The Great Hallowe'en Extravaganza of 2015!

Somewhere around 14 years ago, Bruce and Cade started going on special Father/Son hunting trips to Eastern Montana. They ALWAYS went over Fall break (which ALWAYS encompassed Cade's birthday weekend- so I would have to buy and wrap some small gift, some candies, a special dessert, and birthday candles and implore Bruce not to forget to make a fuss on Cade's actual birthday day- but that's another story) and they were ALWAYS  gone at least 3-4 days and it was ALWAYS just about 2 wks. before Hallowe'en. 

(2006- Cade is barely 17)

This was, also, the same time that Cass had gone off to Gonzaga to college, and so, Chelsey and I found ourselves alone for the weekend. We would decorate the house for Hallowe'en, and then, rent a scary Hallowe'en movie to watch while eating a Town Pump pizza- illuminated only by our Hallowe'en lights! One time, I remember getting so spooked, we didn't leave each others side until the next morning! LOL!

 (2006- Hwy 200 house)

 It was such a success, we looked forward to doing it, year after year. We added a few new traditions, as time went by. Chelsey would pick out a favorite dessert- usually cheesecake bars, or later, when those were nowhere to be found, she would get banana Zingers. Somewhere along the line, we added putting together a Halloween puzzle, and doing some crafts.

When she left for college, she was close enough to home, that we were able to continue our tradition! Even upon graduation, Chelsey served with the Americorps in Spokane, and she popped home for our annual get together.

It was when she left for medical school in Birmingham, AL that I thought I would die. I was so sad- the closer it got to Hallowe'en, the more nostalgic I became... and then, Chelsey came up with a wonderful idea! We rented identical movies, made pizza, sat on the couch at the same time (1400 miles apart) counted to 3, and pushed the play button on our DVD's, while we chatted on our phones to each other! And the tradition continued!  And one year, Chelsey actually bought herself a plane ticket, and flew home so we could be together for our weekend! It was THAT important.

 (2009)

Fast forward to 2015. Chelsey is a Pediatric Neuro-Psychologist in Oncology and Cardiology at Seattle Children's Hospital. She worked a full day at the hospital last Thurs., jumped into her car, and made the 7 hr. drive home. She didn't come in until 2 am. Friday morning!!! But from that time on, we never wasted a minute!!!

 We started out by taking advantage of a lovely day, and doing our Fall traditional picnic at the Power Park in Thompson Falls.

This is a GORGEOUS little park set by the river. We've been coming here for our Fall picnics ever since we moved to TF 29 yrs. ago! And I don't really think it's changed in all that time!

It's always crisp and cold, and we're, generally, the only people in the park.

Of course, Kaya came, too. ;)

After eating, we walked the loop trail- ablaze with color! So much beauty!

 

 There are a few places where I've taken a photo of the kids EVERY time they come to the park... this year was no exception.

At home, we started working on our craft projects.
The first was making cheesecloth ghosts!

For having NO clue what we were doing, I think they turned out pretty well!

(Chelsey's ghost)

Another craft was leaf lanterns

Hard to tell in this photo, but they are really pretty! especially when lit up!

At some point, over the weekend, we did our nails for Hallowe'en!

Chelsey put on spiders!

Mine are a graveyard!

We worked on a GREAT Hallowe'en puzzle, and finished it on Sunday morning!
And of course, we watched scary movies, and ate homemade pizza and cheesy bread!

Sunday morning, we visited Bruce at the check station

before saying good-bye to Chelsey

Another Hallowe'en extravaganza over-
another memory made and cherished.
Traditions tend to be VERY important in our family...
and this is why.