We don't have very big trees, but the kids raked and raked until they came up with a pile big enough to hold them. 
Tyler did finally get enough leaves to bury Megan. She then complained she had leaves in her pants and shirt the rest of the day. I guess leaves are kind of like sand----really hard to lose.
After the raking and chopping of branches, Jeff came out to haul it all away to the dump. Luckily for the kids we have many more leaves to still fall. We just love the Fall!
The night began with a parade through the neighborhood with a fire truck leading the way. I had the neighbor taking pictures for me and he didn't get real close-ups of the parade. Oh well! We have a nice long video tape.
The parade ended at the park with cookies and milk. Just enough sugar to get them all back home for dinner. The weather turned out to be really nice. As you can see we didn't even need jackets.
Our great pumpkins lit up for the trick-or-treaters.
Megan was a die-hard. This is only a portion of her haul. She was out with Wendell even after Tyler finished. She got back just in time to see E.T. go home in the movie.
Tyler lasted longer than Emily on the streets, but he too got caught up in the movie we had playing on our queen size sheet in the family room. He had his bucket filled and enough big candy bars to last him until Christmas. We had a fun night and are glad Mammy and Grandma Grace could come and spend the evening with us.
Tyler was chosen as student of the month for October. He was picked because he is trustworthy. His teacher said he does what is expected and always has a smile. 
We were excited for Tyler. Megan and Emily just can't understand why he gets all the certificates and they don't get any. I guess not talking has it's benefits when it comes to teachers needing to pick model students. Way to go Tyler!
We had a busy month in October and it seems still. I had every intention of posting this weeks ago, but better late than never. Our first official party to wear costumes was the Ward party/carnival. No masks were allowed so we had to try out our make-up skills. I thought Tyler turned out pretty scary.
Emily donned her Barbie Fairytopia dress complete with the crown and high heels. She also wanted flowers painted on her cheeks to "look even more Barbieish." (Her words, not mine).
Megan was basically unrecognizable at the party with her get-up. Many people passed right by her and then did a double take. Her Frankenstein was unexpected.
After we ate and ate, the kids got to play tons of games put on by the Primary. Emily loved this cute Halloween Twister game. This is not her most lady-like pose.
Megan played the games, but is excited to be in Young Women's next year when she gets to help run the games. It's sad she's about outgrown being a kid.
I made 120 cookies again---which was half of last year. We still had some left, but not dozens and dozens like in the past. I need to remind myself next year that about 60 cookies will do and half the frosting.
Wendell dressed as a cowboy and the kids wouldn't let me dress in my witch costume. They told me I needed something different. Well, I think they were disappointed when all I came up with was a scrub shirt. I'll try harder next year.
Tyler, Emily, and Megan in all their glory.
Our next party was the traditional carving night with our friends. It just wouldn't be Halloween if we didn't try to have 10 kids crowd around our table trying to carve pumpkins.
The best part was trying to decide what to carve.
The finished products turned out awesome. 
The partying continued at school. Emily was a little disappointed in her first official Halloween party. She wanted to have it last longer and play more games. I told he maybe next year when the kids are a little older. She did make a cute bat.
Tyler's class had crafts and tons of games. His schedule was very full. They made Harry Potter wands and masks. Emily should have gone to his party.
The 6th graders really got into the games. That pumpkin they are kicking did end up as a smashed mess. I'm sad that this was Megan's last elementary party for Halloween. It was fun to help with this party, because the kids are able to actually play games and not need a million instructions.
Mammy's Halloween party was next. Soup in pumpkin rolls, caramel apples, chocolate, and oh yeah and pumpkin carving. Mammy went all out decorating with cool signs and of course her witches.
The finished products. Tyler did the skull, Emily the cat, and Megan that huge face. The black looking pumpkin is actually a zuchinni we carved. Lots of fun and great looking pumpkins. Now we were finally ready for the actual Halloween day.
Megan's class at school each got to bring home a huge pumpkin the week before Halloween to carve for the city Pumpkin Walk. Megan of course chose the biggest pumpkin she could and we just happened to have parked the farthest away that day. Just getting the thing to the van was a struggle.
She was proud of her creation and found it right away among the hundreds and hundreds of other pumpkins. We were just grateful the city hauled it to the park and then disposed of it after.
Tyler found his favorite pumpkin along the walk. 
Emily found this cute princess castle and proclaimed it her favorite. I think the candy that was passed out was the most favorite.
Since Megan pranced around the Treehouse in her fake high heels at age 2, we have gone to the Enchanted Woods during the Halloween season. The kids have loved the stories and treats they have gotten over the years. Well, a turning point in our lives has occurred. Megan informed us she was too old to go and Tyler only went because he didn't want Emily to feel bad about going alone. He didn't want to dress up, though.
Emily dressed in her Barbie princess dress complete with her own pair of high heels. Tyler tried to blend in the background most of the time and made sure he was always in the back during the trip through the woods.
Emily had a great time and Tyler liked it o.k., but he informed me he wouldn't be going next year. He wanted to move to the Haunted Hallow next year. I guess Emily will be going alone unless anyone wants to join in the fun for a couple of more years. I'm not ready for the kids to be so grown up yet. Where does time go?
Megan some how talked us in to letting her play soccer again this year. She does love it and is quite aggressive on the field. Her team ended their season on October 23rd undefeated. In fact, only one goal was even scored against them over the 7 games. (Megan was happy she wasn't the goalie during that kick). Many coaches over the weeks have complained that it is a stacked team, but it really was random--except for Megan and one other player who were added at the last minute only as bodies. Megan did her fair share of pushing and scoring, though, to make the team proud.
Tyler, on the other hand, has given up any aspirations of a soccer career. He spent the last 7 Saturdays playing with friends on the playground and bridges at the park. He is actually happy he doesn't play anymore. Emily is in the same boat and has given up soccer for ballet. We definitely have 3 very different kids.
Looking at the lovely shade of green, it is evident why they named the team the green extreme. Congratulations girls on a great season. We'll see how it goes in the spring.