The Simonson's: Happy Halloween Wreck It Ralph Style

We did it. We had a successful Halloween with all three kids wearing and enjoying their costumes and Halloween. We did have a couple melt downs before we left the house and one mommy that didn't know if we would ever make it through the night but after all was said and done we had a great evening and a very tired family.

Let's go back over the last couple week. The week leading up to vacation is always hectic, not only did I have bags to pack I also had to go shopping and have the house ready for Sandi and the kids to come back to and stay in for 4 days. Let's just say that there was times that I was not sure the vacation was going to be happening but everything fell into place and everyone had a great time.

The kids stayed at mom and dad's Friday through Sunday, then after church Sandi brought them home and managed to get Rachel to and from school on time and had the house clean when we got home on Wednesday. Mike and I flew out to San Fran on Saturday, we got in around noon that time so we unpacked and headed out on the town. We decided to take in the city and walk down to the Fisherman Warf. We stopped for lunch and drinks along the way and then grabbed a few snack at a bar and managed to find a dive bar to watch the world series game at. Neither Mike nor I really care much about baseball but with Kansas City playing San Francisco it was kind of hard not to be interested. Sunday we got up and after a workout and breakfast we took the metro to the beach and then managed to walk 14 miles exploring and getting back to our hotel. We Facetimed with the girls while at the ocean and then walked closer to Golden Gate bridge. After some street walking we finally found a bus to take us to Height and Ashbury street. We even got to walk by the hospital Mike did a rotation at and ate lunch at one of the restaurants he remembers from his trip.Sunday night Mike was inducted as a fellow into the American College of Surgeons. We got to meet up with one of his classmates from College and Mike even got to see a couple of colleges he worked with in Missouri while he was at his conference. Monday I just relaxed while Mike attended some classes then we went shopping and had supper at an amazing French restaurant. Tuesday Mike again attended a couple classes then we meet up with his friend from Med School and went and toured Alcatraz before dining at an another amazing Italian restaurant and just hanging out with friends. Wednesday we got up and headed to the airport, after a plane delay we finally made it back to Denver and drove home without any troubles. The girls were waiting up for us but Alec just could not make it. He was so surprised to see me the next morning he even reached up and touched my face when I picked him up out of bed.

The kids had a great time while we were away. Rachel got to ride in the combine and grain cart. She thought that riding in the combine was the best. Becca was excited because she got to put on her pajamas and then go ride in Grandpa Bill's pickup and look for deer and calves.Alec worked hard on walking and has been a master since we have been back. While Sandi was here the girls got to sleep in our bed with Sandi and Mazie, they got to go into Jimmy John's and get ice cream. Alec learned how to open the child proof locks under the kitchen sink! Sandi needed to get back home so she could get some rest before going to work so Wednesday after school the kids went and played at neighbor Dee's house. They had a lot of fun playing with Dee's grand kids and then Dee brought them home and had them ready for bed when we got home.

Thursday I jumped right back into mommy world while Mike headed back to work. After taking Rachel to school we came home and gave the little ones a bath and then headed back to school for Rachel's Red Ribbon Week program. After the program we came home for lunch and naps. After school on Thursday we all just hung out and caught up on the week. Friday we got up early to get Rachel into her Halloween costume, then it was off the school. Alec and Becca had an early lunch and naps so that I could get them ready and be back at school by 1:45 for the Halloween parade. We had a lot of fun watching all the kids in their costumes. Alec enjoyed watching everyone but did not like the mascots for some reason. Becca loved the mascots and got to give them lots of high fives and even gave one of them a hug. After the kids all walked they let anyone in the audience that was dressed up walk so Rachel came over and got Becca to walk with her. We tried to get Alec to walk but he was not having it. After school we came home and did some touch up on costumes before heading to town to trick or treat. We started off at Stacy's, then Marty and Lisa's followed by Grandma Priest's. Auntie J meet us at Grandma's and Mike and Alec stayed in to visit while Rachel, Becca and I went to a couple houses on Grandma's block. The girls got cold so we went back and picked up Mike and Alec, then it was off to Bill and Laura's, then Shawn and Michelle's before ending the night at Gwen and Travis's for a Halloween Party. The kids had so much fun and played until everyone left. As we were on the way home Rachel and Alec both feel asleep, at one point Becca started to cry in the back, I asked her what was the matter? She said, "My eyes keep going all crazy!" I asked her if she was falling asleep, she replied, "Yes my eyes are crazy and keep shutting." Needless to say she stayed awake all the way home and insisted that she need pajamas on to go to sleep.

Saturday morning we got up and ready and after Mike rounded at the hospital and a quick trip to Walmart we headed to the ranch. We enjoyed the day hanging out with Aaron, Liza, Sean, Ashlynn, Grandma Wanda, Granddad, Nick and Baby Kelcee. Becca got to hold Kelcee when she wanted and Alec and Rachel enjoyed their time with Sean and Ash. After brunch on Sunday we can home and the kids played outside while I got the house somewhat back in order and we worked on Rachel's school stuff before watching a movie and heading to bed.