Our Story (85 Percent): Halloween 2014

It is really feeling like Fall. It's actually cold, and it rained last night. Thankfully, it rained late last night which allowed time for all the trick or treaters to get their stash of candy.

My sister and her husband always go all out for Halloween. Their house becomes a haunted mansion complete with a graveyard and live actors and animation. Dylan is too old to trick or treat so he helps his uncle operate the haunted house on Halloween night. Every year, there are crowds in front of their house as everyone is mesmerized by the decorations and the special effects. It is very interactive even with theme music from Halloween playing. The house is so dark with just a bit of eerie red lighting. A live 10-foot Mr. Death guards the front door. He doesn't say a word, but his slight movement, gaze, and presence scares everyone. Dylan is inside the entry way dressed as some creature guarding the candy which rests in a pot. Do you dare to take one? Michael Myers stands outside the balcony with his face lit up by a green glowing light as the trick or treaters approach. And if you even dare to enter the house, Michael Myers follows you and stands at the top of the stairs watching and watching and watching....and maybe, he will follow you....

The floor is stained with bloody footprints. There are body parts and even a decapitated head hanging on hooks and chains. Bloody hand prints stain the windows. Rats, crows, and spiderwebs are all over the cemetery and a zombie like creature is seen crawling out of the ground. It is incredibly spooky, and sometimes a little too scary for young children.

Bloody footprints

the graveyard

Imagine this room darkened with just a red light....this is where Dylan stood hovering over the candy....and the music of Michael Myers filled the air

the cousins in front of my sister's house.

This year, Brandon was a white ghosts, and Mia dressed as a witch. I'm not sure what I was, but I was trying to be a wicked witch too. My costume was purchased at a thrift store for less than 5 dollars. We went with my sister and her friends through the neighborhood to trick or treat. I then returned to pass out candy at my house. We had many visitors. I love seeing the kids in their costumes. Buddy and Bella were surprisingly good. They didn't bark at the trick or treaters, and each time we had a trick or treater, they walked curiously up to the door. Lance was in a grouchy mood. He refused to take any photos, and he was not eager to hand out candy. All the kids stayed overnight at Yvette's house because following the trick or treating, they ended up having a Halloween party with pizza, bloody punch, chips, and yummy cupcakes. I love that Halloween was on a Friday this year. I fell asleep to the blissful sound of rain, and even though my evening was filled with horrific creatures, I slept soundly.

Until next year....and yes, Mr. Grouch apologized the morning after and said next year, he will be more in the Halloween spirit; otherwise, his costume should be Halloween's Mr. Scrooge.