Days with the Dorans

I was SO proud of our costumes this year, mostly because I made them myself and they weren't expensive. I used foam board (which is just thicker poster board) that I got from the dollar store, paint and duct tape. We got a lot of compliments on our costumes. A friend asked if she could buy our costumes and I also made a video HERE on how to make them since they were so easy.  I think that everyone thought the costumes were cute, but when the kids turned around and they saw the back of their ghosts, that made it even cuter. I painted the eyes and mouths with glow-in-the-dark paint which was a fun little touch. In keeping with tradition, Al and her twin went treating together. We all start out together heading down to Great-Nan's and then we seem to split. Scott went with the girls, Jeff and Papa took Seany home, Joe and Trev went out and I stuck with the Goose. Sadly, my Nan is not doing so well. She doesn't really know who we are and can't see or hear to...

We gutted and carved our pumpkins on the 30th. I still am in love with my little drill thing that makes pumpkin gutting a snap! The kids had them gutted and were off to carving in no time. The bad mom that I am I didn't take a single picture of their carved pumpkins (SOB!!).  I guess I was lost in the moment which isn't a bad place to be.  Separating the seeds from the guts is not as easy because of that tool. The pumpkin flesh is pretty ripped up which makes it small like the seeds. I spend a long time separated the seeds from the guts but finally got a system down of soaking the seeds where they floated to the top and the guts were a bit lower. Time consuming but I feel like the seeds were better than ever this year! We may have to get more pumpkins next year because everyone ate them up!

Our costumes for this year are a bit big and not really easy for parties. The Bigs came up with their own costumes for school. Joe didn't like any of the ideas Al and I threw out for him so he was "Joe Cool" while Al got creative and was a "Social Butterfly" complete with fake flower antennae. What I love about these costumes is they were FREE! The Littles (I didn't get a picture of them) chose old costumes and put their little spin on them too. They both said their parties were a blast. For my school costume, I joined my team and we were "Pigs in Blankets" and yes... that's the new blanket we just made. It was a cute costume and very practical since on Halloween we had a half day and were in meetings in the afternoon. It's all about comfort (and it, too, was FREE). My friend, Dawn, printed off the pig heads for us and did the tails too. For Angie and Ty's party, I used an extra foam board, covered it in dollar st...

One of my favorite traditions (even better than the neighborhood "boo") is when the doorbell rings and that brown box package is outside of our door! Grandma always sends sweet packages around the holidays and I love seeing the four gather around the box to see what surprises are inside! She is such a blessing and I can't wait to continue this tradition (one day) for MY Doran grandkids! 

It was a cold weekend but the sun was out and it was getting late in the month so we decided to brave the cold and head to the pumpkin patch! We talked my mom into coming with us (tradition is tradition). As crowded as it was, it didn't feel that way. We went on a hayride out to the patch and the kids were off to pick their perfect pumpkin. After the patch,  I took the pumpkins to the car and the rest of the crew got donuts and cider (don't worry... I joined them later).  After that we let the Littles play (a little) on the kid stuff but it was so cold we didn't stay long. I don't think Sean minded... (too much). ;-)

Being that we're a soccer family and it gets COLD, Al and I decided it was time to make some new blankets for us. We hit JoAnn's for Halloween costume stuff but because fleece was 50% off and then I had a 20% off coupon, we decided to get some. We got some soccer patterned fleece and some black fleece and made two tie blankets. They were SO easy and have been SO warm. My blanket helpers did a great job and so did their four-legged helper!

I think this was the first time every I went to the Walk to Remember by myself. It was great! I love having my kids (and of course my mom) with me but without the kids made it pretty easy. I was able to say hello to new and old friends and send off balloons for my babies. Thankfully I was able to squeeze this in between soccer games. This is a priority for me though. There are only two events that are 100% Andrew's (and E's) and this is one. We got the cutest little bird houses too. One for the Mother Tree and one we could take home. This was perfect as I love birds (I always watch the birds on the wire when I'm at stoplights).  I wanted to get a tattoo for my 40th with four birds on a branch in a tree with two flying away but the person I asked to draw it had a bit too much on her plate I think. I still want one... who knows, maybe 2017 will be my year!

I was wasting time on FB when I saw that The Verve Pipe was coming to the Ark (one of our favorite places to take in a concert). I mentioned it to Danny and the four of us decided to go. We went to the Jolly Pumpkin and had a couple drinks and then crossed the street to the concert. There weren't reserved seats so by the time we got there it was pretty full. The Ark is small and there really isn't a bad seat but  we wanted to sit together. We actually found seats together right by the front of the stage. We were on the side but so close that I could read the set list which was pretty cool. They were recording a live album during the show too which was cool. We had a great time! Reminded me of my WMU days!

So much fun to Boo! It's always exciting when your doorbell rings and you find something sweet on your porch! We hung the familiar Boo ghost in the window, picked up some extra treats and went out to pay it forward! I always laugh when it's time to go. They wear the most funny disguises! We went walking down the road but one of the houses we were going to boo had its kids looking out the door at us. So we continued on and booed another family we know.  On the way back, we again saw the kids looking out their window so Z and Sean decided they wanted to boo Carson. I decided to drive there and Jeff suggested we put two drinks in there for Ang and Ty. It was getting late and I was worried the kids may be sleeping but Z ran up to the door, rang the doorbell and we went running to hide behind Ty Jr's truck. Ty came out and he was mad. He tripped over the bag and we heard a bottle break. DOH! I forgot sometimes teenagers ring doorbells for not nice reasons! Thankfully we go...

I LOVE WATCHING THE SHARKNADOS! They had such a great season and were the champs! Ali scored every game (except the game that was scoreless). She makes things look so easy. I can't wait until next season. She was lucky again to have the most amazing coaches who schedule things so that she can be both a dancer and a jock for which I am SO thankful! This year they played 11v11 on the BIG field. They made the transition look easy. Way to go, Sharks!

After last year's season (and not so great coach) I was worried Z wouldn't want to lace up those cleats again, but he did. What a difference a good coach can make! Z's team did really well and we saw improvements each and every game! They had a winning season and Z played better than we've ever seen. He's actually playing for a farm team for the team he was on last year but they played better, had more fun and bonus- we paid less money. Loved watching the Goose! So proud of him!!

 Sean had a GREAT soccer season! All the kids on his team really improved. I'm going to say that's because they had amazing coaches (Jeff and Kyle). Sean was his typical self~ he got some goals, had some good plays but then we'd find him pumping his fists and dancing around~ head in the clouds. Lots of laughs again this season but I wouldn't have it any other way! Great season, Blue Dragons!  Jeff swore off coaching after this season but then randomly last night (I'm writing this in November playing "catch-up"), Sean started talking about how awesome his coach was and how much he loved playing soccer because he had the best coach ever. Jeff and I looked at each other and I asked Seany, "Who was your coach?" And he said, "You know. Coach Jeff. My dad." It brought a big smile to dad's face. I have a feeling Coach Jeff MAY be back... To be continued...