A Pirates Life!

Wow is this post late... just realized I never hit PUBLISH, so rewriting a few sections and here we go............... 

This year's Halloween season was one to remember!  Drew was really in to it  - he wanted to be Jake the Pirate (from the Jake and the Neverland Pirates).  We ended up hosting little neighborhood get together on the driveway before trick-or-treating, so we decided to be a family of pirates!  

But before we get to all the fun Halloween tricks, I need to make sure to mention that it is now almost December and Drew is still talking about "the kickin'" (which was a lawn decoration down the street that had a blow up witch sticking out of a pot), the halloween costumer store is pointed out whenever we drive past it and he is still spooked out by spiders and anything that seems to be "scaaaaawy"!  He was such a riot with it this year!

Pic of him being in true pirate form -- defending me at the costume store! He was so serious.  He really thought the displays were real and didn't want them to "get me."

Also - I very quickly got sick of all the online custumes and store bought versions, and decided we would do a DIY version of Jake the Pirate... well, maybe not DIY - more like CALL GREAT GRANDMA BUTCHER!  She made a homemade vest for Drew and it was SO adorable.  He wore that with his "Jake boots"  (which also doubled as farm boots during our trip to Iowa).  He loved his little costume and wore it around with pride! 

We also had a few cute pre-halloween outfits for Miss Reese!  My Aunt Renea sent the cutest headband and orange tutu!  Here is the headband!. 

Here she is in the tutu!  This smile is just too much to handle!!

Mommy was a pirate and Reese was our little parrot!  

Me and JAKE!

Ronnie was a "mean" pirate!  He wanted to kill me for getting him an all black long sleeved custume when it was about 85 degrees out that night... but it was a major hit!

Here are some of our neighborhood friends.... we had Ninja Tutrles

And some white trash.  This one just cracks me up.  They are so funny!  And she just had her little baby... no sideffects from the NA beer and fake cigs :-) 

Ronnie liked to really stay in costume... what a mean pirate!

THE CREW!  These little kiddos have all gotten to know each other over the past few years and are all buds -- Drew was only 5 months old when we met everyone.

Such a nice little pirate he is! Ready to go!

And, we're off! 

What a great time we had!  Ron and Cathy were also at the party and got to enjoy the kids as well.  They stayed back and handed out candy while we went around the neighborhood with the group.  Reese was such a little trooper - I put her in the carrier and she joined the fun too :-)

Everyone had a blast and it was a Halloween to remember!