Halloween 2012

Halloween just isn't what it used to be, when our children were young it was a big event in our neighborhood.  Adults and their children would dress up and roam the neighborhood from house to house in search of wonderful treats, but tonight we had a grand total of six children come to our door, and three of those were our grandchildren.  I worked at my office in West Edmonton Mall today and in fifteen minutes we gave away candy to 240 children, some of which looked like they were still in high school.  The entire holiday has shifted from a fun neighborhood centered activity to a challenge to see which parents can get their children around to the most stores in the shortest amount of time, scoring the largest bulk of candy, most of which I'm sure is eaten by the parents.
My mom loved Halloween and would spend months thinking up and preparing a costume that would delight her co-workers and customers.  She would be so disappointed in the holiday as it is today.  It's true things change but not always for the better, I'm a traditional kind of guy and I hate to see the traditions of my youth traded for something cheap and easy.
Anyway, loved my grand-children's idea of Halloween, still went door to door and came to our place for a special treat.  Hope our little Eli in Vancouver had as much fun as our local kids did here.

Walker as Bumble Bee & Emma as Little Red Riding Hood

Transformer and Red hooking up for a night of candy collecting and munching in Edmonton.  Even -15 degrees couldn't keep these determined 'Trick or Treaters' from scoring a bag full of candy.  Followed carefully by their little sister Lilllian, 'Trick or Treater' in training as the baby duck.

Lillian as the Baby Duck that growls

Their parents are always so good to make sure that they enjoy these special events and create memories for them that they will cherish when they are my age.

Danielle and her little duckling

  Can't wait to see what our little Eli looks like dressed as Dauby from Harry Potter.