My memories of Halloweens past

When I was young I remember Halloween (and all holidays) were a big deal in our house. Around the begining of October we would get all the fun Halloween decorations out and fill the house with spooky fun! Of course it was always fun as a child to pick out a Halloween costume. And then I would anticipate Halloween night for the coming weeks. About a week before Halloween we would always carve pumpkins and make anight of it. That was so much fun! And when Halloween finally arrived it was so exciting.  When I got home from school I would start bugging my parents asking when it was time to get ready and go trick-or-treating. I wasnt allowed to go until it got dark outside, so the anticipation would build. When it was finally time, mom would help me get ready and apply any makeup I might need that year. Of course we always had to take lots of pictures and usually dad would get the video camera out as well. And then dad would take me out. I remember being so excited and wanting to run ahead of dad to the next house. We lived in a great neighborhood and I had lots of good friends, which only made it that much more fun. After gathering as much candy as possible, and when I thought dad's legs might fall off, we would head back home. Mom would be there waiting with open arms, quizing me on if I had gotten any Tootsie Rolls or Big Hunks! LOL Of course every year there was always a fresh hot homemade pot of mom's chili on the stove, all the toppings for the chili, fresh rolls, and doughnuts for dessert. (like I didnt have enough sugar) Sometimes family would come over and sometimes after we had our fun at home we would go to them but, it didnt really where we were, we were together. That was the very best part.
My memories of Halloween and all holidays past are centered around my family. My mom and dad were so amazing when it came to creating traditions for us. Traditions that centered around Love, Happiness, Togetherness, and being a Family! I absolutely love that my mom and dad took the time every year and every holliday to continue these traditions through my childhood and as I grew up and now even in my my adulthood. It thrills me to share these traditions with my little guy. I love now going over to mom and dad's on Halloween night and knowing that when we walk in the door Grant will smell the chili on the stove(just like I did when I was young) and he will be forced to eat some of that chili before he is allowed to enjoy a doughnut for dessert(just like I was) After he goes trick or treating he comes home to Maama and papa's and dumps out his candy and Maama will ask him if he got any tootsie rolls. And everytime he hears a knock at the door he loves to be the first one to the treat bucket so that he can pass out the candy to the trick or treaters, just like I did. I plan on keeping these traditions alive for a long time and I hope that when Grant has kids I will also be able to share these wonderful traditions with my grandkids.
Thank you so much mom and dad for always letting me know how important these traditions were to you and how important our family was and is. I love you both so much!