The one with the Elephant & the Pumpkin

It was the last week before we slipped into the start of winter, it was also my last week of maternity leave. Next week, I go back to work full time and attempt to keep a hold on life. Ask me in a month how I make a go of it. The best part about this past week was Halloween! It was Grady's first, Eleanor's second. It was an great day. Grady came to work with me as a little pumpkin. Eleanor went to daycare and had a party there so we had an outfit that she'd survive all day in.... she went as Pebbles! That afternoon, Matt picked her up, we got her changed and we all went trick or treating! We started at my work as they have offices open for trick-or-treaters. We had a little trouble starting out... too many people and too many kids lead to being shy and then she kept wanting to give her candy to other people but we finally got the hang of it as we finished up.

 Last year I learned my lesson to not get too aggressive with the trick-or-treating schedule. So after Commerce, we headed over to my Grandma Dar and popped in on her. Eleanor thought she should take all of Grandma's candy (and her pumpkin), obviously we were a fast learner after getting the bugs out at Commerce. From there we went out to the farm, to Aunt Alaina's, and finished up at Uncle Eric's. I think we surprised him and Amanda as they weren't home right away and they felt bad for not having any candy, which was okay as we captured most of the sugary stuff from her and left her with the goldfish crackers, pretzels, and animal crackers. 

We came back home after grabbing some McDonalds and attempted to take costume pics on the stairs again.

We've had more successful endeavors.

The remainder of the week was pretty quiet, especially with the oncoming of our first snow.

Best meal: French Onion pasta... we've made it before but I always think how good it is for being so simple.

MJR putting Grady into carrier for the second or third time: I know, buddy, I'm not a fan of the holiday either.
ALR: oh hush you. This is going to be fun. You don't need to wear your costume so literally.
MJR: I'm going as an airport manager. 
ALR: Yeah, I know, that's what I told the girls at work, you were going as a crabby airport manager.
MJR: Har har.