We carved pumpkins on Friday and I should be posting those photos, but I was too excited to edit our Halloween shots so that's what I'm posting first...
Courtney Lee was a nurse.
Annie was Dorothy (and impossible to get pictures of).
And Coley was Harry Potter.
Courtney Lee's not really crying...that's just one of her many goofy faces.
And then there was trick-or-treating...
Beautiful pictures! Happy Halloween.
Warmly,
Bernie
Posted by: Bernice Colyandro | November 01, 2009 at 04:36 PM
Great pictures! Love all of their costumes! Coley made a great Harry Potter!!!
Posted by: Heather | November 01, 2009 at 04:38 PM
Awesome!!! I love all of the neat old houses, the tree lined streets, and of course the cute kids.
Posted by: Sara M | November 01, 2009 at 04:52 PM
STUNNING...JUST STUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNING!!!
Posted by: Dawn | November 01, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Awesome pics Karen! The kids had great costumes!
Posted by: Addie | November 01, 2009 at 05:46 PM
Great pictures!
Posted by: Melanie C. | November 01, 2009 at 05:47 PM
SUPERB.. smiled the whole time looking at them.. STILL SMILIN'!!
Posted by: Tammy Mellish | November 01, 2009 at 06:01 PM
I'm always so inspired by your pictures!! I wish my kids were younger and I had a second chance to capture those memories!
Posted by: Margaret | November 01, 2009 at 06:03 PM
aww what fun pictures!! They look so adorable..
Posted by: Grace P | November 01, 2009 at 06:03 PM
Wow! Awesome shots! Looks like y'all had such fun!
Posted by: Ann | November 01, 2009 at 06:04 PM
How fun! I think my favorite shot was #7 or #8 surrounded by the Fall leaves/colors (we don't really have much of a fall here in Texas!) I hope you enjoyed your week off of blogging! We all missed your posts :)
Posted by: Lori | November 01, 2009 at 06:35 PM
1- Your pictures are wonderful.
2- That neighborhood looks lovely.
3- Your kids are super cute.
Posted by: Jaimie | November 01, 2009 at 06:40 PM
The street you trick or treat on looks gorgeous with the foliage!!!! Perfect for picture taking!!!
LOVE IT!!
Posted by: Tina | November 01, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Your children are always adorable, your photos great and it only took 5 days off for you to return refreshed and BRIGHT as always.
Posted by: Judy Webb | November 01, 2009 at 06:43 PM
I love how no one raked the leaves, really frames the shots. What a beautiful neighborhood.
Posted by: Kimberly | November 01, 2009 at 06:49 PM
I LOVE EVERY PHOTO! BEAUTIFUL! I told my son that I wanted to take pictures like you do in my lifetime.
Posted by: Melanie | November 01, 2009 at 06:55 PM
These are so good! I wish I could get great trick-or-treat photos but my girls are always too excited to stand still for any amount of time. That, and it's dark about 15 minutes into it!
Posted by: Erin Sweeney | November 01, 2009 at 07:00 PM
What fantastic pictures. As always, your talent blows me away.
Posted by: Jennifer M. | November 01, 2009 at 07:01 PM
that was so UBBERLY cute I can't stand it. Love love love the pictures and love the fall of your Trick Or Treat Zone. B E A utiful.
Posted by: Ada | November 01, 2009 at 07:12 PM
What great pictures!! Love the neighborhood and the kids!
Posted by: Ann | November 01, 2009 at 07:17 PM
Love the pics! Your Dorothy sounds like my Raggedy Ann ... impossible to get her to sit still for 30 seconds for a picture, let alone one with the wig on. All too much fun nonetheless!
Posted by: Cate O'Malley | November 01, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Thank you Karen:
I just thought I would check, cause although you said you were taking time off, I hoped you would share a few Halloween pics. Love the costumes-well done! And the picture (#8) from behind the gang with the tree lined street is absolutely gorgeous-amazing!! Thank you for sharing! Hope all is well.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | November 01, 2009 at 07:24 PM
Stunning, simply stunning!
I tried so hard! I made a list, checked it twice and got my kids down for naps because they were both naughty and NOT nice....so, they slept until 4pm. Woke up starving, made pizza's, got dressed and gosh darnit, if it wasn't too dark to get amazing (I had great expectations) photo!
But then when I sat back and thought about it, no one on our street was home to even hand out candy until 5:30pm, so it would have been a bust regardless! we would have been roaming the street with no candy to be had!
Maybe next year! Thanks for the inspiration, you rock!
Posted by: juli | November 01, 2009 at 07:47 PM
looks like a magical halloween night little missy....i sure hope that the carving night included some melon baller memories ;) we did that on halloween before trick or treating and i thought of you!!! Hope your weekend was happy sweetie!
Posted by: tanyawebster | November 01, 2009 at 07:49 PM
Beautiful, the kids looks gorgeous and the autumn colours in your area are stunning.
Posted by: Susy | November 01, 2009 at 07:52 PM
The pictures are beautiful, Karen! The kids looked so cute in their costumes!
Posted by: Dina | November 01, 2009 at 08:27 PM
oh my gosh these are beautiful!
thanks once again for the inspiration.
Posted by: Mary Ann | November 01, 2009 at 08:34 PM
Cute costumes and the fall colors and homes are so quintessential small town America. Each picture looks like something from a storybook. I think my favorite is the one with the elderly man is handing out candy. Awesome!
Posted by: Amy | November 01, 2009 at 08:44 PM
What a gorgeous neighborhood, just like in the movies!
Posted by: Alicia | November 01, 2009 at 08:44 PM
Again, great photos!! I am seriously in love with pic #8, the 4 walking down the middle of the road. Gorgeous. And I am so jealous that your neighborhood looks like that. So inspiring.
Posted by: Michelle A | November 01, 2009 at 08:46 PM
Beautiful pics! The fall colors look so vibrant there...not so much here in TN. The kiddos look absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: tammygraves | November 01, 2009 at 08:53 PM
Oh my gosh!!! Coley Potter *gg* cracks me up!!! He's looking so cute and all potter-ish *lol* Awesome costumes!!! And as always, I love your photos! Can't wait to attend one of your workshops hopefully some time soon ;)
Posted by: Sandra | November 01, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Karen, A heartfelt "WELCOME BAAAAAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!" I missed you, your stories and of course, the fabulous pics!
Posted by: Sherri Rodgers | November 01, 2009 at 09:40 PM
These are the best Halloween pictures EVER!! Seriously. You're blessed with amazing talent ... and beautiful kids!
Posted by: Lindsay | November 01, 2009 at 09:43 PM
i was just staring at these stunning photos... thinking to myself... this neighborhood looks so familiar. did you go to valley view drive in medford? i grew up in one of those old homes. did you know that at one point the city of medford wanted to cut down all those gorgeous trees but there was a terrible uproar of all the people in that neighborhood that saved all those lovely trees from being cut down. one of my favorite parts of that beautiful street and sometimes i drive down that street just to go thru the "tunnel of trees," which is what i called it a long, long, time ago.
Posted by: libbi m. | November 01, 2009 at 10:47 PM
What a gorgeous place to trick or treat! The fall colors are wonderful.
Posted by: Michelle | November 01, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Welcome back from another Oregon blog stalker!! We have missed your pictures and your stories, but obviously we have all been checking to see if you are back! Awesome pictures and costumes! You are so talented! I wish I would have done a blog when my kids were younger-did they have them then?? (Not that I want random stalkers who are inspired by me-wow!) Thanks for all you do!!
Posted by: Kelly | November 01, 2009 at 11:19 PM
Beautiful BEAUTIFUL shots, Karen!
Oh, how I miss you and how I miss being in class with you!!!!!!!!
HUGE HUGS
Helena
Posted by: Helena | November 01, 2009 at 11:47 PM
I love the pictures! What lens were you shooting these with??
Posted by: Amber | November 02, 2009 at 12:08 AM
WELCOME BACK, I missed you! Love the costumes and the pictures are absolutely stunning! The colors, the sharpness of everything - beautiful!
Posted by: SusanC | November 02, 2009 at 04:57 AM
LOVE them! Great colors in these pics.
Posted by: scrappinseminole | November 02, 2009 at 05:01 AM
Awesome pictures......and Coley made a great harry potter! All the costumes were great. love the ruby slippers and the nurses costume is adorable.
Posted by: Susan | November 02, 2009 at 05:12 AM
So cute! I am in awe of the beauty of where you live :) TFS.
Posted by: Greer | November 02, 2009 at 05:29 AM
OMGosh...love them too cute...
Weird my three were
1. a Doctor = nurse
2. Private school girl (with plaid jumper) = Harry
3. Dororthy = Dorothy
Dorothy was popular 3 in Sami's Pre-K this year, and I thought she was being original!!
So cute as usual!
Posted by: Conni | November 02, 2009 at 05:45 AM
The tree lined road photo is awesome...love the colors! Wow, Coley makes a great Harry Potter and the girls look so cute!!!
Posted by: laura j | November 02, 2009 at 05:54 AM
Gorgeous photos and love the costumes! The scenery makes me want to move to Oregon.
Posted by: Beth P. | November 02, 2009 at 06:25 AM
Wow!! Absolute perfection!!!
Posted by: Debbie | November 02, 2009 at 06:42 AM
Gosh I thought I was looking through a magazine. I can see why you were excited to edit them. Wonderful! Thanks for sharing with us.
Posted by: janel | November 02, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Oh Karen these photos are precious!! I just LOVE them all!! Wish I could do that!
Posted by: Dawn | November 02, 2009 at 07:07 AM
All of your shots are great, but these photos with that amazing fall scenery are just amazing!
Posted by: Vera | November 02, 2009 at 07:08 AM
Gorgeous pictures! The kids are so cute!
Posted by: Kelli | November 02, 2009 at 07:19 AM
sooo glad you're back!! love the pics -- especially the facial expressions!!
Posted by: Tina Riddell | November 02, 2009 at 07:35 AM
They are so cute! What great photos!
Posted by: Helena | November 02, 2009 at 07:40 AM
A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E !!! Beautiful pictures (as always) - I stalk your blog and I've missed you :)
Posted by: Stephanie | November 02, 2009 at 07:48 AM
OMG Karen the setting you have for these pictures is AH-mazing!!!! WOW! Gorgeous!
Posted by: Jen P | November 02, 2009 at 08:01 AM
oh my goodness! you live in such a magical place. looks like a fairytale. beautiful images.
Posted by: Corissa | November 02, 2009 at 08:11 AM
you have the most beautful and picturesque street and homes in your neighborhood! as always...love your photos!!
Posted by: Amber | November 02, 2009 at 08:16 AM
Fantastic photos and great costumes! I especially like Coley's...he makes a perfect Harry Potter! :) And is your street perfect for photos or what?? I wish we had those autumn colors here in CA...I really do miss having seasons!
Posted by: Michelle (aka mybelle101) | November 02, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Awesome costumes & great shots like always.
Posted by: Denise | November 02, 2009 at 08:36 AM
those are some beautiful photos!!
Posted by: gina f. | November 02, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Awesome pics!Kids look so cute in their costumes! Mine weren't that great (pictures) but that's okay. We had a good time.
Posted by: Huyen | November 02, 2009 at 09:07 AM
thanks for sharing karen...(my all time fav blogger friend!) funny, my mom lived in jacksonville for years... those photos remind me of it... thanks for sharing, so glad you did.
Posted by: Danella | November 02, 2009 at 09:19 AM
wonderful photos and I love those costumes.
Posted by: Marie | November 02, 2009 at 09:23 AM
Love all of the outfits but I think Coley wins because he makes a very convincing Harry Potter!
Posted by: Helen Walsh | November 02, 2009 at 09:30 AM
I am jealous of all of the fall colors. I live in Florida and we do not get to have fall. Pictures are wonderful. I loved Coley as Harry Potter, and being a nurse made Courtney Lee look a little older. Annie as an awesome Dorothy. Thanks for sharing and I can not wait for Jan.. I am in that class.
Posted by: Kimberly Minyard | November 02, 2009 at 09:53 AM
You live in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods! (I'm sure you know this) The kind that brings you back to your roots of family, and love, and simplicity, and OMGoodness...trees, and homes, and I am happy for you!
Posted by: Tobi | November 02, 2009 at 09:56 AM
Glad it was a short break! The kids are adorable! Love the pics as always.
Posted by: Kelliann | November 02, 2009 at 10:05 AM
That little girl is IMPOSSIBLY cute....!
Posted by: Connie | November 02, 2009 at 10:07 AM
You are just amazing!! Those are gorgeous!!
Posted by: annie | November 02, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Oh, I'm so glad I checked your blog today! Wow, such wonderful pictures!! What a gorgeous setting for trick-or-treating. I love, love, LOVE the trees and that awesome wood door! Cute kids too, of course. I'm interested in how you handle letting the kids eat their candy. You always have such great ideas - can you share?
Posted by: Kim P | November 02, 2009 at 10:47 AM
OMG I LOVE these - they are absolutely beautiful and the kids are SO DARN CUTE and ADORABLE that it's not even funny! I love the "Autumn Color" shot of Josh and the kiddos walking down the street - that is just GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing, Karen! Can't wait to see your pumpkin shots! :o)
Posted by: Tracy | November 02, 2009 at 10:49 AM
Thank you for taking the time to post these. Love them all. :)
Posted by: Sally Davidson | November 02, 2009 at 11:14 AM
I really get so inspired by reading your blog and admiring your photos. What a beautiful place you live - those colors on the trees are to die for!!! Thanks as always for sharing!
Posted by: allison Gottlieb | November 02, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Your kids are adorable, kind of fun that I also had a Harry Potter and a Dorothy this year, but I wish I would have had you to take their pictures!
Posted by: Nancy | November 02, 2009 at 12:29 PM
YEA!!! You came back!! Great pictures!! Coley is a perfect Harry Potter!! So cute, looked like the perfect Halloween!!
Posted by: April | November 02, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Can I move into your neighborhood?! Really beautiful surroundings. Your pictures are so wonderful. It looks like a photo shoot from Martha Stewart's Living magazine. Your children will really appreciate them when they become adults.
Blessings, Tracy
Posted by: Tracy | November 02, 2009 at 01:12 PM
LOVE your pictures. Your kids are so darn cute! ;-)
Posted by: Tya | November 02, 2009 at 01:31 PM
welcome back..seriously..amazing beautiful photos and one of my vey favorite blogs, I know I have said it a million times, but it is!!!
Posted by: steph | November 02, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Wow, wow, wow. What great shots and what fabulous color and the richness of it all. Wow.
Posted by: Val | November 02, 2009 at 01:49 PM
i LOVE each and every one of your pictures!!!! Your children are adorable! Annie reminds me so much of when I was little! I can't wait for my mom to get here so I can show her...because I think that is exactly what I looked like!
Posted by: Nicole Ellison | November 02, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Idyllic neighborhood....not to mention the kids...they look pretty idyllic too! (or is that the magic of photoshop?) ha.
Posted by: kat-in-texas | November 02, 2009 at 02:39 PM
Karen those photos are fantastic!
Posted by: Paola Norman | November 02, 2009 at 03:22 PM
Awh I love the photos Karen.. the autumn colored trees were breathtaking!!
Posted by: teresa b | November 02, 2009 at 04:08 PM
A picture perfect Halloween...you're my hero!! Looks like the kids had a fun time trick or treating...great costumes.
Posted by: Tracy | November 02, 2009 at 05:13 PM
GEORGEOUS. The colors are so great, need to tricker treat when its light!!! Love them karen.
Posted by: Cindy Welch | November 02, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Wow!!! Absolutely beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing. Although, I'm jealous... we have no fall leaves here in FL and it was in the 80's so trick or treating just wasn't what it should be.
Posted by: Laura Mood | November 02, 2009 at 05:36 PM
OK.....got my "Karen's fabulous photos" fix. Thank you VERY much. What cool looking houses they got to trick or treat at and their costumes all look GREAT!
Posted by: Tonia Borrosch | November 02, 2009 at 06:33 PM
Welcome back...missed you.
Posted by: Alison | November 02, 2009 at 06:58 PM
All of the shots are perfect. Such great captions and the area looks beautiful. I have to stay it though, Coley makes an AMAZING and perfect Harry Potter.
Posted by: D'Nese | November 02, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Oh wonderful pictures, great tree lined street....
laura P
Southern OR
Posted by: Laura Plunk | November 02, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Your kids are such hams! Your photos are awesome!
Posted by: Kim L. | November 02, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Beautiful kids and pics. Love the way you have edited them :o)
Posted by: Ann Hedvig | November 03, 2009 at 01:25 AM
The pictures of Annie are just amazing. We went trick or treating at 5:30pm, so that I could have "good" light for taking pictures. Everyone on our street was home, but wrangling a 3yo & a 5 you for pictures is just hard to do sometimes.
Posted by: Rachel | November 03, 2009 at 04:51 AM
These are awesome!
Posted by: Rhonda M | November 03, 2009 at 07:59 AM
The kids in their costumes are so stinkin' CUTE!!! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful photos!
Posted by: katemeri | November 03, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Absolutely stunning photos as usual! I'll have to think about taking the kids to a different neighborhood for wonderful backdrops.
Posted by: lan | November 03, 2009 at 02:23 PM
WOW. Again I think if I had your adorable funny kids, that beautiful tree-lined street (way to go, Josh Downs), and um, your photo skills, my own pictures would be a lot prettier. :D Seriously though, you're a genius for taking them out before dark.
Posted by: Cyndi | November 03, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Can we come trick-or-treat with you next year?? ;-) AWESOME neighborhood! Josh gets some brownie points for picking this one out!! GORGEOUS colors and beautiful images, as always!
Posted by: Shari Barnes | November 03, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Love your photos!! These are all just delightful!
Posted by: Janna | November 04, 2009 at 07:14 AM
awesome, awesome, awesome!!!!!
Great pics...and so glad you're posting again! :)
Coley makes a FABULOUS Harry Potter!
Posted by: Kristy Klaassen | November 04, 2009 at 08:24 AM