Halloween Partay Part 1

Here are the photos from our recent family Halloween party on Friday!  We missed Brian and Shelly.  And Ty, I'm sorry I somehow didn't have any pictures of you.

It was a lot of fun!  Thanks everyone!

Hellboy and Cruella DeVil

Batgirl, an adorable Lion, Red Riding Hood, and a Nice Witch

Cowboys and Indians

Cowboys and... a Cow Boy. :)

I think it took the nieces and nephews a few minutes to warm up to their crazy aunt who didn't look like herself! But they did, and we had a great old time.

Reading Halloween books

Introducing a new Halloween party tradition:

Home-made Bingo cards

BINGO with Halloween M&M's

The after-party included a showing of Megamind and the ditching of the wigs.

Tate made my night by loving my Halloween decorations.

Cute, cuddling nephews

Thanks again to everyone for coming and dressing up and bringing food!

Special thanks to my dear man for being so agreeable to wear make-up for his costume.  I'm still kind of surprised I got him to do it.  But it looked freaking awesome.

Wednesday, Sorceress Day

I had a magical Wednesday this week. I think I'm going to make it an annual October event. 

My sister Allison teaches a darling 3rd-grade class and every week she tries to have a volunteer come read to them for 30 minutes before recess.  She asked me if I wanted to read to them on a day in October that hadn't been filled with a parent volunteer.  Uh, heck yeah?!?

So I dressed up as Samantha the Sorceress and brought Halloween candy in a pumpkin cauldron and read Halloween books to the class.  I'm telling you, it was grand. 

Those cute little kids sat wide-eyed on the floor in front of me while I gestured my spell-casting eyeball as a warning to behave.  Never have I ever had such a rapturous audience to reading some of my Mom's favorite Halloween books, including "The Runaway Pupmkin" and the "Ghost-Eye Tree".

At the end, though, they did come to the conclusion that I could not be a real witch because I did not wear gloves to conceal my claws (They had been reading Roald Dahl's The Witches.)

I felt just like a real witch, though.  It was so magic.

Walking through the halls afterward, I got stares and claps and exclamations of "Wow, cool costume!" from other classes. Some kids on their way to recess would ask me, "Are you a real witch?" or "Are you Miss Milne?" (my sister.)  I guess even with my witchy make-up on we look alike!

Autumn in Neff's Canyon

Neff's Canyon is, I think, one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done in the Fall. Clint thinks it's because of the wide variety of trees along the trail that all turn different colors at this time of year. It's true that you see a full spectrum of Autumn colors!

I was loving the backlighting and the glowing colors of the trees. Both great conditions for playing photographer! :)

my grandpa's final fight

It came to an end on Wednesday morning at 6 am.  It was only the morning after I learned from my Mom that he was even close to leaving us.  It was a bit more sudden than anyone expected.

During the past decade he struggled with health problems, including a stroke, heart health, and fluid in his lungs.  He also fought with the frustrations of dementia, and would frequently forget the names and situations of his children and extended family.

But after the funeral today, I learned a few more things about my Grandpa and who he really was.  His kids spoke about him as well as one of his dearest friends. It was extremely precious to hear about his life well-lived.

this is Halloween, this is Halloween...

I am SOOOOO excited for Halloween!!  I love this holiday.  I mean, it is really my favorite; probably more than Christmas. 

Clint has pointed out a few times that we have more Halloween decorations than Christmas decorations.  He said the other day, "So do you think you'll ever reach a point where you don't need to buy any more Halloween decorations because we won't have any places left for them?" 

Duh, no.  :)  There are always more places for Halloween decorations and crafts!

Eventually I want to institute a mini haunted corn maze in my front yard for trick-or-treaters!!  I know, right?  Brilliant!!

I think my love for Halloween is also based on a few other things:
1. my birthday month of October
2. the Autumn season and changing leaves
3. the magicalness of spooky things, like the full moon

Anyway, I couldn't resist doing a few Halloween crafts and wanted to share a few things with you.


Boo blocks

spook pumpkins

Halloween magnets

I cannot wait to see more Fall leaves and other haunted sites.  I will also host some Halloween parties and I will post pics of all the costumes!

My life during the past hour

Do you ever have days where you have a schedule that you're living by, and you've got just enough on your plate and starting to tackle it, when suddenly, somewhere in the cosmos a cord snaps and dumps a pile of extra stuff onto your shoulders that makes everything else seem that much harder?

Well. 

Speaking of today... I already have several extra events blinking on my radar this week. 

Launching new blog: I Write Therefore I Am

This is something I've been wanting to do for a very long time now. My own writing blog. It's officially launched, but it's in the beginning stages, so expect the look and design to be in a continual state of change for at least a while.

This "Clint and Sam" blog will still be open as my "family" blog, of course.

Check out my new blog if you have any interest in writing, want to keep up on my writing ventures, or if you want to tell me what you think I should write.

I Write Therefore I Am: Making time to write: Finally. My very own site for blogging, poetizing, drafting, book reviewing, and even some journaling. It's time to get started. First t...

Return to Sunset Peak

We might just have to make this hike a Fall-time yearly tradition.  Sunset Peak is fairly short, about a mile and a half or two to the top, but still decent exercise.  The biggest reason is that the colors up Big Cottonwood are beautiful!!  Too bad it was just a bit cold and overcast so we couldn't exactly see the sunset from the peak.  But still a good Fall adventure.

I love Autumn leaves!

Mom, Jen, Dad, Clint, and me

A shoetastic use for duck tape!

I've definitely been bitten by the craft bug lately. 

I have made a bunch of Halloween crafts, but one of my favorite projects lately has been converting old, scuffed heels that I don't wear anymore into a sassy new accessory that begs to be worn.   

So...

Q. How can you make an old pair of these

new and wearable again with a few rolls of these?

A. Just like this!

Yep, those are actually my shoes wrapped in none other than duck tape.

Sounds crazy, I know.  But I actually think they look awesome! 

Oh, and these are my personal favs:

What do you think?