If you’ve ever driven through Belterra in October and thought, ““Who lives in that house where Halloween seems to have taken over?,”— that’s us. I’m Bobbi Jo, though most of my friends know me as the “Queen of Halloween.” Every fall, our home transforms into a spooky spectacle that has become a bit of a neighborhood landmark.

I’ve always had a love for all things spooky, the kind of fascination that feels stitched into my soul. Sometimes I joke that in a past life I must have been a Victorian lady draped in black velvet, presiding over candlelit séances in the parlor of a grand Second Empire mansard. Picture the room: heavy velvet curtains drawn tight, a table ringed with trembling hands and flickering candles, the scent of smoke and wax hanging in the air, and me calling upon spirits to make themselves known. Ghost stories, haunted houses, the thrill of a good scare—I’ve always been drawn to it all. My dream one day is to own one of those Victorian mansards that I can devote entirely to Halloween décor, where every hall whispers with shadows. Until then, Belterra must settle for our house transforming into the neighborhood haunted attraction every fall.

Luckily, I married Colby, whose love of the slasher legends—Michael Myers, Jason, Leatherface, Freddy—perfectly complements my love of all things spooky. I bring the eerie details and haunted vibe; he brings the thrill of masked killers and suspense. He’s also the first to tell me to “live my dreams” when I come home with a new prop or wild idea, and he’s always pushing me to make it even better. Where I see a scary figure, he’ll say, “What if it moved?” Where I imagine a ghost, he’ll ask, “What if we added sound?” And of course, he’s the one who insists on firing up the fog machines—because nothing says Halloween like a yard swallowed in mist. Together, we make the perfect spooky team.

The two questions we get asked most often? First: “Is the inside decorated too?” The answer is yes—every bit as much as the outside. The second: “Where on earth do you store all of this?” The short answer: everywhere. Closets, the garage, the attic—if there’s space, Halloween has claimed it. Let’s just say we have literal skeletons in the closets. And yes, I’m starting to run out of room.

Colby and I met back in the Bay Area of California. Long before kids or careers, we were just two people figuring out life together in a place where the cost of living made you wonder if avocados were really worth it. Maddi was born there, and like many young parents, we realized raising a child in the Bay Area might not be the most practical choice if we wanted space, affordability, and a backyard.

So about ten years ago, we made the big move to Austin. It was a leap, but it turned out to be the right one. Our family settled into a new rhythm, and in 2017, we welcomed our second daughter, Harlow. The following year, in 2018, we found Belterra and instantly knew it was home.

Belterra gave us everything we were looking for—a community where our kids could ride bikes to school, explore greenbelt trails, and grow up surrounded by neighbors who actually know each other. And then, of course, there’s Halloween here. Trick-or-treating in Belterra is legendary. It’s not just about candy; it’s a full community event. For a family that lives for October 31st, that sealed the deal.

Our daughters keep us laughing and grounded. Maddi, born in California, has a mix of West Coast roots and Texas spirit, while Harlow is our true Texan through and through. They share the same enthusiasm for our traditions and love being part of our adventures. While fall is all about getting spooky, summers are dedicated to the Belterra Marlins swim team, which has become a huge part of our life. The girls spend mornings at the pool with friends, and we spend Saturdays cheering them on at meets.

Of course, our family wouldn’t be complete without our zoo of pets. First, there’s Lynx, our sphynx cat. Yes, the hairless one. If you’ve never seen a sphynx cat in person, imagine a wrinkly old man crossed with a tiny alien who insists on sitting on your shoulder like a parrot. Lynx thinks she runs the house—and honestly, she might.

Then there are our dogs: Stevie, who is sweet but convinced every guest is there to see only her, and Bowie, our 140-pound rescue who believes he’s a lap dog. Nothing says “welcome to our home” like a small horse barreling toward you at the front door.

Colby and I both work in tech, which means our days are filled with laptop screens, emails, meetings, and the usual chaos of that world. But when we’re off the clock, we love to golf. It’s our shared outlet—part sport, part relaxation, and part excuse to be outside. Our weekends often involve golf in the morning, swim meets or other activities with the girls in the afternoon, and me sneaking in a little Halloween planning… no matter the season.

For us, Belterra isn’t just a neighborhood, it’s where our family has truly grown into who we are. It’s where Maddi and Harlow are building friendships and memories, where neighbors stop by to chat or admire the decorations, and where we see ourselves growing old.

So if you’re out trick-or-treating this October and see a house that looks like it belongs on a scary movie set—that’s us. Stop by, grab some candy, and remember that around here, Halloween isn’t just one night—it’s part of who we are.