Emily Salmond's Family: A Ghostly Gathering!

This Halloween was a bit different for my family. I had emergency surgery to remove my gallbladder and appendix the week before the holiday. So you can rightly say, that I was NOT fully myself by the time Halloween crept into sight. It took everything in me, to get up, dress, put in my colored contacts (the kids were so excited for them that I had to oblige), and go over to Jeremiah and Kirsten's house for a dinner party.

Choosing Costumes - All of the kids either chose out their own costumes or agreed with me to wear the one I finally bought for them after many days of store hopping. Arianna struggled tremendously with making a decision on who or what she wanted to be. Finally I went to the store with Micah, grabbed the one I felt she might like, and handed it to her with just one request "try it on first, before you say you don't like it." She decided she really liked it and was excited for the day to come. But when I ratted up her hair and put leaves and sticks in it, she frowned with undeniable displeasure "I look ugly!" She pouted. I tried to convince her that cave women where suppose to have hair like that, but she was unwavering. It wasn't until she returned home from her party that she came up to me, bright eyed and says "my hair is my favorite part of my WHOLE outfit. Everyone loved it." I just grinned, nodded my head, and said "I'm glad they liked it, sweetie." It took everything NOT to say I told you so, I told you so.

Arianna starring as cave girl - 7 years old

The boys were much easier specimens to please. Anything rough, tough, and mean was a sure thing to stardom. OH, and of course Star Wars. Good things never die. Nor good movies, so it seems.

Isaac starring as Bumble Bee (Transformers) - 6 years old

Isaac is a character. It is challenging to even get a picture of him because he is truly a animated boy. The whole time he was "HI-YAHing, and KER-CHAWing" for these pictures. Dang boy, settle down while I get a picture of you. Everytime he sees the camera he yelps, "wait mom, let me do my super moves."

Levi starring a black ninja - 9 years old

Levi on the other hand is my super poser. Camera is out, and he can strike the perfect strike a pose look. FROZEN solid until you get the picture. And frankly, I prefer ones like that. I spew less motherly warnings, such as "stop that, hold still, won't you please not touch him/her, hey - I mean it, don't do that, if you don't smile I swear I'm gonna put you in time out" kind of mumbo jumbo. Even I get annoyed by my own voice. Imagine the damage I am bestowing on my children.

Lazarus starring as a clone trooper - 11 years old

This is the look Lazarus give when I say, "smile Lazarus, won't ya? Geez." Otherwise he would rather have the look that says I'm gonna kill you. He calls it the "tough" look. I call it the "I don't want to remember it" look.

Finally all my kids together. And see what I told you about posing. Here I was probably just sighing deeply as I took hundreds of photos. But man, I really do love them. Despite their flaws.

I wanted to add in a few pictures of our Halloween party as well. I made it a whole hour at Kirsten and Jeremiah's house before I had to have Micah take me home. He was great to take Isaac and Levi Trick or Treating. Arianna and Lazarus met up with the Popp's (neighborhood friends) to go around with them. Everyone had tons of fun, and each one made sure they came to me and told me how much they missed me. They were all great to make me feel loved and needed.

Micah, myself (Emily), Jeremiah (Micah's brother), and Kirsten (Jeremiah's wife)

Melany (Jeremiah and Kirsten's daughter - she is 11)

Elizabeth (their youngest daughter - she is 1)

Ariella (their other daughter - she is 2) didn't want anything to do with her costume. Using it as a pillow was the closest is was going to get to on her while I was there.

Arianna always B-lines to the babies. She is exactly how I was as a child.

Melany strung up all the spiderwebs by herself. It was actually super awesome. I have to say I was impressed, and told her I was going to have to invite her over to my house conveniently next time we decorate for Halloween. She beamed.