10.31.06: from preemies to primates

I think this may be the last year we get to choose costumes for the boys, and these two cute creations were just too hard to pass up.

There was no question which costume was most appropriate for each boy ... Avery the monkey, Mason the gorilla. I didn't have much success getting a good photo of both boys together in my first attempt, but I decided it was good enough not to try for a better one. I was able to capture at least one good individual shot of them in costume and was satisfied with that.

Mason and Avery enjoyed wearing their costumes much more so than last year. We actually kept them dressed up for Halloween night and since it was such comfortable weather, we sat outside with them to hand out treats to the neighborhood kids. Jenni also joined us for this spooky night. Mason and Avery really seemed to enjoy seeing all the little kids, despite my worry that they might get a little overwhelmed by some of the costumes.

Because they were doing so well, we decided to visit a few of our great neighbors to experience trick-or-treating for the first time. Not only was this Mason and Avery's first time, but Mary's too!! Seriously! She actually starting crying at the first house we visited.

By the time we reached the 4th and final house, Avery had completely passed out on Mary's shoulder and was done for the night. Avery had chosen an almond joy candy bar out of one of the neighbors buckets and hung on to it. We had forgotten about it until putting him down for bed and finding it still clenched in his tiny hand (obviously melted at this point).

Mason made it through the night's excitement with no problem, but was more than ready for bed once we changed him out of costume.

Dodger and Smudge didn't get left out

of the fun!

Thanks to Jenni for another incredible

Jack-o-Lantern!