It rained (hard) all day long yesterday and the forecast predicted a 75% chance of rain all evening, yet somehow, just as we started to walk out the door to go trick-or-treating, the clouds broke and the sun peeked out and there wasn't a drop of rain the rest of the night...
Yans was a 50's girl.
In fact, she wore the same costume that Courtney Lee wore on Halloween when she was six. (And some of you may remember that Annie wore those cat-eye glasses of Courtney's non-stop for about six months until sadly, she lost them. A few shots of those here, here, here, here, here and here. Thankfully, I found a replacement on Ebay a few weeks ago.)
Courtney Lee was a rock-star.
And Coley was some Link from Zelda (but much to his dismay, everyone thought he was an elf, or a leprechaun, or Robin Hood.)
Within minutes of getting out of the truck, Josh Downs had began chucking acorns at all of us. (This continued throughout the evening and resulted in tears on two occasions and brown stains on the backs of everyone's clothing.)
We went to the same neighborhood we always go to. (Josh found it a few years back and we've been going there ever since because I'm in love with the tall trees and the old houses and because usually, we're some of the only trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood.)
I totally staged that last shot. (And I made them walk up and down the alley twice to make sure I nailed it.)
They kids knock on the door of that house every single year and not once has anyone answered.
Still throwing acorns.
That was an acorn to the back of Courtney Lee's head (and instead of consoling her, he stole her candy.)
That was Courtney Lee going to reclaim her candy.
That's her dad running away with her candy.
And that's Cole giving Josh Downs a taste of his own acorns.
Next, he resorted to apples.
Hope yours was great. (And here's a few links to our Halloween pasts; 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.)
as always gorgeous pics! my favorite is of annie sitting on the curb. i had a heck of time taking pics last night, but not much available light either. oh well at least i have some!!
Posted by: mindy | November 01, 2012 at 01:04 PM
Your pictures are magic! You are amazing!
Posted by: Annie | November 01, 2012 at 01:36 PM
I love, love, love all the shots! My fav is Yans sitting on the curb!! Awesome!
Posted by: Addie | November 01, 2012 at 02:30 PM
Karen!! As gorgeous as your kids are and the photos are, we need to see the cripple lady sometime!! Let the kids photograph you. Even Josh Downs' effort pass. I need to see that infectious smile and twinkling eyes. Miss you. I too love Annie on the curb. Looks like she is eating a Tootsie Roll. I bought candy that I like....so Tootsie Rolls were in the mix. LOL Love You
Posted by: Judy Webb | November 01, 2012 at 03:18 PM
lovely as always karen !!
Posted by: nicole prather | November 01, 2012 at 04:04 PM
These shots are all sorts of enjoyable!!!!!
Posted by: Jules | November 01, 2012 at 04:07 PM
Love the 2nd to the last photo, it looks like it could be part of a Hallmark commerical!!
Posted by: Mary Ann Jenkins | November 01, 2012 at 04:35 PM
Lovely lovely lovely!
Especially the one of Annie sitting on the curb!
I would know Link anywhere! I love their costumes! Did you make them?
Josh deserves a nut to the head!
Posted by: Kelli | November 01, 2012 at 05:11 PM
Oh.my.goodness.gracious! Your photos are dee-vine! I love the house you said never answers the door...so pretty...swoon. I never thought of trick-or-treating before dark. Makes for much better pics!
Posted by: Christy | November 01, 2012 at 05:13 PM
The kids are adorable! What a great neighborhood as a setting for the photos - so much fun!
Posted by: sharon | November 01, 2012 at 09:28 PM
Love all of these! Your pics are amazing and the kids adorable! I alternately think each one of them is the cutest!
Posted by: Kellie | November 02, 2012 at 03:15 AM
Oh you got such great pictures!! I love the close up one of your younger daughter w/her bucket. So cute!!
Posted by: Krystyn | November 02, 2012 at 05:45 AM
I do believe these are some of my favorites of yours...the Halloween pics always are. Wishing from here that I could NOT let them grow up any more.....keeping this stage for a bit longer....but your photos have it frozen in time so all is good. Of course, even after the "littles" are grown, you will still have a "funster" in the house with you. Thanks for sharing your life .. a true treat. And, btw....Click is wonderful and your feature is just the best! Hugs!
Posted by: janel | November 02, 2012 at 06:36 AM
I had to laugh at your comment about Cole being called an elf or Peter Pan. My son was Link, too, and went to great pains to try to look as "authentic" as he could...only to be asked if he was an elf or Peter Pan! I called him Buddy a few times just to gig him!
Posted by: Holly | November 02, 2012 at 08:33 AM
Thank you for posting! Your blog continues to be one of my favorites! Love the shot of Annie sitting on the curb.
Posted by: Lori | November 02, 2012 at 08:41 AM
In Cole's defense....leprechauns, elves, and Peter Pan do not carry a sword!! ;) as an older sister to a boy that LOVED Zelda (all the games, posters, t-shirts, etc)- I totally recognized him as Link!! ;)
Posted by: Sarah | November 02, 2012 at 09:03 AM
Oh how I love your pictures!!
Posted by: Gina | November 02, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Those are hilarious! Josh is a punk. :)
Posted by: Karen | November 02, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Haha! I knew I recognized you all! We saw you all, in fact we passed right by you and I am proud to say that we recognized Link! :) We just moved into that neighborhood about a year ago. I LOVE it... and you are right it is quaint and very low key on Halloween. We love it too. Your pictures turned out fantastic.
Posted by: Lindsey | November 02, 2012 at 02:00 PM
Annie sitting on the curb is AMAZING. Another favorite is the second to last but they are all wonderful.
Posted by: Monica McNeill | November 02, 2012 at 02:35 PM
I think you need to take my family trick or treating so they can have fun & so I can have the AMAZING photos!! You are such an inspiration!!
Posted by: Debbi G. | November 02, 2012 at 03:12 PM
Beautiful photos!
Posted by: Valerie | November 02, 2012 at 03:54 PM
I had to laugh at the comments about Link. My son was Link when he was about 10. He was so proud of the costume and yet of all the houses we went to only one person recognized him as Link. He got all the same comments (and was crushed). It's been a running joke at our house since! Your pictures are awesome, especially as it got darker. I love the mood you captured.
Posted by: Kathy | November 02, 2012 at 05:47 PM
Karen, these are Fabulous!! Courtney, you are the coolest looking Punk Rocker! Annie, you are the cutest little 50's girl ever! Cole you are an Awesome Link!! And Josh...love the bucket head costume! :)
Posted by: ♥Debbie | November 02, 2012 at 06:57 PM
I could look at your pictures forever! I sadly didn't get great pictures :( I wish there was a like button along with your pictures, but then again, I would have hit like to all of them. Does your area allow trick or treating in random neighborhoods before the "official" trick or treat time? Our town has a certain time you are allowed to start going door to door...... = bad light!
Posted by: MISTY | November 05, 2012 at 11:01 AM
Karen...Patti from class here...how did you do that shot right near the bottom of Annie...was it a fish eye?? She is sitting on the curb...
Posted by: patti | November 07, 2012 at 05:20 PM
Tell Cole I knew who he was even before I read it. My dad played Zelda years ago. Love the scenery. Here in Texas we rarely have a good Fall. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures & family.
Posted by: Beth S. | November 08, 2012 at 06:35 AM
Complete gorgeousness!! And if anyone needs any additional persuasion purchasing your Low Light Making the Shot guide...they need to look no further than the last handful of shots on this post. Amazing images Karen! xoxox
Posted by: Valerie | November 10, 2012 at 09:20 AM
Karen, I know I am a bit late to comment but I really wanted to tell you how much I adore your Halloween photos. Every year I look forward to seeing them. They are my favourite! I learn so much from them. Thank you for posting. xx
Posted by: Sue | November 10, 2012 at 02:14 PM
I was going to say something about those glasses, like "You found them!"
Posted by: Ann Grounds | November 20, 2012 at 10:41 PM
Tell Cole I knew he was Zelda in the Wrestling pictures...
Dianne
Posted by: Dianne Nelson | November 29, 2012 at 07:08 PM
you toggling crazy fool!!!! I always always love your Halloween photos. And never love mine. The neighborhood-genius. The shots, crazy good. The colors-sick. And then there's "a taste of his own acorn"....that ones gonna stick with me. I think this is one of the hardest holidays (duh its at night) but also they are so anxious, fast and its just HARD to capture. But you did my friend & I love it.
And in case your wondering why I am only now commenting-no internet for 5 weeks. 5 hard weeks.
Hope to see you in 2013! I SO need your house arranging wonderfulness, just moved and nothing NOT. A. THING. works, but Im so grateful.
Blessings-Ada
Posted by: Ada | December 02, 2012 at 04:41 PM
Karen, I've been looking through your blog just to get "acquainted" before our class begins in January. You look to be having so much fun. I also have to say that I recognize the street where your kids trick or treat. It's my favorite street for the same reasons that you mention. I'm sorry that the kids don't get any treats at the big Tudor on the corner. I have to admit that I know that house intimately, but had to take a second look to make sure that I was seeing things correctly. I'm sure that if my aunt and uncle were still alive and living there the kids would not be disappointed.
Posted by: Julie Bonney | December 13, 2012 at 08:33 PM