Happy Halloween

Our ward had our Fall Festival on Saturday before Halloween. We had a great time. This year we decorated the trunk with potions, since we had a scientist, and since dry ice is just so much fun. I only managed to snap 3 pictures the whole evening, but I had to let you see our potions. :)

What a holiday! I find myself fighting against all odds to make this holiday last only about one week. I did my best. We had a great time of it this year. We carved our pumpkins, made our favorite cookies (and promptly took them to share with friends the following day...can’t be too careful with these...or I’ll eat them all myself), went trunk AND trick-or-treating, won for best trunk at the ward trunk-or-treat (oh yes we DID), and didn’t spend one red cent on costumes (hooray!).
Owen dressed up as a scientist. This was his choice. He wants to be a scientist when he grows up and we have been working on experiments (moon mud, oil and water, tornado soda bottles...thanks aunt jamie!) and learning lots of fun stuff. I tried my work coat on him and he and I were both thrilled that it fit! And, nerd that I am, I kept my big goggles from college Chemistry class and he wore those too. At the ward party someone asked him if he were a mad scientist, to which he bellowed, “I’M NOT MAD!!! JUST A SCIENTIST.” He sounded a little mad. Our trunk was decorated with bubbling, steamy potions. It was fun.
Olivia borrowed a costume from her cousin, Rylee (actually 1st cousin once removed...that was for my mom). She thought she was Strawberry Shortcake and who am I to correct her? She looked cute and has been bouncing around the house for days in her costume. She is the most easy-going Anderson by far and if someone asked her if she was a fairy, she said yes, or if a princess, also ok by her. She is easy-going but does have an opinion too. Once while trick-or-treating the kind lady putting candy in her little bag was met with a stiff arm from Olivia and an, “I don’t like that kind.” I was a bit speechless. We obviously didn’t review our trick-or-treating etiquette.
Jonah was a frog. I nabbed this costume years ago after halloween and it finally fits someone at the right time. He looked awesome and was great! He even said trick-or-treat a few times! Not that anyone but Nate or I could decipher it well. He was happy wearing his costume, walked around the neighborhood (slowly) and only went to a few houses, but he had a great time and was fun to have along for the night. My other kids have not fared so well at this age, but he was great.
We went to my sister, Cheryl’s house for dinner and trick-or-treating. Cheryl is amazingly hospitable, as always, and made her rockstar southwest chicken soup. Another Happy Halloween. :)