The Longest Halloween Recap EVER!

Oh Halloween...where do I begin?  It is the holiday that won't quit here at the Griffin's.  I feel like we've been celebrating for a month and I have 80 pictures to prove it.  We had several firsts as a family this Halloween.

1. Sam experienced his first Halloween

His shirt says, "Don't scare me I poop easily".

Good thing Lennon didn't scare him.

Yes, he is double her size and only 6 weeks older!  They don't call him Crusher for nothin'.  They didn't really get into trick-or-treating this year.

They got some lovin' from their devilish Grandma Jeri instead.

Grandpa Curt joined in as well.  The whole family came over on Halloween night for soup so all the kids could trick-or-treat together.

2. Max experienced his first Halloween being sicker than a dog.

Luckily he felt o.k. for his Halloween party at preschool but on Sunday morning he looked like this.  He was up all night coughing, throwing up, and battling a fever.  We took him to the doctor and found out he had a yucky virus but nothing that antibiotics could fix.  Poor Mino, I've never seen him so miserable.

He rallied and attended the kids Halloween parade at Snow Springs.

He REFUSED to have his picture taken on Halloween night.  This was the best I could do.  

He decided he wanted to trick-or-treat for a bit so he suited up and Randy was going to take him when he threw a major fit...which brings me to the next first...

3. Max wanted me to trick-or-treat with him.

Max typically prefers Randy over me 99% of the time, but he would not step foot outside without me.  It was a great moment! Trick-or-treating is kinda fun.  I ditched my hostess responsibilities and enjoyed every second with Raphael.

4. Hank cleaned and carved his pumpkin, by himself...sort of.

He woke up at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday morning and had one thing on his mind...CARVING.  It just happened to be the morning Max was incredibly sick.  This kid can't take no for an answer so he took matters into his own hands and cleaned out the pumpkin himself.

 I was impressed with Hank's carving ability.

 Here are the fruits of his labor...I may have helped a little.

 He even helped Grandma carve her pumpkin.

This was Grandma's masterpiece.

5. Hank had his first Halloween Parade and Halloween Party as a 1st grader.

This picture was taken at approximately 6:30 a.m.  Hank insisted on riding the bus as a ninja.

I didn't get any good pictures of the Halloween parade but it was fun to see Hank and all his cousins at school.

I was in charge of the treat station for his class party.  We made popcorn hands and ghost suckers.

There are some darling kids in his class this year. 

6.  Hank experienced his first Halloween with diabetes.

 I must say this little boy is truly amazing.  He never once complained about having to take his blood checker in his trick-or-treat bag.  He didn't eat piece of candy without letting me know.  He even had the presence of mind to recognize he felt low while racing around the neighborhood with his friends.  Good thing he checked because he was 56.  

Good thing he had his cousins around.  These kids totally have Hank's back.

This was there attempt at an action shot.

These lovely ladies also joined Hank around the neighborhood, not Kate though..she was too busy bonding with Sam.

 Even though Jack calls Hank "Miox" he totally has his back as well.  How amazing does he look as Plex!

The thoughts of Hank having massive quantities of candy around seemed like torture for him.  He decided he wanted to trade his candy in for money at the dentist office.  My mom and I said we would match the amount of money he got and my dad said he would pay 5 dollars for every pound of candy he collected.  Hank is extremely motivated by money so he was on a mission.

My dad is so proud of Hank.  He is such a brave little kid.  Grandpa gladly paid him 40 bucks for the 8 pounds of candy he accumulated.  Hank even gave him a hug!

My mom also paid up so all together he made $64.00 that night.  He is still deciding what he should buy.

I have to mention my mom's contribution to Halloween.  There is no way I could have helped in Hank's class, carved 3 pumpkins, made dinner for 25 people, and cleaned my house without her.  It was so great having her to myself all afternoon.

7. I experienced my first, and hopefully last, Halloween with Bell's Palsy

Hank captured a great shot of it...ugh.  I was carving a pumpkin if you were wondering.

Randy and I had a blast at the Evil Ball this year.  You can't tell because I can't smile, just look at Randy's face and that was how I felt on the inside.

The rest of the night I had to either kiss Randy or turn to the side every time someone took a picture.

Trust me, palsy face is not flattering.

I'm kind of running out of firsts...so here are the rest of the Evil Ball pics.

 Sarah and Brett had these genius costumes and kept me entertained all night.  Sarah has even better dance moves when she is a pregnant stick figure.

I was a little worried she might go into labor!  

 Hmm..what to say about these two.  Kate channeled her inner 7 year old boy and Dan proved once again that he loves to shave his body and dress like a woman one day out of the year.  Kate in that wig kills me!

 He even corrupted Dorothy.  How awesome are my parents, by the way. 

 Chris and Missie...Mr. and Mrs. Avatar

 Larry and Becky...Bret Michaels, and the Black Swan

 The Evil Ball Director and his wife...Mr. and Mrs. Scissorhands

 Jeff and Dan...wow what a pair!

 Shellie and Jeff recreated the movie Carrie.  I've never seen it but Shellie did a fantastic job freaking me out.

 Wyatt and Lindsey

 Grandma and Grandpa would be so proud.

Here are some random photos from the dance floor.

 

 What a perfect night out. We really needed the Evil Ball this year to relax and have fun with our family and friends.  Jeri so kindly watched the kids and put them to bed at a reasonable hour, then waited for our late return home.  Phew, that's it.  This post nearly killed me.