BOO!

Hatch family minus Dylan, who slept in the stroller all evening.

We started a new tradition this Halloween (okay, I started a new tradition and Ryan went along with it, albeit reluctantly). Our whole family dressed up for the ward Halloween party and for trick or treating. It was so much fun and it made the kids even more excited about their costumes.

Layla also started a new tradition this year: being a total girl and dressing up as two different Disney heroines. She wore her Esmeralda costume from last year to her school party, and her Belle costume for the church party and on Halloween night. I told her I didn't mind as long as I didn't actually have to buy or make her two different costumes (originally she waned to wear three different costumes, but I talked her out of it because the mere thought stressed me out). Her favorite part about both outfits was that she got to wear makeup and big hoop earrings. Pray for us.

Esmeralda

Belle

Weston eased into Halloween. On Saturday night he was a bit overwhelmed. I told him we were going to a party, but when we pulled into the church parking lot he cried, "I don't want to go to church!" Once inside he realized it was much more festive than our Sunday services, and began trick or treating with moderate trepidation. He wasn't scared of any of the costumes or decor, but when we came to a door belonging to a young man dressed up as a missionary Weston ran away saying, "I don't want the sacrament!"

By Halloween night he was ready to go. He practically ran from house to house as fast as his four inch legs would carry him. He would knock, say "trick or treat", take his candy, say "thank you", and leave with a jolly "Happy Halloween!" at every house. We went out with some of our neighbors and we let the older kids go at their own pace thinking we'd just skip a few houses with Weston, but he was adamant about hitting every one. He didn't want to be carried, but finally gave in when we came to the houses on the hill side of the street with 20+ steps leading up to each door.

We all had a blast, and even Ryan admitted that it was fun dressing up with the kids. I'm already thinking about next year. Maybe I can come up with a family theme for our costumes...