First time for everything

My mother should be nick-named "The Candy Nana"! Each time we visit, each time she visits us, she gives us two bags of candy. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I like my candy as much as the kids! Mom tries to give us our favorites, this includes Hershey's miniatures and Goetze's caramels! After dividing the bag seven ways, it isn't as much as you might thing -- maybe five pieces each. Then, if Dale and I each take a few, of course the kids get even less. My point is, two bags isn't as much as you might think. (I'm trying to rationalize all this candy in my house! Can you tell?) Each Halloween Mom makes up candy bags for her 14 grandchildren. (Yes, half of those are MY kids! Even more candy in my house!) With Mom's recent illnesses and hospital stays, she was just not up to fulfilling her duties as The Candy Nana. That's where I stepped in! Mom gave me the money and I went candy shopping! Mom gave me a limit of $40.00; I spent $35.00!
Once home from the stores, I divided it all out and bagged it up. Soon after, while in the neighborhood, Mom and Dad picked up the candy and took it home so my children could later trick or treat at their house, bringing the candy right back to our house again! LOL!

When they came to pick up the Halloween treats, I received my "candy" -- a huge box of tasty turnips, fresh from Pappy's garden! YUM!!

Traditionally, Dale and I only take the children trick or treating to the homes of family and friends. Most years, that meant about six homes. Keep in mind, my mother alone gives them more candy than necessary! They also got a ton of candy from trick or trunk at church. This year Ashton begged to trick or treat one of the local neighborhoods. Since this was her last year to trick or treat, I gave in. The first time trick or treating at the home of "strangers"!

No one was allowed to eat any of this candy until either Dale or I had inspected it. Candy with the wrapper torn or the box open, was thrown away.

Our last stop was at Nana and Pappy's house. Kaden took Bryson's coon skin cap and placed it on Nana's head. We then gave her Bryson flannel shirt to complete the costume!

The Candy Nana dressed as Davey Crockett!

Halloween 2007

This year Brady went trick-or-treating with his friend Aaron Anderson. He wasn't with us when we stopped in for treats at Aunt Bonnie and Nan Nan's house. Each year Aunt Bonnie tries to trick us before we get our treats. Last year she was the mysterious ghost sitting on the front step. We thought it was a statue until it moved and scared us half to death!

This year Aunt Bonnie had a coffin on the front step with a ghost hanging from the pine tree. Spooking stuff!

Thanks for the treats Aunt Bonnie and Nan Nan! We also got lots of good stuff from Nana and Pappy! Nana always has candy on hand. It's like Halloween at her house every day! Thanks Nana and Pappy!