My Sugar House Life: All Hallows Eve

I can't believe it's only been two weeks since my last post, you guys. I feel like I've been gone for an eternity. My last post talked about my amazing road trip with my family but my gypsy travels have continued for two more weeks since then so I apologize for the radio silence.

Before we move on to turkeys, squash, and pumpkin spice lattes I can't forget to recap Halloween, which is the bee's knees here on Wilson Avenue. We celebrated Halloween three times this year: a Trunk or Treat at the local ward, a Halloween parade and party in Aidan's class, and actual Halloween on our street. As a person who is already listening to Christmas music in my car, I'm a fan of dragging out the holiday season. But this can be problematic with Halloween because there is a competing value to keep Aidan's costume accounted for and in one piece for the actual Halloween night. I can't tell you how many times we almost lost Aidan's "Minecraft Steve" head before Halloween trick or treating.

One Sugar House tradition is the ward Trunk or Treat. For my non-member brethren, a ward is the local church for LDS members. Parishioners don't get to pick their ward. Wards have boundaries like school districts, and where you live is the sole deciding factor for what church you attend.

I think this is brilliant because every celebration at the ward is essentially a community party. And because everyone gives 10% of their income to the Church (capital C in Utah), the parties are pretty epic. Taco trucks, pancake breakfasts, dance parties. Wards are the center of community social life in Utah. Because we are party people and love our neighborhood, I keep finding myself at ward parties. So I go and often feel like a total interloper. BUT I CAN'T STOP BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH FUN.

I bring this up because this particular ward Trunk or Treat was thrown by my good friend and neighbor, Natalie. Natalie lives one block over and has a son that was in Aidan's class last year. Natalie solicited my help to plan the Trunk or Treat, do the Costco run, and set up for the party. I was thrilled because I could finally be of assistance instead of just showing up, eating their food, and going on my merry way.

So back to Halloween. After the Trunk or Treat, Aidan had his school parade and party at school. I volunteered to read stories to the kids for a couple hours as they rotated through in small groups. I love how proud Aidan is to claim me as his mom. I always get greeted with a huge wave and then Aidan will whisper to anyone in earshot, "that's my mom, that's my mom," reminding me that I really should volunteer in his classroom more often.

Aidan's class party

Halloween night we went to a party at my friend Jeanne's house with what seems like a bazillion kids, lots of chili, and beer and wine. I was told later there was an LDS party on the street as well and I pictured Trick or Treaters being directed to the appropriate party via clipboard. Coffee and wine to the left, Diet Coke and sherbet punch to the right.

Superhero twins

The best part of Halloween was having the gang back together. Lenore & Co. moved back Halloween week and when Christine, Lenore, and I met up to take the kids trick-or-treating, it felt like all was right in the world. Wilson Avenue continued it's Halloween domination with hot cider and donuts passed out at one house, a haunted house, a front lawn showing of Ghostbusters, a fire pit driveway party, and two bona fide Halloween parties to choose from. Robert passed out candy in his Kangaroo outfit, Christine and I went as Supergirl twins, and Aidan rocked his Minecraft Steve outfit. I'm so happy our second annual Utah Halloween lived up to the first.

More pictures...