Halloween Roundup

Halloween is no longer a one night holiday, it's apparently a 2-week-long celebration! The boys Halloween'd every chance they got this year, and as a family, we definitely made the most of our favorite fall festivities.

The UM Township Trunk or Treat party:

Joergen's preschool party:

Joergen's preschool class trip to pick pumpkins at Freddy Hill Farms:

Villanova's Halloween party:

Liam's school party and parade:

Getting ready for Halloween by carving up our pumpkin:

It's a team effort... but sometimes you just gotta rest up on the sidelines!

Joergen showing off our little pumpkin patch... and our support for the Teal Pumpkin Project:

And of course, the main event-- trick-or-treating on Halloween night. We were so happy to have Grandma and Papa visiting for Halloween!  For all the build-up prior to the actual Halloween night, though, believe it or not, Liam didn't even go trick-or-treating this year.  Notre Dame played Temple in Philadelphia on Halloween night, and Liam chose to go to the game instead.  He actually didn't even hesitate to make that decision (kind of can't blame him, given how much celebrating we'd already done...!).  So Dad, Papa, and Liam headed to the game, while Grandma, Joergen, and I headed out on the town.

Joergen and his best bud Will

Joergen showing Theresa just what he thinks of her sweatshirt :)

Uncle Sam and Aunt Doreen with their little ninja

Joergen showing off his costume

So fun celebrating with Grandma!

Meanwhile, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly... 

Papa and Liam tailgating on Halloween night!

This guy is ready for some football!

In the stadium, waiting for kickoff

Awesome seats and a really close game! (Thankfully, an Irish victory!)

Papa, Daddy, and Liam enjoying the game with what we later understood to be Liam's 437th piece of candy...

After a really exciting night, a lot of fun, and did I mention a lot of candy?, the big guys got home after midnight and crashed.  The next morning, Liam did what many a Derry before him has done after an ND football game... and to keep it classy, let's just say that it was quite some time before this little Irish fan could stomach any more Halloween candy. I have a feeling he may never eat a Twizzler again!

Goodbye Egg Allergy! And a Sunday Visit with GG

Liam has been doing great since passing his baked egg challenge, so after a negative skin test for raw egg here a year later, his allergist gave him the green light to challenge scrambled egg.  He was apprehensive - mostly because he was sure he'd hate scrambled eggs - but excited for the possibility of  having outgrown his first major allergy.  Nana came to spend the afternoon with him at the allergist's office while he underwent the challenge, and hours later sent us the good news-- he passed!!  (And, he didn't hate the eggs!)

That Saturday morning, we decided to celebrate by taking Liam out to Michael's for his first restaurant breakfast since his diagnosis at 3 years old.  He could not wait to try a *real* waffle!

The verdict?  Thumbs up!

So excited for Liam and this big step forward in his allergy journey!

Joergen's name was drawn at preschool as next to make a poster all about himself to share with his class.  One of the questions was "Do you have pets?" and this was Joergen's answer:

Catty, Douglas, Spots, Hearts, Tiny, and Tricks

He loves his dog family!  Joergen also had a birthday party that afternoon for a classmate at Get Air.  He's starting to outgrow his afternoon naps, but every now and then, he will still take a little rest... and just couldn't resist the cushy comfort of the foam pit :)

Saturday night was a bit of a conflict-- both the Irish and the Cubs had big games.  How could we choose which to watch? Leave it to Dad to resolve that conflict!

On Sunday, we went to York to spend the day with GG.  Liam brought some of his favorite books to share.  He had so much fun reading to GG and laughing together at Elephant and Piggie's antics!

Back and Nana and Grandpa's house that evening, the boys enjoyed one of their favorite things in the world: one of Grandpa's "special drinks".

A pretty great weekend all around!

Pumpkin Picking... and Uncle Andy's 40!

While Dad was in Las Vegas celebrating Uncle Andy's big 4-0...

... the rest of us spent some time with our Jersey faves in a pumpkin patch!  We had so much fun at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm and can't thank the NJ G'willies enough for a great day.

Off we go!

Three little men ready for pumpkins (and some football! Fall Saturdays are the BEST!)

Liam, Genevieve, Uncle Tim, Colin, Aunt Jackie, and Joergen on the hayride to the pumpkin patch

"Check out those punkins!"

The farm had a pretty cool corn maze that was set up like a scavenger hunt.  The kids got a map to follow, and punched their cards at each checkpoint.

Each checkpoint had a silly photo op, and we all had so much fun taking pictures and laughing at the funny results!

C'mon guys!  I think I see the next checkpoint!

Just over this bridge!

Found it!

After conquering the corn maze, it was time to pick our perfect pumpkins.

Meanwhile, Genevieve made some important phone calls from the pumpkin patch :)

Back at Uncle Tim and Aunt Jackie's house, we watched some football... and put out some fires:

And of course, got some quality time with Lilly.  This boy loves his canine cousin!

Jungle Wonder

Thanks to a pretty sweet Groupon, we had a really fun afternoon with our neighbors at Jungle Wonder in Royersford. We didn't even know the place existed prior to this, but are glad to now be in the know. Glow-in-the-dark mini golf, an indoor climbing/bouncing gym, and a balladium (plus laser tag, which we'll save for another day)-- what more could we ask for?

Liam hanging with a new friend while waiting for mini golf

Joergen and Will in a firefight in the balladium

Can you spot Liam, Dad, and Mr. Harris?!