Happy Halloween

We've all had a busy Halloween week; poor Mary Grace has had to dress up in her costume on three separate occasions for three different parties. Molly and I decided to dress her up as a Biker Girl for her first Halloween because she always puts her hands out like she is holding onto motorcycle handle bars and makes engine noises with her mouth. Plus, she looks pretty bad-ass in her Harley gear, so we couldn't resist. Molly and I followed suit and dressed up as Bikers too, so we all went out to Curley's Harley Davidson in Lexington, NC last weekend to get some ideas for our costumes. By the time we left, I wanted so badly to sell the Jeep and just get a bike.

After going to Curley’s, Molly and I dressed up and went over to Trent and Megan Wall’s house for their annual Halloween party. We dressed Mary Grace up early so that we could take a family picture and show her off to family. All of our costumes worked out well, and Mary Grace looked adorable. The next night, we put her in her costume again for the Old Town Club Halloween Party, which is basically like a clean, small, safe fair with rides, games and the best fair food you could ever eat. Mary Grace was a hit, but everyone thought she was a little boy, so we eventually tied her skull-and-crossbones bandanna around her neck and just kept her pink bow in her hair. Janie took her most of the night, to Mary Grace’s delight, and everyone had a fantastic evening.

After a busy work week and some unseasonably cold days and nights, Halloween finally arrived. We dressed Mary Grace up for the last time so that we could go to a pre-Trick-or-Treat party in the neighborhood to which we will be moving, at least temporarily. Some of the neighbors learned that we were going to be moving onto the street, and asked us to come join their party so that we could meet everyone and get a feel for the area. It was a great time and everyone seemed really kind; I know we are going to love it. There were a ton of kids around, so it should be a great place for Mary Grace as well. It backs up to Reynolda Gardens and Wake Forest University, so we can cut through some woods and be among some of the best running trails in Winston-Salem.

After the party, we drove home and let Mary Grace hand out candy to the Trick-or-Treaters. She loved seeing all of the costumes, and never really got scared. I wonder if she will be as brave next year. We woke up the next morning and went out to Tanglewood Park here in Winston-Salem to watch the North Carolina XC State Championships for High School. There is nothing quite like High School Cross-Country, and Mary Grace loved every minute of it. Maybe she'll be a little Harrier herself one day.

Here are some pictures from the past week (click each picture to make it larger):


Mary Grace riding to school.


Taking an afternoon nap after a hard day of learning.


Visiting with Aunt Suzie.


Trying to escape a diaper change.


Little Red Riding Hood.


Swinging on a cold day.


She still LOVES to swing.


Hanging out with Janie in her Biker Girl costume.


The family Halloween picture.


Getting ready to go to the Wall's party.


She has little skull-and-crossbone shoes.


Molly's Harley vest.


Me and my little Biker Girl.


The patch on the back of Mary Grace's vest.


What a little tough girl.


With Janie at the Old Town Halloween party.


Family picture at the party.


Playing with her pumpkin. She calls it an 'unkin.


Handing out the candy.


Trying to eat the candy.


Watching the North Carolina XC State Championships.