Halloween: The Residency Years

This past Halloween marked our LAST RESIDENCY HALLOWEEN. It felt like the first of our lasts for residency. Does that make sense? Its like now that we have done our last Halloween here I can start counting down. Not in days. But in months and holidays. Gosh I never thought this day would be here. But alas we are here. Time is goofy like that. It just keeps marching on. No matter what. Even when it feels like the days and years will never pass. They do. And to be completely honest, despite how challenging these past two and a half years have been overall I am thankful to be here. Thankful for this sweet time with my kids and the friends we have made here. So now a trip down memory lane. All our residency Halloweens.

Intern year Joe was on a month of night for Halloween. So our grand Halloween plans consisted of me getting all the kids in their costumes and then waking Joe and he joined us walking around the neighborhood with our new neighbors. Admittedly the trick or treating was only so-so. We did lots of walking for very little candy. Most houses were dark and not passing out candy. Plus at that point we were NOT accustomed to the heat and humidity so it was slightly uncomfortable...

He's the baby. He gets two pictures!

And THAT was Halloween 2015. Our first Halloween in Texas. Hot & sweaty. Slightly underwhelming.

Now Halloween 2016 was kinda a big deal. I created Star Wars themed costumes for our entire family...despite knowing nothing about Star Wars. I even dyed my hair blue. We all got very into it. And it was fun.  Our entire family wore these costumes to the residency Halloween party. And many pictures were taken. 

Then on actual Halloween, the kids and I headed out to the island to trick or treat. Rumor had it that was the best place to trick or treat. And I'd say the rumor is true! Joe was working, but that didn't stop me from loading up my crew and heading out for good trick or treating. It did however prevent me from getting many pictures. Despite having help from residency friends, keeping track of four kids while trick or treating is challenging! 

Challenging. But totally worth it! The Island did NOT disappoint. It was about 2-3 blocks that went ALL out. The houses were decorated. Spooky music was playing. Everyone was in costume. And the candy was plentiful. And the company was great! Oh and there was even a photo booth. Coolest trick or treating ever! (Here is where I admit that 4 of the above 6 pictures are not mine. I borrowed them. Because chasing 4 kids while trick or treating does NOT lend itself to picture taking). Alas we had a good time and that's the most important part.

Which brings us to Halloween 2017. Joe was at an EM conference in Washington DC on Halloween. So I found a trunk-or-treat event for him to attend with me and the kids BEFORE he left town. I mean...I couldn't let him completely miss Halloween, could I?! I however took zero pictures at that event. So its pretty much like it never happened. Kidding. Here are the pictures of the kids I took before that event.

Ok. This one was from our pumpkin carving night. Just had to sneak it in here:)

And then on Halloween morning, Charlotte woke up with pink eye. BOO. I seriously didn't know what to do. Our plan was to go back out to The Island for more trick or treating with residency friends but I didn't want to pass along pink eye. Charlotte go to spend the day with Levi and me at home and then after starting drops and talking to friends we decided to continue our plans as scheduled! Thankfully residency people aren't afraid of a little pink eye. So with my wagon loaded full of waters and snacks and my kids in full costume we headed out to join our friends. Oh and this was the evening I made my debut as Belle! Isaiah and I were: TACO BELL(e). Get it??? 

Once again I wouldn't have had a single trick or treating picture if it hadn't been for friends taking them. I never took my phone out once the entire evening. I did however bring my video camera. As in my old school hand held video camera that I take family home videos with (and eventually burn to DVDs). However I am embarrassed to admit it but my video recording skills these days are pitiful. You know that thing your parents did when you were a kid...that thing where they thought they were recording you but they actually weren't? And then when they thought they were not recording they actually were recording? So you ended up with 5 minutes of footage of the ground and people's feet. Remember that? Well I apparently have turned into THAT parent. I did however realize my mistake towards the end of the evening so I quick took some very boring footage of my kids walking down the street. Not actually trick or treating. And then during the video I said "Happy Halloween 2016".  Perfect. Pretty much should have just left the video camera at home too. 

Levi's First Haircut

I don't know what it is about this last baby but I seem to be dragging my feet on a lot of things. Like potty training and transitioning to a big boy bed. Neither of which have happened around here for Levi and most definitely had happened by this age for all of his older siblings. Ok. I kinda do know the reason. He's my last baby. And I am in NO hurry for him to grow up. I'll just keep him a baby forever. Kidding...mostly:) Growing up I was always a little annoyed when my mom introduced me as "my baby" but now I GET IT. Levi is most definitely MY BABY. Even if he is almost 3 years old.  Back to those big milestones. The first haircut. I love Levi's silky blonde baby hair so much that I just couldn't get myself to cut it. I mean I trimmed that back a few times. I couldn't let him have a full on mullet. But an actual HAIRCUT nope. Until today. This morning I was looking at his hair and realizing just how ridiculous it looks. 

So much body in the back and completely flat everywhere else. It was time for a change. Time for him to look a little more like a kid and less like a baby. Initially I was thinking I would take him somewhere to cut his hair. You know...like to a professional. But then my desire to be lazy and stay in my pjs all day won out. And I set up this little DIY haircut station in the living room and turned on Paw Patrols on our TV for this Paw Patrol obsessee and got to work...

And I think it turned out alright if I do say so myself! I mean obviously I am biased.

Its painful smiling for the camera when your favorite show is on! Also 33 months seems like the perfect age for a first haircut. We wouldn't want to rush these things. 

TEN Years of Pumpkin Patches

We had an abnormal cool day here in the beginning of October. Cool enough that Levi was able to wear jeans and a sweater ALL DAY. For reference, we are still currently wearing t-shirts and shorts daily. So despite it being a busy day I decided to take advantage of the fall weather and take my crew to the "pumpkin patch" for our annual pumpkin pictures.(I use that term very loosely as it is literally a bunch of pumpkins in a field next to a church on a busy intersection. It lacks all things I typically associate with pumpkin patches but I digress...) And despite the hurried pace and lack of planning it turned out well. The kids had fun. We bought a couple pumpkins. And I got my picture(s)...more or less!

 I LOVE the pumpkins this much too Levi!

Isaiah did NOT want any pictures taken. Yet he gladly jumped into his sisters' picture. 

See what I am saying about the location?
That's a movie theater behind us and across the street is a McDonalds and a gas station. 

But it just wouldn't be fall for me without a pumpkin patch visit. This was our tenth year of visiting the pumpkin patch with our kiddos. Not sure how that decade went by so fast?! I'm hoping that this is our last year at a pitiful "patch". I mean I know we won't be going back to our favorite patch in Wisconsin but certainly our post-residency town will have something better to offer, right?!? Time will tell.



And because I haven't been the best at blogging these last couple years, here is a look back at all our "pumpkin patch" experiences in Texas:

Fall 2015:

Fall 2016:

Mom mobile

Looky. Looky. I got a new van!!! Ok. Not a brand new van. But new to me. 

I've only been dreaming about this day for the last 1,882 days. And yes it's just as wonderful as I thought it would be!!! 

The car salesman told me before I drove it off the lot tonight that "it's basically like driving your couch" which I thought was perfect since I like to live out of my vehicles. I think me and this van are going to get along quite nicely. And if all goes well I hope this a long term relationship. I know I'm committed. Call me crazy but I can (almost) picture myself dropping my kids off at college in this van. It's only 7 years away...

Ok. But back to the present because my heart can hardly handle the idea of my babies in college. I'm not gonna lie I'm feeling pretty fancy in this new ride of mine with its leather seats and back-up camera and all sorts of other bells and whistles that I have NO idea how to use yet. But more than that I'm extremely grateful for a vehicle that isn't falling apart. The doors don't crumble when my children touch them. And the drivers side mirror isn't duck taped on. The engine doesn't shudder or quit when I'm idling. And the radio works. It stays on the station of my choosing instead of changing at random (that was extra fun during our 5,000 mile road trip. Not!!!). And so far all the doors open and close correctly. All of which feels extremely luxurious to me. I feel safe and well cared for in this van. It might just be my new happy place.