Halloween 2009 - Trunk or Treat

When I first moved into Placerville Ward, the ward used to have a huge Halloween Party with a haunted house, carnival games, and a costume parade. I think Sis. Perry was still dressing up as a witch or at least I heard stories about her doing so. Like I said, the party was a huge deal. Then a family moved in and questioned why we were making such a big deal about such holiday. Then it was turned into a Harvest Festival. That lasted a couple of years until it was down to nothing at the church. We went along fine like that for a few years.

One year when my boys were small and Moore's still lived in town, Halloween landed on a Sunday. Since we didn't want to take the kids trick or treating on Sunday, a few families decided to meet at the lower parking lot at the church so the kids could trunk or treat. I remember Debby G. brought hot chocolate. After the kids got their candy and ran around the parking lot while the adults visited, we all left and went back home. It was the best Halloween my kids had had since they were born. Prior to that year, we drove them to a couple friends' homes, but there was really no trick or treating in town.

The next year we decided to meet again for a trunk or treat. A few more families participated. Same deal...simple, quick and fun. Soon the ward started participating but it was still manageable. The ward added hot dogs and chili, still all in the parking lot, no mess in the church. The years have gone by and every year a little something been added. This really intensified when we started combining with the other wards, until finally it happened this year...we came full circle. Carnival, dinner, graveyard, along with a huge trunk or treat. I am not complaining but it made me laugh. As I walked through it, all I thought of was the poor activity committee members who were killing themselves to create all this. Does the stress and effort increase the fun? I don't think so...I still remember the first night in the parking lot with friends and hot chocolate. My all time favorite Halloween.

With all that said, I did take some fun pictures from this year's event.

Ana as a bride with really bad hair :)

Mary as a really friendly looking witch.

These costumes were my favorite. You can barely see them in this picture but they were neon stick figures. Very clever. They were dancing out in the parking lot. So cute.

Dan and Jenna in Placerville

Dan and Jenna came to visit this morning to say goodbye before he starts Navy boot camp. We had a nice visit and I enjoyed spending time with them and the puppies. It is such an exciting time for them and they have a good plan. I am very proud of them.

We touched on a lot of things that I wanted to document - the things I admire about Dan...he is kind hearted; he is hardworking; he is polite; he is devoted; he loves his family especially his grandma; and he picked a great wife!

Okay..totally bummed that I lost the pictures I took today of them.

Gwyne in Placerville

Gwyne came to visit on her way to Kwajelean. She visited for a few days. I was in training for the whole time but managed to visit after work. In and Out burger is our favorite fast food.

I think mom looks the vest here out of the three of us. Before leaving Colorado, Gwyne visited with Mariko and Tadashi. After Colorado, she went to Oregon to visit friends and then on to Seattle to visit Miranda and Amanda. Then down to see us. Last stop was Los Angeles for her high school reunion that she organized. She is very social and full of energy. Two of the many things that I admire about her.

Saturday in San Francisco

Cindy was in San Francisco for the weekend while Roger attended a Masonic conference. She only needed to attend his installation on Sunday so I went to spend Saturday with her. We went to Macy's and one of their very agressive cosmetic counter people talked us into doing our faces. I discovered again that I can't wear glasses with mascara but they used a really great eyeliner so it was fun. I know that anyone who has short lashes will probably think I am insane for complaining but my lashes are too long for mascara with glasses because they hit up against the glasses. It is uncomfortable. I didn't buy anything. We also had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory on the 8th floor of the Macy's building. Yum. We shared a Chinese Chicken Salad, Pepperoni pizza and Key Lime cheesecake.

Then we went to The Embarcadero where they were having an Arts and Crafts show. The day was beautiful and we found a really cool booth of jewelry made out of sea glass from England. http://www.katiecarrin.com/ Cindy bought a couple of pieces. We stopped by Ghiradeli Square to pick up some chocolate.

We ended the day with a short stroll through Chinatown where Cindy and Roger are staying. I got some Almond Cookies to bring home.

It was a great day spent with a great friend :)