Jax was full of smiles for his third Halloween as he sported his great white shark costume. He was fascinated with sharks and marine life. This was about six months before our trip to the Long Beach Aquarium.

I don’t remember if it was me or my wife, but one of us brilliantly thought to throw some severed fingers in his pumpkin for the night. You know, to add to the costume.

Moo, the stuffed animal cow, was his best friend. Jax wanted him to dress up too, so my wife bought him a pumpkin costume designed for dogs. It fit pretty well. Jax was nervous about trick-or-treating, but having Moo by his side gave him the courage to do it.

I miss that smile.

Dad with the photo bomb.

And of course there’s gore.

Gotta pee?

Moo in his pumpkin outfit.

Happy times.

And Dad’s drinking again.