Arrr!!! Halloween 2013
Going to my hometown in Iowa for Halloween has turned in to an accidental tradition – we happened to be there in 2010, and decided to go out to the bars with my siblings and mom. We had so much fun that we went back in 2011 and 2012 in themed group costumes, and did the same this past weekend. It’s so fun to dress up as a theme with a group – we really get a kick out of the response from other bar goers.
This year was a bit different.
But first! Our theme!
Arrr! Pirates!
Wench #3, Deck Boy, Captain Todd, Wench #1, Wench #2 and First Mate/Billy Gay Cyrus
Okay, okay. I have to admit, I was inspired:
I SUCK at coming up with costume ideas. Just plain suck. And we start thinking about it really early in the year. Steven and I always hope to do something culturally relevant/current, and it never works out, hence “Mariachi” band in 2011, gorilla and bananas in 2012, and pirates in 2013. If we can’t be culturally current, we can be fun, right?
Luckily, Christina and Will were able to make it this year! We missed them in 2012. And Christina is super crafty, so, huge bonus to have her in our group! Hee hee. Christina and I went through a few iterations of costume ideas (with her doing most all of the research), and when we decided we didn’t have enough time/energy to make something… we went with the next best thing. Store bought. Ha ha.
Christina did most all of the hard work, collecting things at Goodwill and various other places. I ordered a parrot. And somehow, was lucky enough to have Bobbi gift me a BUNCH of new pirate stuff! I love her.
I wasn’t sure how it would all come together, but had COMPLETE trust in Christina. We all just left it to her to style us, and she did a great job. I was really excited with how the costumes turned out!
And let’s not forget that my brothers came out in costume too…
Gah, they crack me up. Here’s the whole group, including Amber (Fresh Step’s wife), our WIT (Wench In Training) and my grandma (who stayed home in case anyone needed to be bailed):
Alright. Enough freakin’ intro. So why was this year so different? Well, in the past, we’ve left the house around 8:30 pm, and we go to several bars and enjoy seeing everyone in costume (and they’re usually out that early!). That is a lot of the fun of going out – people watching! I hardly even drink (I had one drink the whole night, this year).
This year, we got out about 9:30 pm, and… nada. Hardly ANYONE was dressed up. And it was later in the evening, already! Sigh. The bad thing is, Christina and Steven both asked me about this – if I thought other people would be dressed up this past weekend. In my mind, yes! The weekend before Halloween is the one to dress up and go out. Not the weekend after! But, I guess that was the plan, for a lot of people. We saw a few signs that said “costume party Nov 2.” Um, no, I will be listening to holiday music then. Thankyouverymuch.
Would you ever dress up for a Halloween party that was after Oct 31?
Christina explained to me that we were in a college town, and the college kids drink at home, then go out to the bars later* (so that they spend less money overall). She said we just needed to wait. She could see local people on her Facebook feed, in costume. They were out there! Somewhere! Ha ha. But I turned in to a pumpkin. After hanging out at a bar so loud I couldn’t hear the person next to me talk, I was kind of done. Which is sad, because Christina was right! When we were outside between 11:30-midnight, all the costumed people were coming out, and we started getting some fun comments on our costumes.
Now you all know – I am a party pooper.
Sigh. You probably already knew!
I still had a blast! Getting ready is a HUGE part of the fun! We all meet at my Grandma’s to assemble our costumes and hang out and eat pizza before we go.
Spending that time with my parents, siblings, and grandma is a treat. It’s rare that we are all together, just hangout out and goofing around like this.
So. I will hopefully be back next year. Halloween will be on a Friday. Does that mean we have to get there early so we can go out on Friday? Does that mean the 5K I do won’t be the same weekend?! AHH! Decisions! Running always trumps… right?!
Hee hee hee. So I have seen a lot of comments from people who think Halloween is stupid and dressing up is lame. What do you think? I never started doing it, as an adult, until 2010. And man, we have a blast. It’s so fun to hang out and see everyone’s costumes!
*And they probably go out on 10/31, as well.
Themocracy
You guys all look great! Billy Gay Cyrus??? bahahahah!!!! Too bad the other costumed folks didn’t come out till later.
So your brother went as Data? So cool!
I LOVE dressing up for Halloween. We usually have a big party each year with our neighbors, but with the wonky weekend situatuon we couldn’t make it work this year. So sad. 🙁
Thanks! LOL. Anthony kept making fun of Steven’s hat and calling him that. It made me laugh too.
Hee hee. I am not sure what the cat costume was, but it was hilarious in person, especially with that tail!
Man! I am bummed you didn’t get to dress up. Hmm, it’s not too late. Should we go out tonight?!?!?!
I LOVE this. Your family is just awesome.
Aww, thanks 🙂
The costumes are FANTASTIC. I especially love the family pictures of everyone in costume! The pizza wench picture made me laugh out loud.
Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like Halloween is a bigger deal now than it used to be when I was younger. As a child I don’t remember any adults getting all dressed up to go to big Halloween parties – but now it’s the talk of the town! I haven’t dressed up in quite some time, but if I do I always pick something super low maintenance. E.g. I dressed up as a tourist once – just wore a flowery shirt, hat, sunglasses, hip pack, and sneakers, and carried a camera and brochures with me. Very easy!
Aww, thank you! 🙂
That is an easy, fun, creative costume!
Hmm, I do not remember my parents going to costume parties as kids, either. I wonder if it is a bigger deal now? It seems like everything has become more commercial as we’ve gotten older… or do we just notice it more, now?
Love this! I am reminded of a certain Panty Raider Ragnar team…
Agree: a Halloween party cannot be after Halloween. Cannot.
I am hearing lots of comments about how people aren’t that into Halloween this year/less decorations, etc. What’s up with that?
The Somali pirates are acting up recently so I think you’re plenty relevant to current events. Haha!
Ha ha ha! Yes! I am bummed I have not seen the Panty Raiders in action! 🙂
Buah ha ha. So, I told Steven he could dress up as that kind of pirate, if he wanted to be relevant, a la Captain Phillip (s?). Ha ha ha. Doesn’t quite work! 😉
I love that your sister had to explain the concept of “pre-gaming” to you LOL. I still do that to save money! And because we often have better beer at home 🙂
You wenches all look great! You definitely have a good pirate stylist. And it’s awesome that your Grandma was on standby bail duty!
I haven’t dressed up for Halloween in years. I think the last time I did was the year that I met Bob (and I basically wore my own clothes and dressed up as a Stepford Wife, which may not have even been relevant then, I don’t know), back when I was only 26. Like you, I just suck at coming up with costume ideas. I don’t know, maybe I’ll do it again someday.
Ha ha ha. So THAT is what it is called? It’s funny that I don’t know. I only went out to the bars ONCE in college!
What does a Stepford wife look like? Floral dress and big hair? 🙂
I freaking LOVE your costumes! That is so much fun 🙂 And I love hearing about families who can goof off and truly enjoy each others’ company.
It’s funny too that you mention the Halloween parties on November 2. I’m like you–Halloween parties BEFORE the holiday. But a family friend is throwing his traditionally huge blow-out Halloween bash this coming weekend as are many of the bars. Weird!
Thanks! 🙂 We all do have fun together! I wish I could go back to my hometown more often!
Oh gosh. So are you going this weekend?! I am happy I am not the only one thinking it is bizzaro!
Silly college kids and their pre-gaming!
Love the costumes! 🙂
Hee hee. Guess we need to find some older folk’s bar next year?!
Thanks! 🙂
hmm well I would be listening to holiday music as well after 10/31.
But I think I have gone to Halloween parties after 10/31 so eh I don’t know.
But I totally was one of those who would drink at home before going out because it was way to much $$$ to drink. (I guess I can drink, snort)
The costumes were great!
Kim,I always enjoy your Halloween costume blog post. So fun! Your parents look fabulous. I agree that a Halloween party cannot take place after Halloween.
My BFF always has her Halloween costume party the last Saturday BEFORE Oct 31 so she definitely agrees with you. She wouldn’t even change it in 2011 when I told her I wouldn’t be able to stay very long since I was running the MCM the next day. This year is the last year she is having it though because the number of people who come has died down over the years.
I love your pirate costumes! I’ve never done a themed costume before but it looks like fun. It’s also cool that your parents dress up and go out with you. My parents are usually winding down by 9:30 (and let’s be real, I am too).
How fun! I love Halloween and dressing up for it even though I haven’t done it in years. Every year that passes and I don’t do something I say I am going to do it next year. This time I mean it! Next year I am dressing up! I also agree that the parties should be before Halloween. I don’t know why that is but it makes sense to me.
Looking good pirates! I didn’t dress up but I did make my dog wear a hot dog costume around the house because I was too lazy to go back out after work. Put me in the party pooper category.
Picture!!!! I want to see your dog! And that doesn’t sound like party pooper to me! We stayed in last night and watched Pet Sematary.
Your costumes are GREAT! You all did a fabulous job. And that photo of you and Christina with Will? Sexy 🙂
Thanks!
Lol, there were a few photos with us and Will that showed more skin… I think those are only on Facebook. Ha ha ha.
Ahh, I love that your family does themes! That’s so great and makes picking a costume a lot easier (I guess once you get over the initial hurdle.). Steven’s expression in the first photo made me laugh out loud. I think you should tell him this.
Ha ha ha! I told him. He said that is his “straight” face. Kind of funny he said that, considering the caption.
Love love the costumes. So creative. What a fun night you guys had.