Halloween 2008 (aka Mea Culpa)

Alright, alright, People! I fully realize that it is DECEMBER and I am just now posting my Halloween pics. As I have been reminded by several of you, "Blogs Don't Update Themselves". Your voices have been heard and you are going to get multiple postings in the next few days, so hang onto your hats, folks..... Let the blogging begin!
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Halloween was very fun this year, and Nana and Poppa Umpy came to visit from Wisconsin (or Woodondin, as Lauren pronounces it. And, Aunt Sarah flew in from Brooklyn to make our family visit extra special. In the week leading up to Halloween, they sprinkled magic pumpkin dust in the yard at Lauren's school.

Magically, the next day there was a whole pumpkin patch of toddler-sized pumpkins for the kids to take home and enjoy. Lauren loved her so much she carried it EVERYWHERE with her. I swear she would have slept with it, had it been allowed. Todd finally cut the handle off on it, for fear she was going to poke someone's eye out!

Halloween Parade at Primrose School

Lauren's school had a parade, so we brought her over there so she wouldn't miss out on the fun. She ended up melting down and being too tired for trick or treating, so probably best that we got her in the costume for some photos in the morning! It was interesting to see her in her element at school...she's very laid back and really just observes everyone around her. I think my parents and sister really liked seeing where she spends her days.

My sweet bunny! As I mentioned in an earlier post (can you remember back that far? No? Well SCROLL DOWN and read about!), this was MY blue bunny with the pink ears costume that Nana found in the attic and cleaned up for Lauren. All it needed was a new bow (an in retrospect, more wires in the ears! Just call her lop-eared!).

Lauren and Aunt Sarah taking a break from all the Halloween fuss to check out the PBS.org website. Did ya know that Elmo is on there? AND he talks?! Lauren was amazed. They also checked out video of Lauren on You Tube. She was pretty tickled by that.

Our Friendly, Neighborhood Pumpkin Patch


Lauren checks out a concaved one that makes a perfect seat for a 21 month old!

Always rooting for the underdog, Aunt Sarah extolls the virtues of said pumpkin to her niece, hoping that Lauren will take the bait and pick this sad, lopsided pumpkin to take home with her. No such luck (though Sarah did end up convincing Nana and Poppa that they ought to buy the one that looks like the freak from Goonies-- Sloth, I think?!). So a freakish pumpkin did find refuge at the Marschke's, after all!

Lauren enjoys the haybale with her Poppa Umpy and Nana. After MANY tries, we couldn't get her to look at the camera so I picked the one where the grandparents looked the best to post. You can thank me with a nice full stocking at Christmas, folks!

Pumpkin Carving 101


Poppa Umpy takes charge with Lauren on getting the pumpkin going. Lauren quickly catches on and dives right in! No mess is too much for this tom boy! In fact, when they gutted a pumpkin at school earlier in the week they said all the girls were squeamish....except our Lauren. She dug right in with the boy! You go Girl!

Todd designed the scary face and handled that part of the carving process. Here is the finished product. Are ya skeered???

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween....6 weeks ago. Ahem!