Who Needs Halloween?

As I was combing through boxes of old photos last night, I came to a realization (actually, a few realizations.)  

1.  I don't think my family was much for Halloween when I was little.
2.  I have gotten ooooollllldddd.

3.  Apparently, I have ridden an elephant.  How do you not remember riding a full sized elephant???

4.  Years 1 and 2 of my life were a really unfortunate phase for my noggin.  I had a HUGE head, and not much hair.  At first I was a little dismayed that there are more pictures of my sister (who was 2 at the time) than there are of me as infant.  However, that feeling quickly morphed into gratitude, as I realized that my parents were sparing me the lifelong memories of my first REALLY awkward stage.

Though I didn't find photographic evidence, I do remember trick or treating with my cousins at least once.  It was sixth or seventh grade, and I was a cow. Let's rephrase - I was dressed as a cow.  I distinctly remember attaching black felt spots to white sweats, and painstakingly painting my entire face and head (I had a bald cap on) white with black spots.  That picture apparently resides at my parents house, which is truly a shame.  But let me show you what I did find....

Not Halloween:

Also not Halloween:

Not Halloween here either:

Finally, Halloween:

And not just Halloween, but one of the worst Halloween memories I have on record.  I was going to a party being thrown by the cousin of my boyfriend at the time.  Being the naive 22 year old that I was, I wore this little get up with a black long sleeved shirt, black pants, and a tail.  (I made that collar myself, and I was terribly proud.)  I was by far the most modestly dressed female at the party, but that wasn't the problem.  A very drunk family member (who I was meeting for the first time) introduced himself by way of a VERY inappropriate comment about my costume, and it's relation to my boyfriend, within 5 minutes of our arrival.  I was mortified.  As was my boyfriend.  Though we dated off and on for 5 years, I never got over the awkwardness with the family member in question.  Good times.

I have to concur with Amelia.  Who needs Halloween as an excuse to dress up?  I'll take random costuming and less scary movie commercials any day of the week. 

Mary