party animals

This weekend was a busy one for us--full of parties! I figured since we actually had decent costumes, we ought to make the most of them. Saturday night we went to Lufkin. Our dear friends the Hewetts have family there and we've become friends with them as well, so we all had a great time at the Lufkin ward chili cook-off, carnival and trunk-or-treat at the church.

Jed on the way

Rosie the Riveter, Peter Pan and a Gentleman Pirate chillin in the car before the party.

Maybe I am a terrible parent, but I feel that when we go to parties, Jed can eat what he wants and we don't have to fight about balance for one meal. That's what makes it a party, right? As a result, Jed had a hot dog, some fritoes and several mini-cupcakes. The sugar hit him a few minutes later and he was crazy!

The young women had set up this "haunted laboratory" with bowls of yuckies to put your hands in, a fog machine and a black light. Jed thought the grapes as eyes and pasta as brains were pretty cool, and he wanted to stay in here all night.

We had to tear him away from the crazy lights in order to go fishing, but then he was pretty excited about the GI Joe he got, so all was well.

Next we went to the musical chairs room, where Jed gave new meaning to the game:



Then we did the trunk-or-treat and Jed had a splendid time saying "trick-oRr-treat" and "thank you." I am really proud of him--it only took two days of practice at home, plus a few suckers, before he had "trick-or-treat" down pat.

Sunday night we went with some other good friends, the Tuckers, the Beavers and the Barretts, to the Baptist Fall Fest.

Jed forgot his pumpkin the night before, so he made sure we grabbed it this time around.

Mama and Jed enjoying our chili supper--the second one in a row!

At the Fall Fest, they had all sorts of games set up. Jed mostly wanted to run around and be crazy again, but we did manage to coerce him into doing a few things with us.

Jed's friends at the candle-shooting--Pirate brothers and a zebra and a peacock.

Jed and Daddy candle shooting. It took a w h i l e but we got that little flame out!

The next booth was a David and Goliath booth. The guy who was Goliath as hilarious. He had all these great faces and noises that he would make as the kids threw sponges at him. And he was an awesome sport--he wanted every kid to get a hit.

Scary Goliath

Somehow, I managed to get this action shot. So lucky!

He encouraged the parents to pick up the little kids and get in close so they could hit him too. Jed wasn't sure if it was really okay, but finally he loosened up and let Goliath have it!

Jed wasn't sure how the ski-ball is supposed to work, but he had a great time putting all the red and blue balls in separate holes.

Kaiya showing me her scary face--too scary!

Our favorite activity at the Fall Fest was the hay ride behind the tractor. We had an excellent tour of Crockett and even saw a house with a Christmas Tree already up. Holy cow!

Jed on the straw bales. I'm sure that can't have been very comfortable with the straw poking through his tights. Whoops, mama.

All of us ready to go!




Fun on the hay ride. And you can (barely) hear Jed's cute way of saying "Trick-oRr-Treat!"

It was a great weekend and we had so much fun. We are looking forward to a quiet night of pumpkin carving and yummy eats tonight!