Hallowen in Days of Yore

I wish there had been a tendency to take photographs when I was a kid. I had a couple of killer costumes that I wore for many years. They did not seem "killer" at the time, but if we'd been the kind of family that kept track of such things, they would be vintage and valuable at this point in time. One year I was Minnie Mouse - imagine a dime-store Minnie Mouse costume from 1953 - think what it could fetch on eBay!!

Other years I was a gypsy - and the old costume that sat in our dress-up bin was one my mother had worn as a girl!! It was gauzy and red and blue and yellow with metallic trim on the jacket. I only regretted that there were not only no pierced ears in our household, so that I could wear large hoop earrings, there were no earrings of any sort for me to purloin!

So you will just have to take my word for it that I looked awesome!! Others in the family - including me some years - usually were hobos - eyebrow pencil whiskers and old shirts - works when you have quite a few kids in the house.

And yes, my brothers ranged far and wide trick or treating - carrying pillow cases! And my dad sorted through our loot, confiscating his faves!! I don't remember even resenting that move on his part - probably I was keen on the Jolly Ranchers of my era and didn't even like the stuff he took. Some things never change - just the brand names!

Everyone has heard the story about Bonny being Miss America one year - and being chagrined that everyone thought she was a mere princess!! ("Can't they read my glitter banner that clearly says Miss America!!" and "What princess carries red roses??")

Phoebe was one of those who loved to dig around and come up with stuff - for her and the neighbors!!

And of course the story is becoming legendary almost about the year Halloween was on a Sunday - the kids did not go trick or treating - but we did dress up and pass treats out from our door. I don't really remember the other Sunday years - it's obviously happened more than once.

But here's the shot that started this whole post - found this in some stuff at my mom's house this summer. Harry, Damond and Reggie at a ward Halloween party - I think they went with us often - you can tell it's the ward by the post they are posing next to.

It must be 6th grade - because I remember Harry being at Clifton when he wanted to be Harpo Marx. We'd exposed Bonny and Harry to the Marx Brothers, and Harry was hooked. He had the whole costume put together except for the hair. I thought his own hair was wild and curly enough by itself, but he was not satisfied. We went hunting - and found this wig - which still gets packed away each year with the Halloween stuff - at K Mart - and Harry willingly parted with $15 of his own to pay for it - since I said no way was I going to spend that much!

He wore the costume for several years in a row - always made a big hit - won him a prize or two. I wonder if anyone would recognize it now? (anyone under 35 that is!!)

I am loaded for the trick or treaters who will probably not show up - last year there were 2! But hope does spring eternal!!

Happy All Hallow's Eve to one and all. Maybe I will sit in front of the computer and watch The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on YouTube!! (At least it's short enough that Dad and I won't fall asleep watching it! - and thanks for the reminder about it Eliza!!)

Coolest Costume I've Seen , So Far

Bonus points if you guess who she's dressed up as........

"Over the river and through the woods . . .

. . . to grandchildren's house we go!"

Hannah sent me this shot - and entitled it "Theo, waiting patiently for his grandparents to come visit."

We can't wait either Theo!!

Halloween Happenings at the Lemon Building!!

Dad brought a big box of stuff home from the shop - and we dug through it and came up with some costumes - more than I usually do, I will say that. Dad commented that everyone asked who he was!! ("Can't you just dress up?" Dad asked, "Does there have to be a theme or a movie or a T.V. show?")

Mostly he does something that involves his "teeth!" I wore a tag that said, "Hi, I'm Carpenterita" and the other tag said, "If you build it, they will come." Seemed to satisfy everyone. (And I think some people just liked my hair!!)

Angela Larson - nice and ghoulish!!

Roseann G. - part of Karate Kid. I saw the movie - but it was a long time ago - so I didn't remember the skeleton part.

This part looked more familiar.

This was my favorite part!

The Magnussons - as Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs!"

The Cornwalls were Robin Hood and Friar Tuck - or is it Friar John? Sarah was Maid Marian - but she wasn't at the table when I came by!! Sue is noising around that this may have been the grand finale - somehow I don't see that happening - I told her she could now mine the annals of great historical couples - and the possibilities there were endless! (I keep trying to get Dad to go for that angle, but he thinks you need to just look scary or goofy or it's not Halloween!)

The Dodds were flowers - and Lydia and Audrey were bees. So was Miles, be he was off celebrating with the other kids.

Marissa and Brenda Carlson did the face painting honors - always popular.

Eve got a prize - prettiest I think. I got one too - for "Dirtiest Handyman!!" (They were just trying to get rid of candy bars when they called that one! )

Porter and Harry were loving all the fun stuff to do.

Especially the Trunk or Treating.

Karan joined us again - as a cat - when asked where her tail was, she replied that she was a Manx!

We still have to get through Halloween at school on Friday - I plan to do a little Edgar Allen Poe - I'll let you know how it goes.

And Saturday is the real deal - but we never get trick or treaters - although with Ali up the street, we may at least get 2!

The Weekend That Was - "Did anyone see that masked man?"

It has indeed been a long, busy weekend. We have had lots of visitors here at the old homestead. And even though we've gone through a ton of food, the fridge is still overflowing. So go ahead and come on by if you're in the neighborhood!!

Friday afternoon found Dad picking me up at school, and we headed to the temple. I have resumed working there again - and it was a stake temple night, so it was great to see many friends from the ward - and Harry and Dawn too.

The next morning found Dad at Make a Difference Day and me at the market, stocking up for the onslaught of friends and family who were coming to see Hannah and Robbie - who had arrived Thursday for a wedding in Pismo Beach on Friday.

Hannah's old roomie Katie, along with her husband Tyler and kids Eliza and Oliver, came by for lunch and a visit. Later on Dane and his new bride Traci joined us. I had the really bright idea of getting a new rope and ball for the tetherball - Dad had put the pole back up this summer, ostensibly to make a hanging strawberry planter, but that didn't happen.

A group shot - it was a little strange to hear Hannah calling out "Eliza" so often - I "knew" our Eliza was not there, but hearing Hannah calling out for Tyler and Katie's little girl was a little spooky at times. She is a very cute - and precocious - little girl.

We got to very briefly visit with the Hamill crew when they came by to pick up their other car that Hannah and Robbie had driven down from Pismo. Diane did get to have some Pumpkin Chocolate Chip cookies - I mean, first things first!!

Hannah and I headed out for pedicures at Urbane - and enjoyed the pampering and the visiting time. Noah, Dad and Robbie did the In N Out duty getting dinner for us.

We enjoyed sitting around the kitchen table and "catching up" and reminiscing.

Harry, Dawn and kids dropped by later - and the tetherball was a big hit with Eve, Porter and Harry.

We wound up the evening with Matilda, a new fave hereabouts!! (Hannah saw most of it - the rest of us joined in for the conclusion!!)


Sunday was church, of course, and Sunday afternoon included some nap time for some people!! Then folks started arriving for our 5 p.m. dinner. I thought this shot of Bruce and Noah catching up on their newspaper reading was pretty funny!! (But maybe you had to be there!!)

Bonny promptly took advantage of the swing - as well she should, since she did a lot of solo soccer duty on Saturday!!

And the tetherball continues to be a big hit!

Mother, Donna and Mary joined us - Donna is getting around much better.

It was a "girls only" table in the kitchen.

Donna, Mary and Mom brought some yummy cookies to go with ice cream for dessert - decorated Halloween sugar cookies and of course, Donna's chocolate chip cookies!!

We enjoyed ham, potatoes, green beans, salad, rolls and freshly made raspberry jam.

Dawn took Eve to a baptism in Glendora - Mr. Lujan's nanny joined the church! (She's actually a nanny for the Lujan kids - not Fil!!) Then her car wouldn't start, so there were a few tense moments getting them all back - but "all's well that ends well!"

Grandma Terrill joined us too - always a treat.

Greg came after a hard all night shift at work - Bonny took pity on him and did kitchen duty so he could relax a bit!! (Bonny had many helpers too!!)

Marissa, a young woman who has been attending church in our ward, also joined us. Turns out she knew Noah already. Oh, it's a small town in Monrovia!

Porter and Annika were pretty serious about their ice cream.

Hannah's friend Kate Burrill came by to say hi. On Saturday, just after Hannah and Robbie arrived, Hannah was sure she saw Kate walking up our street. She ran out calling "Kate, Kate" but Kate was wearing earphones and didn't hear her - so Hannah Facebooked her and they connected.

Once again Harry W. ran out of diapers - and wore cloth ones - Dawn observed that he's her only child who has ever worn cloth diapers - I would bet he might be the only one of the grandkids who has ever worn a cloth diaper. He thinks they're pretty funny!

I'm up late making pumpkin pies for the ward Halloween party tomorrow night - yes, Monrovia is still doing the Monday night gig in spite of instructions to the contrary - I will point that out so you don't all point it out to me as you are wont to do! (I'm not in charge folks!)

Hannah, all packed up and ready for an early a.m. departure. We will miss her - and Robbie - and look forward to our upcoming visit to their domicile.

It's always great to spend time with Robbie - we enjoy his good nature and genuine interest in our lives. And I will have to add that he's getting pretty popular with the California contingent of grandkids! (I think he's already pretty popular with the Eastern contingent!!)

Oh, that silly Hannah - she had to hop in bed to test out the "memory foam" on our mattress. Dad is subbing in Seminary, so Little Harry is doing the get to the airport honors in the early a.m. Have a great trip - we love you guys and loved having you here!!

Happy Day to Calvin!!

Calvin is a special little boy!! He has many moods and many faces - and all of them together make him the wonderful little boy that he is.

I've spent time with Calvin and his siblings - often alone with them while Mom and Dad have a get away and Grandpa runs relays - or when Mom has a baby.

And we have a fine time together. These photos are pretty random - but as I browsed through them, I recalled some fun times and great memories.

He's a fun little brother - and a great big brother too.

Here' s to you Calvin - for a great year ahead.

Below is one of my fave photos of Calvin!!

He does just get cuter and cuter doesn't he!?

Have a Super Day - Super Boy!! And thanks for the memories!