Halloween 2009

Who doesn't love Halloween? Seriously. I think that October is one of the best months, if not THE best, of the year. Halloween is a big reason. One of the best things about Halloween is the things you can make that are either crafty, yummy or scary. We were fortunate enough this year that Ammon took his three-day (the one break they "have" to take during cycle--they choose the three days) the last weekend of October so that he could spend some time with Matthew and me. It was SO NICE getting to see him longer than an hour at night and it was wonderful getting to do one of my favorite things to do at Halloween time. And since watching "scary" movies is one of Ammon's favorite past times too, we luck out at this time of year. I watched The Shining for the first time this year and even though it was on TV, I can understand why "they" say that it is the scariest movies of all time. I have not one time gotten scared during a scary movie; mostly we just laugh of find them comical. This one was seriously CRAZY! Jack Nicholson is one of the best actors I've seen after seeing this.

Other than that, I love Halloween because I get to make a lot of stuff. Last year, Ammon was at Drill Sergeant School and I sent him a bunch of treats in the mail. This year, I decided to make just as many things. Ammon never understands why I make all these things. I think I had something new done when he got home everyday. I LOVE doing it! Two of my favorite shows to watch are Cake Boss on TLC and Ace of Cakes on Food Network. I love Food Network...and would love to work in a bakery or something someday. I had so much fun doing these things this year.

Forked eyeballs for my visiting teaching ladies

(Donut holes with white chocolate)

Creature brownies for all the Drill Sergeants
(marshmallows on top)

Homemade orange marshmallows for the ward party
(Are great with the orange hot chocolate found a little down in this post)


Witch hat cupcakes for the home teaching families and neighbors
(Bugles with Walmart brand thin mint girl scout cookies)

Since I got Matthew's pirate costume for cheap in Vegas when I was there, I decided we would all dress up. I'd have to say that Ammon is the hottest "clean" pirate I've ever seen (since he can't very well be dirty like Jack Sparrow when he has to shave and have a bald fade everyday!). When he put on the costume, it could easily pass for a Prince Charming if you just change the striped pants. Anyway, we had a ton of fun dressing up and going to the ward party like this.
We were definitely the only whole family dressed up, but since I had to help the primary with all the games for the kids, it was so nice having Matthew spend that time with Ammon. It was supposed to be a trunk-or-treat, but with no surprise, it was pouring rain that night, so we did everything inside. The kids really liked their games we had for them and we had a great turnout for our ward. I am so proud of Ammon and wearing what I make him wear! He was such a good sport.

Ready to leave the party and not understanding why we need to take a thousand pictures. He actually kept his hat on about 85% of the time. When I bought the costume, he wouldn't keep it on for longer than one second, so I was so proud of him once Halloween came around!

Our house. I drew a body on the sidewalk too. It looked pretty good. I made the tombstones. One says 'I Told You I Was Sick' and the other just says 'RIP.' They have stood fine in our rain and wind. Just out of styrofoam and stone-colored spray paint written on with a Sharpie

This was at Ammon's captain's house. Shaina did such a good job decorating her house and she had so much good stuff for us! She dressed up her dogs and everything!

Trick-or-Treating. It got pretty chilly for him by the end.

I look so worn out here but this was after a long day and when Matthew went to sleep. Doesn't Ammon have the best smile ever?!

My mom always made us chili on Halloween every single year and so I decided to continue the tradition. I also made these hot dog mummies to go along with it.

The orange hot chocolate to go with the marshmallows

(white chocolate with a crap load of food coloring)

Ammon worn out as well. Actually, this was during the Yankees game. He was so nice to let me watch it since we were supposed to watch some scary movies. We did that during the day instead. It's back to work tomorrow. Less than three weeks til graduation!

P.S. Way to go Yanks!