Happy Halloween

Halloween started off with our Neighborhood Halloween Party.  There were bouncy houses, face painters, lots of pizza and a DJ playing "What Does the Fox Say" on repeat due to audience (small children under 12) requests.

Parker got his hand painted (a pumpkin) with some assistance from daddy cow.

Carter asked for a Spider on his face.  This was his first time getting his face painted, he has always asked for it on his hand before.

Enjoying the bouncy house slide

Two cows on the Tennis Court

Playing with our neighbor and his soccer teammate

And of course, there was wrestling

Best attempt at a group shot

Carter decided to be a Prince for his finale (yes, his fourth costume of the year/week)

After the party, the kids lined up for the Halloween Parade which is a polite name for the mad dash for candy.  The boys made it to about 5 houses before they lost interest and wanted to head home to hand out candy instead.

House 1 with Daddy Cow

House #2

Happily at home handing out candy - we set up shop in the driveway.

Parker wanted to go back out so we took him by himself.  He really enjoyed getting things in his bucket.

Cow King and a worn out tricker-treater

Late night sparklers

We let the boys stay up a little late but they were both exhausted and crashed hard.  So mom and dad hid the rest of the candy and did the same.  Happy Halloween!

Pre-Halloween Fun

Leading up to Halloween we took the boys on a few practice runs to dust of their rusty Trick-or-Treating skills.  Didn't your mom teach you that "Practice Makes Perfect"? [and more candy for mom and dad ;)]

For our first practice, we hit up Boo in the Zoo.  The have several Trick-or-Treating stations set up around the zoo and a party tent with a DJ and games. Carter picked his Pirate Outfit to wear.  The boys had a blast and came home with lots of goodies!

Their first stop - love Parker's cow butt

One excited Pirate

Parker had to see the goats.  Fortunately he did a good job keeping the goats from running away.

Pirate C got in on the action too

Someone looks hungry....

We went to the Gorilla Trivia Show.  Carter of course sat up front and raised his hand to answer every question.  He got the two he was called on right.  Did you know that every Gorilla's nose is unique just like fingerprints to a human?

When their feet got tired, the boys did drive through treating.

We walked the zoo backwards which meant the Giraffes were out for feeding, they are typically closed when we walk by.  So we couldn't resist taking advantage.  Look at that tongue!

I think that Giraffe is Smiling!

After the zoo, we took advantage of the nice weather and played in the front yard which gave a nice opportunity to take some picture of our decorations.

The Holden carving skills are increasing in difficulty each year...

Our last pre-Halloween stop was Trunk-or-Treat at the boy's old school.  Parker loved walking up to random people and putting out his bucket.  Carter picked out his Buzz costume (after being a Fire Fighter at school that day).  It was extremely busy but we ran into lots of old and new friends which was fun.  

Checking out the newly earned booty

I think the Boys have finished their warm-ups and are ready for the main event!

October

October was a busy month for the Holden's, work, house and two active boys kept us on our toes!  Mom and dad found time for a crazy night out on the town riding the Furbus and dancing until 2am.

As for the boys...

Parker (23 months)
Sweet, little Parker is inching towards that 2 mark.  He is definitely developing classic toddler behaviors like crying on demand when he doesn't get what he wants, yelling "No Mom" (yes Mom) and "Mine" and being an overall picky eater.  But he has the sweetest little smile and says thank you for everything, that makes it all better.  He is definitely quieter than big brother but that doesn't mean his personality isn't as bright.  He loves playing with other kids, being outdoors and always is carrying something around.  His first 2 years molar is just breaking through so there have been some cranky moments and of course a stomach bug.  He also went through a bit of a growth spurt where he slept 12-13 hours at night with 3+ hour naps - no complaining from the parents on that one.  But overall it was a great month.

Helping move some fire wood

Playing hooky from school with dad at Waffle House

Playing soccer with the big kids

Someone thinks the Time out chair is fun (he crawled in it himself)

Pointing out his body parts... belly button is his favorite.

Shoes with PJs... he gets weird about shoes.  He likes to wear them all the time and will bring people shoes to put on at random moments.

His happy place at the zoo... petting every goat.

Carter (3 years, 5 months)
Big brother is such a toddler... sweet,hand-holding, hug-giving boy one moment and crazy, energetic, always right maniac the next.  He is a smart little guy which unfortunately means he has to know everything.  He is also in a weird nap phase where he naps at school during the week but refuses to do so at home on the weekends.  So he is a terror by bed-time Sunday evening.  He continues to love make believe and turns our living room into a different local each night.  Lately it has been a pizza parlor, ice cream shop, beach or boat.  Unfortunately the stomach bug also got him a few times this month but nothing too serious.  And soccer has been wrapping up which is a bit mixed as Carter has been losing more interest each week but it's nice to see his friends outside school.

Insisted on sleeping with a bucket when he was sick

Waiting for his turn at soccer practice (Carter is in yellow)..

Team pictures

Goofy smile

Sweet smile - he looks all grown up!

Playing a funny game with coach dad at practice

Hanging with his best buds and Mickey

At Disney on Ice with Mom

Leaving Disney on Ice with mom

Playing in mom's heels

Sorting Tuperware... in heels

At the Dentist, helping brush Dino's teeth before his turn

And no month is complete without lots of musical performances, parades and "shows"

Brothers
The boys were on an art kick this month.  But their interest in painting paper only lasted so long.  Up first was red nose Parker.

Then it was dad's turn.  Both boy's wanted in on the action...

Happy Painter Boy!

Colin tried to teach the boys to give back massages...

Which turned into a wresting activity (as things often do).

And the boys caught a few football games.  They really enjoy the pre-game activities of the player walk and watching the band.

And tailgating of course!

And a last picture just because... the boys invited some friends to dinner.

Happy October!