A Montage of Family Themed Halloween Costumes

I think our Halloween costumes are finally ready. And just in time. They've been in the works for months.

We did our first themed costumes back in 2008 when Aaron was just a baby. At the time, I don't think I had any plans to keep up the tradition of family themed costumes. But as our kids have grown up and become more opinionated, they have insisted on keeping a theme. I keep thinking they're going to get too old and not want to match with their parents and siblings anymore, but this was not the year.

In fact, I think they've been more excited about their costumes this year than ever before. And really, although Mike and I ended up doing all the grunt work, these costumes were all their ideas.

But before we get to this year, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at all of the family themed costumes that came before.

First up, and as a special bonus for you, this gem from 2004 when Mike and I were dating: a couple of chefs in that beautiful kitchen in Heritage Halls. I guess this should have been our first clue that we had a thing for themes.

2008: A bee and his beekeepers

2009: Cats . . . a "cougar," a lion, and a cat

2010: Peter Pan . . . Wendy, Smee, Captain Hook, and Peter Pan

2011: Toy Story . . . Buzz Lightyear, Rex, Jessie, Slinky Dog, Woody

2012: Bugs . . . potato bug, bug catcher, spider, butterfly, and bee

2013: Medieval . . . dragon, princess, knight, wizard, jester

2014: Pirates

2015: Wizard of Oz . . . the Great Oz, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Dorothy, Toto, and Tin Man

2016: Where's Waldo?

And finally, 2017: Calvin and Hobbes . . . Stupendous Man, Dad, Spaceman Spiff, Calvin, Mom, Snowman, and Hobbes

Which one is your favorite (I'm partial to the Wizard of Oz)? And what are your costumes this year?