Halloween 2025

 

Halloween is always such a fun celebration! I love seeing all of the costumes, the way neighborhoods come together for fun, and the sense of community it creates.  

            

     

        

This year Ace invited several of his friends from school to come over and trick-or-treat in our neighborhood. This crew is usually "together" via a group chat while playing video games daily, but it  was fun to watch them laugh and interact in real life.  They all decided they wanted to be something scary, but Ace doesn't like masks or for his face to be completely covered so he opted for a monkey costume instead. ;)   

Lydia and one of her friends dressed as animals and went out on their own.  They ended up at another friend's house by the end of the night and called for a ride home because they didn't want to make the trek back. lol They were going to be "party" animals, but their party hats didn't arrive in time.  Maybe that's an element they can add next year. 

Mackaylan and Quin (and Mickey) stayed at the house on Friday night and gave out candy to the trick-or-treaters.  However, on Saturday night they went to a Halloween party and dressed as "Dog" the Bounty Hunter and Beth. They put these costumes together and they turned out epic! 

One Halloween tradition that we have had for many years is we always eat sloppy joes for dinner. This tradition started when Mackaylan was little and we would spend Halloween night with my parents, my sister, and her family. We still continue this tradition every year even though we are no longer on with them on Halloween. 

As I sit and write this post, I am looking around at the Halloween decor that needs to be packed up until next year. I have procrastinated taking it down all weekend.  I love the lights, the pumpkins, and the feeling it creates in the house. 

5 Friday Faves... On Saturday! ;)

Hey Friends and Family! 

I didn't get to my Friday Faves yesterday because it was a busy day of work, running errands, preparing for friends, and trick-or-treating.  I love Halloween night because of the nostalgia  and overwhelming sense of community it brings.  I love walking the neighborhood, talking to neighbors, and sharing lots of laughs (and a few scares!) I will post about our Halloween next, but I am waiting until Mackaylan and Quin go to their big party tonight because I definitely want to include their epic costumes in the post! 

Until then, let's get to this week's FAVES...

1- On Monday, Lydia's high school volleyball team played in the 2nd round of state playoffs.  While it didn't end the way we wanted it to, it's always a FAVE to watch her play at a sport she loves.  

2- Getting back into blogging has definitely been a FAVE.  I'm still trying to build this community back up and establish a routine, but I love having this outlet and "hobby" for myself... and my family! 

3- Book Character Dress-Up Day with my besties was another FAVE! The three of us make up the literacy team at our school and I couldn't imagine doing what I do without them.  They are so knowledgable, passionate about teaching and learning, and know how to have a good time! They are the BEST! 

4- Mackaylan and Quin offered to hand out candy while I roamed the streets with Ace and his friends. Seeing them have fun with the kids was a FAVE!  Knowing that they chose to hang out at the house and enjoy this holiday with us makes my heart so happy! 

5-  Seeing the Halloween decorations in our neighborhood is the final FAVE for this week!  I wish I would've snapped pics last night of some of the decorations, but trying to keep dibs on 5 preteen boys was all I could do.  But let me tell you... our neighborhood sure knows how to celebrate and decorate! These are just a few pics from our house which I am proud of, but we definitely are very "low-key" compared to the rest. lol 

That's all for this week's FAVES! Now, I am trying to decide if I go ahead and take down the Halloween decor this weekend or enjoy it for just a bit longer.  I guess that will be based on how productive I feel later today.  

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Let me know a few of your FAVES from this week! 

<<BIG SMILE>>


 

Wordless Wednesday- Sibling Edition

Share 4 Somethings

Today I'm joining Jenn for Share 4 Somethings.  This is a post to reflect on the month (It's hard to believe October is almost over!) and share some things we loved, some things we learned, some things that went well, and some things we let go of this month. Here we go! 

This month I loved our short trip to Great Wolf Lodge.  I hated that Mackaylan couldn't go with us, but the college girl had things to do. ;) We used to go to GWL every summer with my nephews, my sister and my mom when the girls were younger.  It was the way we kicked off summer.  Then life happened and the kids grew up. This was the first time we had been since Ace was just a few months old. I was worried that Lydia may think she was too old to enjoy it, but they both loved it... and Mickey and I did too!  It was so much fun having fun with each other! 

I also loved a fall night in the hot tub with my girls, celebrating Mickey's birthday, watching Lydia play volleyball, and going to the Renaissance Festival with the family! Anytime we can all be together is my favorite! 

            

          

This month I learned to accept and appreciate help.  After telling Mackaylan every day for a week or two that I was going to decorate for Halloween, she finally asked if she and Quin could just do it for me. Of course, I was so happy for the help.  We were away for a volleyball tournament one Saturday and when we came home that night everything was up and the house looked so festive! My love language is gifts and the both of them taking the initiative and time to do that was like a big "Boo Basket" to me! 

When I think about what went well in the month of October, I think about the week my mom spent with us.  She came and stayed for a week and it was so much fun!  She helps me get my house in tip top shape, makes sure no piece of laundry is left unwashed, and feeds us well every time she is here.  I love the time we get to spend together and do not take it for granted. It was a great week and I can't wait til she comes back to stay again! 

Last, but not least, the thing I (finally) let go of in October was the fun season of summer.  Here in the south, it stayed warm well into the very beginning of October.  I was able to come home most afternoons the months of August/September and enjoy time reading and floating in our pool.  It was the perfect was to unwind from school day, relax, and reset for the rest of the day.  Ace didn't join me very often once school started as he was eager to get home and play video games with his friends so it was essentially just "me" time! 

October is one of my favorite months and this one did not disappoint! 

Fast Forward.... 7 years!

 

It is hard to believe it has been almost 7 years since my last post! Where does the time go?!?

Blogging used to be such an important outlet for me and I definitely let it fall by the wayside as other forms of social media have taken over.  However, I'm ready to return! 

Let's recap the BIG life changes since my last post....

1- In July 2020 we packed up and moved across the state.  It was such a hard decision as we left our small hometown, lifelong friends, church, jobs and familiarity behind for suburban life with lots of new.  As time has gone on it's now hard to imagine being anywhere else. We have settled into new routines, everyone has made new friends, Mickey and I both love our jobs, we have a wonderful church family, and our kids have had lots of experiences they wouldn't have had otherwise. Life in FM is good! 

2- Mackaylan is now 20 and is a junior in college.  She is majoring in Psychology and is rocking young adulthood.  She has met a wonderful guy and they are managing their long-distance relationship like champs! She is hoping to return home and finish her last 2 semesters virtually, but the details to make that happen are still being worked out. 

3- Lydia has just successfully completed her first quarter of high school and is thriving! She made the Varsity Girls Volleyball Team and has grown as an athlete in ways we could've only imagined. School ball will finish up soon, but then we will move on to travel volleyball season.  She has aspirations to play in college and works hard on and off the court to hopefully make that happen.  She keeps us busy, but there is nothing like watching your child excel at something they work so hard at and love. 

4- Ace is in his final year of elementary school.  He is rocking 5th grade and is working hard despite some of his personal challenges that can sometimes make school hard. He is our gamer and loves making videos and YouTube edits.  He loves to draw and is a big anime fan.  He keeps us on our toes, but I can't imagine our family without our "little finale!" 

5- Three years ago we added another member to our family who is furry, rambunctious, and oh so loved! He loves belly rubs and gives the best kisses.  He drives us crazy on the regular begging for food and kidnapping items for treats, but it is definitely hard to imagine life without him.  

6- Mickey and I are both enjoying our jobs.  I am currently a Literacy Coach at the BEST school! I have some of the most wonderful colleagues and consider myself blessed that I love going to work each day. Mickey is a division vice president for a construction company, and while it wasn't the job that moved us to this new area, it is definitely where he was meant to be! 

Of course, those aren't all the changes in the past 7 years, but some of the most important. Life is good and I can't wait to get back to sharing it with you. 

<<BIG SMILE>>