Halloween Weekend

After several months of trying to make our schedules work, we finally had an opportunity to head west to Manhattan and visit our wonderful friends, the Stoddard Family, in their new home.  Since it was Halloween weekend, we were also able to take in some of the festivities in town.  The Sunset Zoo in Manhattan had a SPOOKtaculour event where kiddos could stroll through the zoo in costume and stop at various stations for tricks and treats.  A perfect activity for our three/almost-three year olds!


Trick or Treating at Sunset Zoo



Jack's first treat.



Jackson & Ashlyn rushing to the next stop




Buddies!




Getting a lift from their Daddies

 Here is Ashlyn being very brave and petting a boa constrictor.  Yikes!

Drew was relieved when Jackson decided he was brave enough to touch the snake, too.

As always, we had an absolutely fabulous time with the Stoddards.  Good friends are hard to come by and we sure appreciate Dustin, Brandie and Ashlyn.  It was especially fun to see the kids play so well together.  Our get-togethers have evolved from drunken tailgates to family outings at the zoo, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

The Halloween festivities continued for Jackson at school on Monday.  All the kids went to school in costume and then trick-or-treated at a nearby assisted living center.  He was so excited to see his buddies dressed up like Buzz Lightyear and Spider Man!

And here is our little pirate on Halloween Day 2011. 


Arrghhh, Matey!

 Jackson & I had a fantastic time trick-or-treating on Massachusetts Street in Downtown Lawrence where all of the businesses stay open late and hand out candy to the kids.  Thankfully, we got started early and were ready to call it quits before it got too crazy and crowded!


Water break



This year was Jackson's first real trick-or-treating experience.  As you can tell, he was quite impressed with the results.


What a haul



So that sums up Halloween Weekend 2011 for the Elser Family.  I still can't figure out where the month of October went.  Time sure flies these days.  But at least we're having fun!

And now...on to the next holiday!