It’s over! Clean up that mess in your yard!

Okay, I will be the first to admit that I am a Halloween Grinch.  I truly fail to understand how it became a Hallmark occasion.  I mean, really—Halloween cards?  The other day I actually heard Martha Stewart—the queen of all that is uber tasteful (I thought)--gushing about how it’s her favorite holiday.  Seriously???!!!

Let me list some of the things I hate about Halloween:

Candy corn, skulls and/or skeletons, fake blood, Halloween movies, spook alleys inside churches (more on that in a minute), smashed pumpkins along with other forms of random vandalism, fifteen year olds in hoodies and skinny jeans who pound on your door and demand candy, and night-time-only inflatables that look like  giant used condoms scattered all over the yard come day light.

I am not completely without a heart.  There are things I like about Halloween:

Jack o’ lanterns, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and little trick or treaters wearing charming, creative costumes.

I will confess that I came late to the costume party.  My own children will attest to that.  Their costumes were contrived at the last minute from things we had around the house; sheets, garbage bags, toilet paper, etc.  Of course my grandchildren cannot be forced to endure such humiliation,  and so a tradition was born twelve years ago…

This year I made all or parts of thirteen costumes.  Here are the pics along with news updates from each family:

The Reed family went to Disneyland earlier in the month and stayed for the special trick or treating event.  Appropriately enough, they were all dressed in Toy Story costumes; Carl and Heather found their Potato Head costumes online along with Will’s Buzz Lightyear.  I made Jessie for Aubrey and Woody for Spencer.   As it turned out, it was good they did their celebrating early.  Aubrey had her end of the year 4-H awards banquet Saturday night (she got first place for the season in Western and third place for the season in English) and Spencer got sick so they missed trunk or treat at the church.  Spencer has had several bad throat infections this year and is seeing the ENT doc tomorrow to schedule a tonsillectomy. 

As you can see, the Clement kids won their campaign against doing a costume theme this year.  Jake really wanted to be Nacho Libre for his last year of trick or treating and Riley and Brooke wanted something they could wear make-up with.  So they are 80s punk divas and Morgan is an adorable bunny.  Their ward featured a Book Mormon spook alley at their party Saturday night.  I hardly know where to begin… 

Next weekend Jake is flying to Dallas for the Psoriasis Walk.  Because of her pregnancy and limitations that the dr. has placed on her, Liza won’t be able to go with him.  Jake will be representing the family and accepting kudos for their team’s fundraising efforts.   Liza and Jeremy organized a raffle, raising over $1,500 plus the online donations they received.  We are very proud of their charitable efforts.

The White girls also opted out of a theme this year.  Ellie wanted to be a fairy, but not just any fairy—the Tooth Fairy.  Liv wanted to be a “pretty” cowgirl and Abby wasn’t fussy.  Their Halloween was very representative of Texas…apparently.  They visited the pumpkin patch and corn maze and were surprised to find that the maze was  in the shape of George Strait, a favorite resident of San Antonio.

If that isn’t Texas-y enough for you, their ward party featured an activity where children colored pictures of deer, hung them up on a sheet and shot them with BB guns.  To quote Emily, “Nothing says Texas like a two year old with a gun!” That very two year old will actually be three tomorrow.  Happy Birthday, Ellie!

Speaking of birthdays, Alvie and Ezzie celebrated their birthdays last week with a sports-themed party.  It’s nothing but celebrations at the Taylor house as Ashton will turn seven in two weeks.

What do a Ninja, a skunk and a penguin have in common?  Well, if you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you.

We are all praying for Sean’s dad, Terry Taylor, who has been hospitalized for several weeks now and continues to struggle.  We look forward to seeing him, and all the Taylors, at Thanksgiving and pray he is well enough to enjoy the holidays.

 

 

Clare is teaching art at Independence High School and Simi’s care is in the very capable hands of Grammy Sandrini and I.  We both agree that the monkey costume suits her. 

I hope everyone had a splendid Halloween!