This Is Halloween

My agreement with the kids is: you wear what I tell you to for trunk or treat, then you can wear whatever you want for Halloween. So far they've all cooperated quite nicely. Wonder how long the family costume tradition will hold out!

Catherine changed her mind about her costume several times before settling on Ariel the day before Halloween. We didn't quite have enough red hair spray, so Ariel has some pink highlights.

Apparently this is "the mermaid pose."

Beautiful Ariel

My Mom sent Elise an adorable "My 1st Halloween" outfit.

The candy corn pants were my favorite part. Or maybe the bow.

Finally, Darth Sidious/Emperor Palpatine

Pretty proud of that makeup job.

He said everyone thought he was Voldemort.

And, since he could care less about his costume, Aaron as David Bowie (with no makeup):

Ready to go trick or treating!

Please notice the mermaid pose happening again

As has become tradition, we spent the evening with the Knoxes.

Link and the Evil Emporer ready to head out

Aaron and his squad of admirers, who happily took him around the neighborhood.

He adores Kaia, Bekah & Emma, despite his face here.

The group, ready to head out.

Jon & Catherine had already gone off together.

Elise & I were left to distribute candy:

"What? I'm totally not going to eat this!"

"CHOMP!"

It wasn't long before she discovered the candy bowl:

This girl is no fool:

Post trick-or-treating chaos:

Was Halloween worth all the crazy, you ask?

This year's parent tax says, "YES":

We Will, We Will Rock You

The day after the couples party was the ward trunk or treat. Actually it wasn't even our ward. Our ward moved theirs to a Wednesday night. Jon was out of town and I was not up for that kind of crazy on a school night. So we crashed our old ward's party instead.

In a stroke of genius, I got my kids in full costume the weekend before and took pictures. Totally cut down on the crazy the day of the trunk or treat. 

And so, I present our rockin' costumes for 2016, beginning here with Neil Diamond:

Jon was raised on Neil Diamond and does a pretty good impression.

I told him everyone would think he was Elvis. 

Please note the hairy chest.

Also, I will never, ever sew with sequin fabric again. 

Next: Cher: 

I don't actually like Cher. And I only know 2 1/2 of her songs. But she's iconic and easy to find a costume for. I did try to find brown contacts, but apparently they don't exist. I blame the Asian monopoly on cosplay. 

Thank you, YouTube makeup tutorials for this glorious mess

The hideous pants really make the costume, I think.

Next, John Lennon as Sargent Pepper: 

Seth knows a few Beatles songs, but was mostly excited to be "the one who got shot." Also, when a friend recognized the outfit and asked if he was Sargent Pepper, he said, "No! I'm John Lennon!" Clearly we didn't work on the details hard enough.

I'm ridiculously proud of this costume. All my seamstress friends moved away, so I had to do everything myself. It turned out so well!

Fourth, Madonna: 

I taught her how to do 'vogue' and said "If anyone asks who you are, just do that."

Someone is very into doing her own poses lately.

Cracks me up.

I totally bought a crimper off eBay just for this costume

Fifth (and my personal favorite), David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust: 

Aaron was uncharacteristically cooperative for his makeup and hair.

I'm still in shock.

The many faces of Ziggy:

Goofball Ziggy

Pouty Ziggy

Indifferent Ziggy

And, finally, Ginger Spice: 

With the red hair, it just had to happen.

John & Ginger

Super photogenic children

All the rockstars at the trunk or treat

Let it stand as a testament to my love for my children that I granted them the Ziggy Stardust and Ginger Spice costumes, both of which I really wanted for myself. The sacrifices we mothers make!

Not going to our own ward was a little weird. We knew a lot of people there, but there were enough who were knew that we kind of felt out of place. And overdressed. Hopefully next year works out better for our own ward!

Also, I realized I should quit making fun of moms who overdo holidays like St. Patrick's Day. I can overdo holidays with the best of them! 

Catherine begged to wear my wig.

She loves the idea of long hair, but we would both hate the reality!