The scary season came in like a lamb and went out like a…lamb. It all began on Monday, October 19, 2009, when my cousin Chris and his lovely wife Sarah gave birth to their new baby – yes, the one that I watched take shape as we wove our way through Italy just five months earlier. Actually Sarah did all of the work after Chris’ initial contribution. Nevertheless, their young, adorable Olivia – who shall henceforth be referred to as Livi by most – came into the world on that particular day, weighing all of 7 lbs. 13 oz., measuring 20″ in length. This officially kicked off the Halloween season. Livi came dressed as a baby.
That following Saturday, October 24, Mom had her mammoth Halloween party. I may talk trash about my Mommy on occasion, but that lady sure knows how to throw a great party. The garage and house were adorned with decorations, and there were tons of great eats that included chili, saurkraut & sausage, metts, brats, tons of desserts and side dishes, and most importantly hot dogs.
Adam mounts the hayride tractor as he waits for the party to begin
Overview of the decorated garage
This was the first time I saw Megan’s teeth
Diana and Tori. This is not Diana’s actual hair.
Adam’s gloves were present only for warming purposes, although this could have been some sort of bizarre costume
Jan, Jim, and Grandpa enjoy the festive Fall finger food
Stephen and Ashleigh came as the lip-ringed stoner and the duckface
There was a huge turnout of guests, including folks from Mom’s work, neighbors, and much of our family including Grandpa Murphy, Diana & Tom, Debby & Mike and Little Brad and Tori, Mom & Bob, me, Denise & Aaron and Adam and Megan, Ashleigh & Stephen, Bev & Ed, Susan & Charles and Charley and Sammy, Jim & Jan, Darlene and Zac and Jake. Also of special note was a former workmate of mine – one Bruce Brandt, who retired from IBM a couple of years ago. I worked with him quite often in Krogerland and it was nice to see him. He is married to one of my Mom’s co-workers, which is why he ended up there. I certainly didn’t invite him.
With my pal Bruce
There were plenty of activities to partake in that evening including pumpkin decorating, a great campfire, cornhole, eating and socializing (naturally),toilet plunging with Matt, and to really class up the party, Bob operated our own private hayride. I took two rides on that. Denise and I partnered up for cornhole with mixed results. We were demolished by Mom & Diana, the by Mom & Darlene, but we kicked the pants off of Ashleigh and Stephen.
Adam, Denise, and I get cozy on the hayride
More hayride hooligans
The campfire girls
Mom and I square off at cornhole. How embarrassing to have been beaten so badly.
There were scant costumes worn but the few that were worn were swell. Of particular note were Jake and Zac, who came sporting blonde mullets, handing out my senior picture and introducing themselves as me. True smartasses – but guys after my own heart.
Ugh. With the 1990′s Brads and the real deal
Diana as Dolly Parton…or Shirley Temple…or some twisted amalgam of the two
Jacob as Brad and Darlene as a Geisha. Jim first thought that Darlene was supposed to be Grandma Murphy and was going to complete the costume by throwing me down the stairs
It was certainly a great party. Many kudos to Mom and Bob for their efforts.
Mom takes a break for a beer and a hot dog. At least that’s what I hope she’s doing.
The week passed without much fanfare before we got to Halloween. My cable box went out so I had to have it replaced on Tuesday the 27th. On my way to work that day, I stopped in at the Fresh Fare store in Kettering, and was pleased to see most of the employees – including my good friend Jamie – in costume.
Jamie as Rock Star Barbie, and me as an uptight businessman with a name tag
The only other excitement came as the black and white episodes of The Andy Griffith Show I had been watching gave way to the color episodes.
As for Halloween itself, it came on Saturday, October 31. This year I went over to Heidi’s place in my old neighborhood to go out trick or treating with her girls. Madeline was a monkey, Jayne was a dinosaur, and Lola was Sparkle Girl. Lola had tried on a cape and goggles while playing at her babysitter’s house and was told she looked like Batman with the cape. This convinced her that her costume was in fact Batman. After she was set straight – that she looked nothing like Batman – she came up with Sparkle Girl.
Lola, Jayne, and Madeline
Heidi joins Sparkle Girl’s merry band of scavengers
Their mode of transportation, the Sparkle-mobile
I hadn’t trick-or-treated in my old neighborhood in twenty years so it was a nice trip down memory lane - and of course always fun to hang out with Heidi and the girls, even if I did have to assist in pulling the wagon. I was repaid in candy. We even stopped at my boss Sue’s house (who was a neighbor even when I lived there) to get the goods.
Some sucker hauls the crew to the top of Winterset Drive
So that was the excitement of Halloween ’09 in my realm. I didn’t watch the traditional It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown that night as I usally do, but caught it a week later for the sake of tradition.
And finally, of note, although I didn’t see them in person, there were some other cute costumes being donned in other parts of the state – as illustrated below.
Ashleigh dyed her hair red so that she could dress as Strawberry Shortcake
Denise with Adam and Megan, getting ready for some Trick 0r Treat action
The Little Stinker
Pirate and Skunk – out for treats
Sorting through the loot, Adam gets irritated by Megan’s lack of respect for Adam’s property
2009 will continue…
Major points to Jake and Zac for being 1990′s Brad – that’s hysterical!
Peter
November 17th, 2009