Halloween Memories

Well, another Halloween has come and gone

and I didn't get all the things done that I wanted to...bummer.

Oh well, there is always Thanksgiving!

It was a nice night for trick-or-treating.

No wind, and just enough chill to warrant a sweater.

The kids did not require bulky coats over their costumes.

Belen went with her friends around the neighborhood. I'm not exactly sure what they were. I think just a bunch of girls hoping not to outgrow trick-or-treating.

I remember my sister taking me trick-or-treating when she was 13 and I was 8. She told me to say "trick-or-treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat." So I did. The old people laughed and thought I was so cute and gave us lots of candy. Older siblings can manipulate you that way.

Another memorable Halloween was a time when all four of us kids were trick-or-treating, we came up to a house and rang the doorbell. A guy answered and he was shirtless, and had a beer in his hand. Upon realizing it was Halloween, he scratched his head and said, "oh man, I forgot!" He looked around to give us something and said, "I've got beer. Ya want beer??"

We all looked at our older brother, Blair, and he so politely said, "no thank you, that's okay." But the guy insisted on giving us something.

So we left with a buck each, some key chains and I think I got an ashtray.

It was the thought that counts I guess...

Anyway, this year Charley was the "punk rock" bride of Frankenstein. She's now in love with big hair and would've fit in well in the 80's. She's determined to wake up early and curl it every morning before school. Reese was Dracula, but he didn't wear the teeth because they tasted like plastic and "not a good flavor like blueberry." Blair Noel was a fairy princess, of course. Her skirt lit up and glowed. I was happy that she wore the princess crown my mom made me when I was 6. Trae wore a teddy bear costume so he could be all warm and snuggly.

Halloween amuses me. It's a strange holiday but always fun since it's the only day of the year when we feel entitled to go and beg the neighbors for candy. I mean we let the kids go and beg. We just watch from the sidewalk and then go home to see what good candy we, I mean, they get. I did see some teenage girls trick-or-treating for UNICEF. Now that is a worthy cause.

I hope you all had fun seeing your family and friends enjoy the night of fun costumes, sweet treats and the cool fall air!