Dear Lightning McQueen Pit Crew Member, and Raphael,
Tonight we went out for some "Trick Or Treating" and boy did we have some fun. We took the two of you out last year, but Jonathan you were only a few weeks old so you didn't get to go door to door too much. Benjamin you didn't know how to walk at the time so you had to be carried to each door... now here we are one year later and Benjamin you were doing your own door to door for the most part and now Jonathan was the one being carried.
Before we went out to do some "Trick Or Treating" around our neighborhood we all packed into the car and went over to Nana and Grandpa's house to get some candy from them. We surprised Nana and Grandpa as they weren't expecting to see us today. Nana was happy because not only were we there, but cousin Kali and cousin Jordyn were there as well and she had all of her wonderful grandchildren visiting her at the same time. Nana said it was one of the best Halloween's she's ever had because we all decided to pay her a visit tonight. We couldn't stay too long though because it was getting dark out and we had to make our way home so we could walk around our neighborhood getting some free candy. Before we went home we stopped at Dunkin Donuts to see Auntie Sara and get some hot chocolate.
Boys, there will be a lot of life lessons we teach you as you grow up and get older. One of them will be to never take candy from strangers, but tonight for some reason is the one exception to the rule. On Halloween it is acceptable to go from door to door asking for free candy, but any other day of the year it is not. So, on Halloween you need to get as much candy as you can!
Jonathan you had on multiple layers of clothes so you wouldn't be cold, but the problem was it probably added about twenty more pounds to you so when we carried you from door to door we needed to take a break after each time. We went out with Grandma and Uncle Scott joined us for a little while. He eventually had to go to the bathroom, and never came back! We brought the two of you out in your red wagon like we did last year when Cole had joined us. Jonathan you loved being brought around in the wagon, laughing as we made our way down the streets. The two of you took turns riding in the wagon and being held by Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma.
We got to see all the scary decorations people put up in their yards. We saw some people dressed up in scary outfits pretending to be decorations as well. Benjamin, none of this scared you though as you had your mind set on getting some candy. You would go from door to door holding Mommy or Daddy's hand and when we got to the door your would hold your Cars bucket out for candy. When we went across the street to Grandma's house, Pat was sitting on the porch holding her bowl of candy to give to the Trick or Treaters and you kept taking candy by candy out of the bowl and placing it into your bucket. By the time we came back around from hitting houses around the neighborhood Grandma's lights were off because they had ran out of candy. Daddy thinks it's because you took all of their candy Benjamin!
You both did very well tonight and it wasn't that cold out so we got lucky. It was snowing just a few days ago so we got lucky with our adventure tonight. When we came home Benjamin you went directly to your Toy Story couch and sat down to look through all of your candy. Jonathan soon joined you by the couch and tried to grab your candy away from you. Little Bully Brother still wants everything you have Benjamin and more! The two of you also spent some time with the Mickey Mouse Vampire we had in our window for Halloween. He will be going back into the basement soon until next year!
Next year Jonathan you will be walking as well so it's going to be a real challenge to keep up with the two of you, but it is something that Daddy is looking forward to. Daddy can't wait to experience all of these new things with the two of you all over again. Daddy went through all of this with Nana and Grandpa when he was growing up, and now he gets to see how great it is. Mommy and Daddy love you both very much and are very proud of the way you were tonight. October is over, but now we are looking forward to Thanksgiving, and Christmas! Santa Claus isn't that far behind! Happy Halloween boys!
Bring On The Dentist Bill,
Dad
Boys,
Tonight we went to the "Boo At The Zoo" at our local park's zoo. It was a fun night where the zoo was transformed with a Halloween theme. The two of you got to wear your Halloween costumes a day early to the zoo. Benjamin, you were a member of Lightning McQueen's Pit Crew, and Jonathan you were a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle...Raphael. We all packed into the car, and we took Auntie Sara with us. Once we got to the zoo there was a long line towards the street of people waiting to get in, but because we were members of this zoo we got to cut all the way in front of the line.
Once we were inside Daddy got two tickets for the train so that you could ride on it Benjamin. We all waited for the "choo choo" to come back around and once it did we rode on the front cart. The train took us all around the zoo so we could see what we would run into on our walk later on. We saw many Halloween decorations, and we saw some scary people walking around as well. Benjamin none of this even scared you though because you were just really excited to be riding on the "choo choo". As soon as we came back and got off the train we walked over to where a few of the other decorations were. There was one of a Haunted House that you could run through and come out on the other side. The ground was really wet and muddy though so you were only able to run through a few times Benjamin, with Auntie Sara not too far behind.
While we were looking at these decorations Grandpa showed up and Auntie Sara ran over to get him. When he came and joined our group we started to walk along the milk carton lit path so we could see more decorations and what else the Boo at the Zoo had to offer. We walked over to the barn where they were doing face painting and where the horses and the cattle were staying due to it being extremely cold outside. We went in and waited in line for the face painting, but Daddy had his doubts you would even let them paint your face Benjamin. Mainly because just yesterday we went to have your hair cut and you were very naughty the entire time, slapping the lady cutting your hair hands away and telling her "No", but we waited in line anyway. When it was our turn to get our face painted we had to settle on getting a spider painted on your hand because just as Daddy had feared you did not let them paint your face.
We had left the barn after this was over and ran into Auntie Cyndi and Cousin Kali. They had come together and Kali was just about to get her face painted when they saw all of us coming out of the barn. Auntie Cyndi took a few pictures of the two of you in your costumes before they went on their way. After we had left them we walked further along the path coming to a huge set where there were many people dressed up as scary characters just waiting to scare us, and we saw Michael Myers just standing still in the darkness. They didn't really just to scare any of us and just stood still as we passed. Daddy thought they would jump out, or walk behind us, or scream at us, but they just stood still where they were and let us pass without so much as a peep.
After this area was complete we came to a fence where a bunch of pumpkins were behind it. Jonathan you got to stretch your legs and stood against the fence with Mommy looking at the pumpkins while Benjamin wanted to keep walking. We spent a little bit of time looking at the pumpkins before walking along the path further and coming back to the entrance. We decided to go into the cafe to see if we could get anything to eat and while we did this we came to a room that had a huge Scooby Doo Halloween decoration that we took pictures in front of. We went into the cafe and ordered some food and after we were done eating we were joined by Uncle Steve and Auntie Sam!
We had left the cafe after and headed back outside. We decided to get tickets to go on the carousel, even though each time you went on it over the summer your cried your eyes out Benjamin. So, we got the tickets anyway and more tickets to ride the "Choo Choo" again, but this time when it was time to go on the Carousel you went on with Mommy! Benjamin, you didn't cry one bit as the Carousel spun in circles. Maybe you just wanted to go out with Mommy the entire time! Jonathan we all took turns holding you and every time someone walked by us they all thought you looked really cute in your Ninja Turtle costume, you were a good boy and didn't really remove your mask that much. After the Carousel ride was over we headed back over to the line for the train.
After waiting for the train to go around two more times Benjamin you went on with Grandpa. We all waited for the two of you to get back before deciding it was time to leave the Boo At The Zoo. We walked out of the Zoo and headed to the car, it was very cold and it was getting past the two of your bed times. We had to come home and get you guys in your pajamas and out of your Halloween costumes. It was a fun night and Daddy knows that tomorrow night will be just as fun as we go "Trick Or Treating" and get to show off your cute costumes once more. So we headed home and Jonathan you passed out on the car ride home. You had enough excitement for one night. Benjamin you stayed up a little while longer before heading to your crib yourself. Daddy is just hoping that tomorrow night you'll both be just as good!
Love Always,
Dad
P.S. - The reason Daddy's face is so tan in these pictures is because of a Halloween Costume Daddy had the night before!
Boys,
After our trip to the Pumpkin patch and when we didn't get a pumpkin, Daddy went to the Supermarket and was able to get a decent sized pumpkin so we could carve ourselves a nice picture. When Daddy was a kid it was just the standard triangle eyes and jagged mouth, so carving a character into a pumpkin this year would also be Daddy's first time as well! So, Daddy got the best looking pumpkin, and if Mommy and Daddy got the pumpkin at the Pumpkin patch we would have had to pay three times the amount, so not that bad of a deal! When it was time to sit down at the kitchen table to carve this pumpkin Jonathan you sat down in your high chair, and Benjamin you took a seat right by Daddy in your booster seat.
Daddy thought this was going to be easy. Carve Mickey Mouse into a pumpkin? No problem! Well, it turns out it really is a problem and takes a lot of time, especially when the tools you purchase for this exact reason break and don't function as well as they should. Not to mention the pumpkin Daddy picked out was extremely thick! So, after we took out all the seeds from inside and really hollowed it out we were ready to start Mickey Mouse's face. Daddy first attempted to draw Mickey Mouse onto the pumpkin thinking this would be the best course of action so we could get the little saw right into it and start cutting away. Turns out Daddy doesn't draw as well as he thought he did, but we could blame that on trying to draw on a pumpkin and not a smooth surface! So, Daddy taped the picture of Mickey to the pumpkin and poked little holes in the paper around the lines of Mickey Mouse's face, that way once the paper was removed we could just cut along the dots!
Jonathan you were getting very tired and you did not want to stay in your high chair anymore... even with all the toys and books we gave you to keep your attention. So eventually Mommy came and brought you to your crib so you could drink your bottle and go to sleep. Benjamin you stayed with Daddy at the table and got a little impatient as well, but you stuck with Daddy until the end! After Daddy broke almost every tool that was in the kit we bought Daddy finished carving Mickey Mouse with a tiny knife from the sink. This activity that Daddy thought would only take about an hour ended up lasting for two whole hours! But, once it was done we had our Mickey Mouse! We put a small candle in it and lit it so we could see what it looked like in the dark. Even though this was extremely frustrating at times we did finally carve our first pumpkin. Hopefully the first of many, but maybe next year we will carve something more simple... maybe triangle eyes and a jagged mouth?
All Pumpkin'd Out,
Dad
Boys,
This past weekend we took a trip to a Farm so we could pick out a pumpkin for Halloween. Auntie Sara joined us, and when we got there we met up with Uncle Brian, Auntie Amanda, and Cole! Before we made our way to the farm though we stopped at Toys R Us because they were having a special Chuggington Day where you, Benjamin, got to play with all the Interactive Chuggington Trains you already have at home as well as get a cool sticker. We picked up the newest Chuggington DVD for the both of you with the coupon they were handing out and we played for a little while. Afterwards we went to Burger King for some lunch before heading to the Farm.
When we got to the Farm we waited a little while for Auntie Amanda and Uncle Brian to show up, and as we waited we got to see all the other people who came dressed up as characters from Harry Potter. The Farm was having a special deal that if you dressed up as a character from Harry Potter you got a dollar off. Daddy did not remember this because he could have easily drawn a lightning bolt on of your foreheads and put some glasses on you guys. The two of you got in for free anyway because you're under the age limit for paying tickets.
When Auntie Amanda, Uncle Brian, and Cole showed up we all got our tickets and went straight into the Corn Maze. We walked around for a while going in circles and going at a slow pace. Benjamin, you wanted to pick up every rock you came across and show it to Mommy and Daddy while saying the word "rock". For a little while we were led through the Corn Maze by Cole! We came across a wooden bridge that did not seem that stable as we tried to make our way through to the other side. After awhile we kept coming back to this bridge and now it became apparent we were just walking in circles.
Uncle Brian had purchased a map for the maze and while we stopped to take a family photo he was able to find his way out of the maze. We ended up making our way out the way we came in instead of going through the length of the maze. The two of you were getting frustrated inside of the maze and instead of going deeper into it to the point where we would have to call 911 to help us out (that's not entirely true, but when you are old enough to read this you won't get what Daddy is referring to.) we decided to just trace our footsteps backwards and go out the way we came in.
Somehow while in the Maze, Daddy managed to lose the tickets to the Hay Ride and had to purchase two more. While we waited for the Tractor to come back around for the hay ride Auntie Sara got herself a candy apple and a soda. She really enjoyed the candy apple so much and Daddy was able to capture the magic behind it. Sometimes boys it really is the little things in life that make it worth living. The tractor arrived and we all got on board. It was a very bumpy ride, but along the way we saw some cows, some baby cows, a cat, more cows, grass, more grass, cut down trees, more cows, and more grass! We were able to see the pumpkin patch before the hay ride was over and it didn't seem like there were many good pumpkin's left over.
We left the Hay Ride and made our way over to the Pumpkin Patch. There wasn't that many good pumpkin's left over as we had feared due to the Hay Ride, but we were able to explore and at least check to see if there was some we could have brought home with us. After looking through dozens of pumpkin's we decided we would head back and try to find a pumpkin at a grocery store. Daddy ended up purchasing a big pumpkin tonight for less than half the price of the ones at the Farm. We headed on home after leaving the Farm where the two of you went down for your naps. There is another Pumpkin Patch alot closer to home that we will have to go to next year, but maybe we can go to the Corn Maze again someday when you, Jonathan, won't have to be held the entire time.
Love Always,
Dad
Dear Lightning McQueen Pit Crew Member, and Raphael, 
Tonight we went out for some "Trick Or Treating" and boy did we have some fun. We took the two of you out last year, but Jonathan you were only a few weeks old so you didn't get to go door to door too much. Benjamin you didn't know how to walk at the time so you had to be carried to each door... now here we are one year later and Benjamin you were doing your own door to door for the most part and now Jonathan was the one being carried.
Before we went out to do some "Trick Or Treating" around our neighborhood we all packed into the car and went over to Nana and Grandpa's house to get some candy from them. We surprised Nana and Grandpa as they weren't expecting to see us today. Nana was happy because not only were we there, but cousin Kali and cousin Jordyn were there as well and she had all of her wonderful grandchildren visiting her at the same time. Nana said it was one of the best Halloween's she's ever had because we all decided to pay her a visit tonight. We couldn't stay too long though because it was getting dark out and we had to make our way home so we could walk around our neighborhood getting some free candy. Before we went home we stopped at Dunkin Donuts to see Auntie Sara and get some hot chocolate. 
Boys, there will be a lot of life lessons we teach you as you grow up and get older. One of them will be to never take candy from strangers, but tonight for some reason is the one exception to the rule. On Halloween it is acceptable to go from door to door asking for free candy, but any other day of the year it is not. So, on Halloween you need to get as much candy as you can! 
Jonathan you had on multiple layers of clothes so you wouldn't be cold, but the problem was it probably added about twenty more pounds to you so when we carried you from door to door we needed to take a break after each time. We went out with Grandma and Uncle Scott joined us for a little while. He eventually had to go to the bathroom, and never came back! We brought the two of you out in your red wagon like we did last year when Cole had joined us. Jonathan you loved being brought around in the wagon, laughing as we made our way down the streets. The two of you took turns riding in the wagon and being held by Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma. 
We got to see all the scary decorations people put up in their yards. We saw some people dressed up in scary outfits pretending to be decorations as well. Benjamin, none of this scared you though as you had your mind set on getting some candy. You would go from door to door holding Mommy or Daddy's hand and when we got to the door your would hold your Cars bucket out for candy. When we went across the street to Grandma's house, Pat was sitting on the porch holding her bowl of candy to give to the Trick or Treaters and you kept taking candy by candy out of the bowl and placing it into your bucket. By the time we came back around from hitting houses around the neighborhood Grandma's lights were off because they had ran out of candy. Daddy thinks it's because you took all of their candy Benjamin! 
You both did very well tonight and it wasn't that cold out so we got lucky. It was snowing just a few days ago so we got lucky with our adventure tonight. When we came home Benjamin you went directly to your Toy Story couch and sat down to look through all of your candy. Jonathan soon joined you by the couch and tried to grab your candy away from you. Little Bully Brother still wants everything you have Benjamin and more! The two of you also spent some time with the Mickey Mouse Vampire we had in our window for Halloween. He will be going back into the basement soon until next year! 
Next year Jonathan you will be walking as well so it's going to be a real challenge to keep up with the two of you, but it is something that Daddy is looking forward to. Daddy can't wait to experience all of these new things with the two of you all over again. Daddy went through all of this with Nana and Grandpa when he was growing up, and now he gets to see how great it is. Mommy and Daddy love you both very much and are very proud of the way you were tonight. October is over, but now we are looking forward to Thanksgiving, and Christmas! Santa Claus isn't that far behind! Happy Halloween boys!
