Halloween: Do You Dress Up?

That may seem like a silly question, but many offices (including mine) allow employees to dress up for Halloween. Our company even has a competition between departments to see who has the best costume. There are individual winners, as well as department winners. 

Last year my co-workers and I went as the cast of Duck Dynasty, an easy costume for me since I'm married to an avid hunter. I can't tell you what our theme is this year; I'm not sure how much of a secret it is (or if any of my co-workers even read this) but to be on the safe side, I'll keep it under wraps for now. (And no, that's not a hint!) 

But as I plan my costume for Friday, it got me thinking. Does anyone else dress up for Halloween? I've always loved dressing up. I've been a bride (as a little girl), Rainbow Brite, Jane from Daria (that was an epic year), Wednesday Addams (one of my favorite costumes ever, see below) Dorothy (and my boyfriend was the scarecrow), Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany's (another favorite) and I've even done the "sexy" costumes in college (sorry Mom and Dad! they weren't too bad, I promise). One year I was super lazy and just bought a pair of fangs that attached to my incisors and went as a vampire. 

I'm still not sure what I'm going to go as this year...I have a couple of ideas. But I'd love to know: do you dress up? If so, what was your favorite costume? And what are you going to be this year? 

It Begins.

I am definitely the top person. It amazes me when it is 90 degrees outside and Christmas decorations and paraphernalia start appearing in stores. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. Christmas music, Christmas decorations, Christmas cookies. I love all of it! 

I just don't love it before Thanksgiving. And I really don't love it before Halloween. And I really despise it before fall has even officially begun. (I think Hobby Lobby might be the worst at this.) 

So can we all keep Christmas off the shelves for another month? Or at least a couple weeks until we've made it past Halloween? After that, I'll play all the Christmas music I can!

How do you feel about Christmas decorations? Are you an "it begins" or "Santa's coming" kinda person?  

Fourth of July Family Time

Last week James and I headed down to Ada to spend a couple nights with my parents for the holiday weekend. They hosted a BBQ for family on Friday morning, and I took the opportunity to break out my camera to do some homework for my photography class I'm taking. Since I forgot to ask most of my family if it was ok to share their photo, I can't share some of my favorites on here. But here are a few I snapped! 

My dad manned the grill as he always does. The burgers were particularly awesome this year because my parents purchased the meat from a local butcher. 

And I can't help but share this picture of my parents' cat. We don't know how old she is - she showed up in their front yard 15 or so years ago. We don't know how old she was, possibly not fully grown but definitely old enough to have kittens because she gave birth to 5 of them not long after arriving at our house! She's outlived all her kittens though, and she's definitely starting to slow down now. But she is the sweetest cat. 

There were a couple of dessert options, but this peach cobbler was the most popular. I may be considered a heretic for saying this, but I'm not really a cobbler gal. My husband, however, loved it! 

Of course, everyone agreed the cobbler was even better with ice scream! My mom scooped it out for everyone. 

My grandpa seemed to have a good time too! We had family from both my mom and dad's sides; that's how most of our family events end up. I love having everyone together, though it's getting harder as the years go by and people get married and have babies! 

The extended family left after lunch, and later that night my parents, James, and I watched Independence Day, set off fireworks, and ate yummy steaks! It was a great holiday weekend. I'm glad the family was able to get together for it this year :)