Happy Halloween

This was technically my fourth Halloween being a part of the Lukaszewicz family and yet, somehow, I missed the memo on how awesome Halloween is at Mary Ellen's house. When Mary Ellen mentioned last week that we could come over on Wednesday if we wanted to see the kids in their costumes and, if we felt like it, go trick-or-treating...I thought it would be a rushed meeting in the breezeway and then the families would head out, the kids would tire early, and everyone would head home. Oh no.

The magnificent Mary Ellen opens her home to not only family but all of her neighborhood friends and makes a delicious display of fall food choices including an amazing pumpkin soup! The door is open to any and all with the house bustling full of so many little people in costumes and happily chatting adults - it couldn't help but warm your heart.  I didn't get a ton of pictures.  Between eating, laughing, chasing kids, and trick-or-treating...the camera was not the priority.  But, here is a small collection as we got ready to head out and get some candy!!

Kelley and the girls made it over in costume and ready to go!

Mike and I tagged along for our last Trick-or-Treating without a little one of our own.

Ellen and James the Dinosaur...neither one could look cuter if they tried!

A Happy Giraffe

Our little caravan...

I tried so hard to capture this...that is Henry in the orange dinosaur costume and Juliette the giraffe holding hands as they went trick-or-treating. Sigh.

And, finally, one action shot of an actual Trick-or-Treating moment.

We all headed back to Mary Ellen's house where the party continued. Kids displayed their booty and counted their candy and the adults caught up on wonderful conversation.  It was such a great night.

Happy Halloween everybody!!

Mike's Birthday Continues!

After our raucous night at the lake, we headed over to Mary Ellen's house to warm our hearts with family and fill our bellies with Mary Ellen's delicious cooking.  We were lucky enough to get a huge turn-out to celebrate Mike's 38th Birthday (this is only a small sampling of the crowd).

Here is LuLu in the shirt-dress that I made for her almost a year ago when Ann and Chris were heading off to China to go and pick her up. She finally fits in it!! The Canvasmen's smallest fan. :)

Mary Ellen out did herself with decorations, delicious beef stroganoff (Mike's favorite!), and just look at this cake!!

This is my most favorite view of Mike...

Ann made it out from Goldi's to join in the fun just in time for dinner...

 

Gerry is clearly enthusiastic about his uncle's birthday party...

 

And, after a large meal, we finished with one of my other favorite things about Mary Ellen's house. We all sat around the table talking, laughing, and enjoying the company of this wonderful family.

Happy Birthday, Mike!!!

Happy Birthday Mike!

On October 20th, a thirsty crew gathered at the Lukaszewicz family lake house to celebrate Mike's 38th birthday and a bittersweet send-off to our L.A.-bound friend James.

As the sun began to set, the views were nothing short of spectacular...

The fire jumper from 2011 quickly got to work building a monster bonfire for the event.

 

As the sun finally set...

The party officially got started!

Jello shots, taco dip, and jalapeno poppers for appetizers.

We all gathered around for a slightly crowded but wonderful dinner together.  Here are a few after-shots of the group (thanks to Michelle Tcheng who provided the following pictures):

There were games played all over the house until we finally all gathered in the family room. After one failed run at Chug-A-Lug, salad bowl won out with this crowd.

It was about this time, the baby and I decided to head to bed.

While I may have gone to sleep, the party did not stop.  I can only speculate on the following shenanigans, I believe that Primus played a pivotal role in the closing ceremonies of the night.

DIRTY!!!!!

Do CD players work when held on their side?

Happy 38th Birthday, Mike and thanks to everybody who made it out to the lake to celebrate!