellished their classroom and our walls at home. Riley joined the excitement by saying "BOO!" to every ghost she encountered. We even splurged on a new Halloween dancing mummy that plays "Thriller." CVS always aims to please the Izzard kids.  

Our neighbors, the Scelfo Family, host an annual Pumpkin Carving contest and this year was the biggest and best. Even the SDPD stopped by as the party was winding down. No citations for beer in the street, just warnings about kids racing down the street on bikes and plasma cars. 

I CAN have my cake and eat it, too!

Our shark didn't win a prize but he looked cool lit up!

Riley wearing her dalmatian jacket to Trader Joe's one chilly morning. 

 Our friends, the Bartels, hosted a toddler Halloween party on the Monday before Halloween. We ditched music class for a fun morning of crafting and cute snacks. Dani is so crafty! 

Baby Gigi the owl with Ri  the Dalmatian. 

Always a teacher!

Riley and Avery the Cow

Braden and Jackson

Abby as a Wonderpet (she has a cape on).

Riley loved her pumpkins so much. She put them in bed and decorated with hair bows (of course).

Each year the local shopping center hosts a daytime trick or treating event. We took the kids and they got treats from the different shops and restaurants. They had lots of fans! 

 We made lots of Skinny Mini Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins in October! They are so yummy!

Riley became more efficient at mixing (i.e. no spills).

Jackson cracking his first egg by himself! 

You could really feel the excitement the week of Halloween. Jackson was SO excited hyper and his energy was on overload if that's possible. Finally, the day was here! 

Pumpkins and ghosts for breakfast

 We visited Daddy at work and stopped by the fire station across the street for a quick photo op. No firefighters present. Boo. :(

Sierra was part of a 101 Dalmatian team. He borrowed Riley's ears and tail.
Speaking of borrowing, if you're interested in refinancing  your home loan or getting one to buy a new place, let this big dalmatian know! 

Jackson and I crafted this mummy out of toilet paper, paper plates, and construction paper. He loved it and so did the trick-or-treaters. So easy!

 That night we put our costumes on for the fifth time and headed out to the Engler's pizza party/pre-trick-or-treat party. 

Treats for the pizza party. 

Firefighter Jack with his engine and puppy.

The wild Wild Meadow kids!

Sweet Claire loves Riley and Ri isn't shy with her!

Riley had more fun handing out treats than getting them. Maybe next year she will actually get out of the wagon. LOL!

Spooky! Saw this idea on a blog I spy on follow.

We gave out over 1,500 pieces of candy in 1.5 hours! Nothing was left...I even gave candy leftover from Laura and Noah's wedding candy bar! Ha! Someone out there has kisses with their picture on it! 

The one pumpkin I carved. Get it?

...until next year, Halloween!

21 months, Baby Girl!

So I can basically say Riley Grace is "almost two." SNIFF! SNIFF! I know these last three months will fly by even faster than the last 21 have as we have entered the holiday season. Riley is currently loving all the turkeys she finds around the house and will take you on a Turkey Trot to point them out. 

Daddy measured her the other night and we discovered she's 31 inches! She weighs 24 pounds and is wearing size 24 months and 2T clothes. What is the difference between those sizes anyways? I think the length in the arms and legs?

Ri is putting words together a lot now to form sentences and questions. "Where's _______ (Bubba, Daddy, Mama)? "What's that???" (500 times a day). At least Jackson is there to help answer those questions. She is a doll baby, that's for sure. She is the sweetest girl ever--always concerned when she hears a baby cry, and tends to her own doll babies like a little mommy. She even burps them after their bottles! I love seeing her grow...I just wish it didn't happen so fast! 

Riley with her lovey, Cuddle Bear.
He normally stays home but we brought him with us
 to help Shyly Riley turn back into Smiley Riley.

P.S. a little sneak peek of our family photos by the amazing Ashley Perry Photography. She's been capturing us since Jackson was 9 months old. Love her. xo