Ladies and Gentleman....Boys and Girls...

OctoberHalloweenFoodParty+ CostumesActing like Clowns (no pun intended)
Tanner Murder Mystery Night

Another year, another night in polyester.  It never gets old.  Our theme, "Murder Under the Big Top" was  centered on the circus.  I loved all the possibilities that it provided from food to decorations to characters.  We had circus food which included a full hot dog bar, nachos, chips, animal crackers/cookies, peanuts, popcorn and caramel corn, with hot fudge sundaes, cupcakes, cookies...etc.  Your typical nightly all American meal.  My kids along with Caity and my mom helped with some of the decor. Special thanks to those who helped blow up multiple balloons lit by glow sticks.

I have to be honest and say I'm always a bit bummed after the fact because there is always so much I want to do and either run out of time, money, or both.  I would have loved to do booths, cotton candy, candied apples, pie eating contest, etc.  Luckily, no one else sees the expectations in my head or others might have been disappointed as well.  But really, the party is all about the people.  It's only as fun and entertaining as the people involved.  The character possibilities were endless and everyone did such a bang up job taking their assigned part and making it their own.  I had someone ask me why I go to so much work every year.  I do it because I love to provide opportunities for others to enjoy a laugh or two while being with friends and forgetting their troubles for a night.  Hopefully, that was accomplished.
Our performers:

The Clown (Creepy enough to scare kids for life) and Peyton Protection (The poor guy got robbed multiple times).

The Two Headed Man and The Ventriloquist

(Both additions to their costumes were both genius and disturbing).

Ruby (Won Best Performer which I'm still not quite sure if he even read his part) and Finley Fiscal (The Bearded Lady).

Pat Pachyderm (Elephant performer and kuddos for an amazing costume of which part came from her previous baton days) and The Vendor (Has the most expensive popcorn in town).

I had to post this picture for memorabilia purposes.  Awkward moment of the night:  Janice states, 'I want to look sexy for this picture' while getting ready to pose with her son.

Cat Levens (Lion Tamer also won for Best Dressed) and Ricky Mammal (Animal Caretaker).

The Carny (No, it's not a skirt, it's a gaming table) and The Fortune Teller (She gave me a good read so I believe in her).

Casey Saber (Sword Swallower, and in my opinion the best introduction of herself at the party) and Rowan McGregor (Midway Manager).

Awkward Picture of the night:  Mandy Small (The Skinny Midget Woman) and Harley Bell (The Strong Man).

Agent Swift (FBI of whom I still owe $500) and Nick Dagger (Knife Thrower and a pretty good flirter).

The Animal Performer and Boomer Jackson (Ringmaster...best voice of the night).

Harold Hargrove (Boss Man) and Matilda Hargrove (Boss's Wife) and oh my gosh, my mid-section looks huge in this jumpsuit!

BTW...no, my character did not say I was a raging alcoholic.  I've just never played one and it allowed me to stretch my acting abilities. More things to add to the resume.

Ariel Swinger (Center Ring Acrobat and hussy) and Robert Flyer (Catcher...kuddos for actually using the trampoline).

Twisty Kristy (Acrobat, my personal banking system for the night, and she still came away wealthiest player) along with D.J. Ink (Tattoo Spectacle and more kuddos for shaving the head for the party).

And last but certainly not least Skylar Toppoler (Injured Acrobat and the 'Star of the Show').
The Crew Together:

Annual Smith Spooktacular 2011

This year's theme was famous people.  I was thrilled because it fit with my outfit I'd been planning since LAST year.  For last year's Smith Spooktacular I was scrambling and had thought to be Barbie and have Jason be Ken, but to put together something quickly was going to cost mucho dinero.  Luckily, the Chilean Miners had just been rescued...so thanks to them, they were the inspiration for last year's group costume.  We bought a foam mattress over a year ago and it came in a gigantic, awesome box.  A box wonderful enough that Nathan had his eye on it wishing it was his for the taking.  I had it pegged for Barbie.  And so it sat in our garage driving Jason crazy.  He is a bit meticulous about his space in the garage.  He grudgingly gave in.  It became an even sorer subject while we were moving that I insisted it come with us.  He hates that box, but sure didn't have any complaints putting me in it.

After being in it for awhile I realized I hadn't quite thought it through, especially the ventilation aspect.  It was quite hot and reeked of paint fumes.  The paint was dry but still had the sticky feel and so every time I removed it I'd lose some hair and came home with hair stained pink. I had zero peripheral vision and ran into people and things all night. I knew going in that I was going to be on the uncomfortable side and isn't that what costumes are all about??  On the plus side, I didn't have to worry about my breath or sneezing without covering my mouth. 
Jason was an easy Ken other than I couldn't find a plastic brunette wig.  To match the blonde, I had to spray his hair and eyebrows as yellow as I could.  That stuff smelt like trash, so I had a hard time being around him for the night...so if you smelled something vile standing next to him...it was the hair, I promise!  We also had him wear a bow tie and had my ginormous engagement ring in a box rubber banded to his hand and flowers in the other hand, also rubber banded (so his hands were not to lose their proper stiff form).  

 

The Smith party was nothing short of fabulous and we love to go and mingle with dear friends.  Following are pictures of the night.  Ken was in charge, so there are a lot tons of pictures missing.  It was on his list of duties for if I left my box, I would have lost half my value. So many good costumes are missing from these photos.  I will be posting more as soon as I can snag some from others as they post theirs...so stay tuned.

Bikers and Team Rehab: Britney Spears and Charlie Sheen.

Team Rehab:  Amy Winehouse and future Justin Bieber.

Team Rehab:  Lindsey Lohan and Dr. Dru.

Humpty Dumpty.  Yes, folks, that is a REAL pregnant belly painted.

Mary Poppins, a tired Mary Poppins...sorry Penny.  

Our D.J., Darth and his Apprentice, the Phantom duking it out.

Our Emcee:  Jem's Manager and Trivia Winner Jesse James.

Humiliation point of the night:  the D.J. playing 'I'm a Barbie Girl' and insisting I take the dance floor solo.  That song went on foreverrrrrr.

A cop and her doughnut.

Santa delivering Megan's life size Barbie for Christmas.  Megan was Paparazzi for the evening.

Shaved ice for the evening.  I lost count after having 5 of them.  Addicting, plus it was like having my own little air conditioner in the box.

Honorary Awards 

Best Famous People's Choice Costume:  Mad Hatter and Alice.

Best Famous Scariest Costume:  Nightmare Before Christmas.

The coveted VIP award for the best partier...as you can see.

Best Famous Funniest Costume:  Jersey Shore.

Best Famous Still Alive Costume:  Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Best Famous Deceased Costume:  Titanic Passengers.

Best Famous Couple:  Ken and Barbie.  

I play to win.
And the box is still in the garage.  :)