Trick or treating was off this year so we had to get creative on Halloween this year. And by “we”, I mean “my mom.” Grandma planned an epic scavenger hunt for the kids – 15 hints with 15 stops for candy around our whole neighborhood. She got so many of the neighbors involved who looked through their windows as the kids raced around in search of their candy – hidden in discreet places like under the elephant statue, or in flower pots on top of tree stumps. We ended up having 11 kids so acing around from age 7-13.

After the scavenger hunt, we had an incredible meal prepared in Dutch ovens (thanks to Will and Kim) and the adults sat around the bonfire while the kids watched Charlie Brown’s Halloween and Nightmare Before Christmas on an outdoor “screen” (white sheet).

All in all, I think we will remember this Halloween more than any other. The kids all went to bed saying how much fun they had had!