Halloween 2026

I think I say this every year, but once Halloween hits the rest of the year just flies by so I try to soak in every second of it, and not get too stressed about the busyness of it all. This year felt extra busy with all of the extra activities that I had to attend for yearbook purposes (I’m in charge of the elementary school yearbook this year). Here’s our Halloween activities.

One of my favorite moments? It was the only time this year that both Carson and Tanner performed together in the same orchestra concert. Their schools combine the junior high and high school groups for this performance, and getting to watch both of them on stage at the same time was something I didn’t take for granted. Carson made it even more memorable by winning “Best Costume” in his orchestra for showing up as Superman—because of course he did. 🎻🦸‍♂️

       

Meanwhile, I jumped back into one of my favorite traditions—co-hosting our Halloween murder mystery party. My uncle Matt gifted me all his old Murder Mystery parties, so I have plenty of games!  This tradition will continue for years to come.  This year’s theme: An Affair to Dismember with classic Halloween costumes, and the creativity did not disappoint. I wrapped myself up as a mummy, and our group included a zombie, witch, devil, vampire, fortune teller, cannibal… and somehow, a dentist 😆 It was chaotic, hilarious, amazing food and everything a Halloween party should be.

Logan had such a full and special Halloween season too. He decorated his final book character pumpkin for school—this year choosing Petey from Dog Man, which turned out so cute. It’s hard to believe this was also his last year participating in the book character parade. There are so many “lasts” happening as he finishes up 5th grade, and I can definitely feel it. He dressed as Eddie from Stranger Things (which he was very proud of), and also got to enjoy the school’s trunk-or-treat.

We love Ms. T! She’s our school officer and a celebrity. All the kids love her, and with adults she’s equal bits hilarious and terrifying (if you don’t know her) at the same time. 

Going through the candy stash

All the cheerleaders loved Logan's costume and kept giving him a hard time by wanting to take his picture.

And in a rare and wonderful twist—all three boys dressed up this year! That’s becoming less and less common as they get older, so I loved seeing them fully embrace the fun again.

Since there was no school on Halloween, we let Logan have a pizza party with his friends before they all headed out to trick-or-treat together. Tanner went with his girlfriend and her younger brother, and Carson was off with his friends too—everyone doing their own thing, growing up right before our eyes.

That left just me and Brad at home, handing out candy to all the neighborhood kids.

I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little bittersweet. Those years of walking door-to-door with them are behind us now. But seeing them out there, independent and making memories with their friends, is pretty special too.

Halloween may look different these days, but it’s still just as fun. 🎃

Halloween!

This Halloween was packed with fun, friends, and a little mystery! I kicked things off with a murder mystery night with my girlfriends using a How to Host a Murder Mystery box that my Aunt Sherry gave me years ago. It was such a fun evening, and good memories.

Crissy did such a great job with the charcuterie board!

One of the highlights this month was the Halloween Masquerade Orchestra Concert, where both the high school and junior high orchestras performed together. It was such a treat to finally see Tanner and Carson play in the same evening—so proud of both of them! Between their performances, they hosted a Halloween parade for the little kids. Logan did it for the candy.

Oh and every year the teachers dress up too! In the past they’ve done the Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, and Sesame Street. This year it was Toy Story!

 While the boys were off trick-or-treating with their friends, our neighbor threw a Halloween party just for the grown-ups. It was a great chance to relax and catch up with friends while the kids made their candy rounds.

Best of all—this year all three boys dressed up again! The past couple years Carson hasn’t dressed up for Halloween, but this year he actually asked me to buy him this mask so he could dress up as his favorite album cover Tyler the Creator’s Dr Doom. It’s getting rarer as they get older, so it made my mama heart happy to see them all in costume together.

His inspiration

Halloween 2023

It’s that time of year! When Halloween kicks off the holiday season with yummy treats and spooky ghouls.

Book character parade at school!

Logan has really gotten into Anime so his costume this year is from one of his favorite books Demon Slayer. Giyu.

It’s weird having only one kid to cheer for this year.

Halloween night. My two boys that will still go trick or treating.

Tanner with his creepy clown costume 🤡 

And Logan

Tanner and his friend Matthew. Hardly saw Tanner at all that night! He was off having too much fun.

Logan had a friend pick him up to go trick or treating by themselves. I burst into tears after I shut the door watching all my kids go off on their own.  They are getting too big/old they no longer need me.

Brad and I did go out for a little to watch Logan go trick or treating. It’s not fun just staying inside and passing out the candy. We did stay a good distance behind so he could be on his own. And then at the end of night Logan ran off with Carson and his friends while they roomed the neighborhood, feeling like such a big kid. My baby is not a baby anymore.

 It was a great night! I’m trying so hard to cherish these last years of childhood while also giving them space to grow. I’m already missing them. It’s hard.

Halloween 2022

Its that time of year! When the holiday season officially kicks off in October with the Halloween activities.  Ever since school started it’s been one thing after another and I'm exhausted and wanting life to slow down a bit, but you know that ain't gonna happen with the holidays.  Maybe life will calm down in January... here's hoping! 🤞🏻

One of our favorite Halloween traditions is going to see the Houston Symphony play Halloween"ish" songs. The kids get to dress up and sit on the lawn and listen to the music.  Brad unfortunately was in Canada so he wasn't able to come. But the boys and I had a fun mother son date.

Carson being the cool teenager that he is and didn't dress up.  Love these boys.

it was kindof creepy sitting next to this guy all night, but we sure had fun!

Library character pumpkin decoration!  Carson had done Harry Potter in the past, but Logan didn't and he really wanted to do Harry Potter.  So Harry Potter it is.

Brad and I attended an adult only costume party! It was amazing.  Not surprised though Nikki goes all out.

The day before Halloween Logan says that we never carved pumpkins.  So we went to 3 stores looking, and they were all gone except for the smaller ones that you use for cooking.  So that's what we did and actually it was the perfect size for an 8 year old to carve.  We'll have to do it again next year.

Jr High Orchestras Masquerade Concert!  This is how he chose to dress up for it. 

The Halloween concert is combined with the high school and I love that all the teachers dress up in a theme.  Last year was Sesame Street and this year was the Wizard of Oz.  So cute. The high school teacher was the tin man and Carson's other teacher was the scarecrow.  (Carson is the middle cello) 

Book Character parade for these two cuties.  I wouldn't let Logan wear his costume because it was too scary for school so he went as the Ghost of Christmas past and Tanner was Naruto from his favorite anime.

The look Logan gave when he saw us.

vs the look Tanner gave when he saw us.  

My traditional Halloween picture of the kids in their costumes looks different this year as Carson has officially reached the age where he doesn’t dress up and instead goes to a party with his friends 😢 not going to lie that it makes me a little sad that he’s growing up so much.

Logan really wanted to be something scary this year and chose Michael Myers. Tanner is his favorite character from anime Naruto. 

Tanner ran off trick or treating with friends, but at least Logan will still go with us!

Tanner and his cute neighborhood friend Jason.

Caught! Finally found tanner and his friend Jack. He ran off again as soon as I took the picture. 

And this cute little moment when one big Michael Myers ran into a little Michael Myers and had a staring contest. Too cute!

Phew! Halloween is over! Bring on our Anniversary and Thanksgiving!