Smith Spooktacular 2012

The always fun and entertaining Kelley Smith hosted another Spooktacular party.  Can I just say how much I love Halloween?  Always have.  I love that pretty much anytime of the day I can turn on AMC and a horror flick will be on.  I love to get dressed up, humiliate Jason, and be creative.  Although this year I was so stuck about what to do for a costume.  I wanted something big, something unique. The light bulb never quite went off and other than political news, no other hot pop culture was there to ride on, but after going back and forth between a couple of ideas I decided to try and do a Ventriloquist and dummy with me as the dummy.  Thanks to my mom for helping me out on a 2 day notice before the party.

   I really didn't want a mask, but couldn't get my makeup the way I wanted.  This mask had eyes, but I cut them out so I could do the 'shifty' eyes.  I wish I could have known no one could hear me under the mask because my mockery of being in character fell on deaf ears.  
Usually, we get into the dancing and do games, but this year due to my bum knee (which will be a bum til surgery) I was down most the night and surviving on pain medication.  :(
So alas, following are pictures others took that evening:

 (Serial Killer)

 "May the odds ever be in your favor."

 (Paradox)

Winner of Scary Costume (Jane Austin Books)

 My favorite:  Lucy and Desi black and white.

 (Pair of nunchucks)

 (An Item)

Much thanks to Kelley and all her hard work!!

KOKO-MO

We've traveled with our dear friends for years now.  Each time we travel, we try going somewhere new to check out new things and make multitudes of memories doing so.   We were itching for some cold weather since summer continues to drag on in Phoenix. Jason has a coworker who owns a cabin, 'Koko's View,' in Prescott.  It was tricky getting there, but well worth it.  As we pulled up in the pitch darkness with headlights shining on an empty cabin, it was an eerie and creepy 'Cabin in the Woods' feel.   It made us wonder what we had gotten ourselves into.  But once we turned the key, opened the door and turned on the lights, it felt like home. Cozy, warm, and woodsy.  The view was fabulous overlooking Thumb Butte.   

What a way to wake up:  great view, a family of deer, deer calls, the sound of wind in the pines, a cool chill in the air, a cup of hot cocoa in hand, conversation and entertainment.

The ever living 'Ding-a-dur.' So we had big plans while we were there, none of which panned out.  First, was to go horseback riding, of which got cancelled due to horses being 'unavailable.' Whatever that means. Our ATV plans also fell through. So, we took our guns and prepared for the zombie apocalypse:

HOT

HOTTER  :)

HOTTEST X 2

'Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna do when they come for you.'

It was a cloudy day...apparently the glasses were for 'cool' factor.

Caity being effective in the construction of the pigeon throw.

Proved his effectiveness in our group in the survival of the apocalypse.

Before the kickback on the shoulder.   After, it was all tears.

Thinking they're going to get off Scott free.

Receiving instruction.

First time ever firing a shotgun.  Loved it, but it took me three times to hit my pigeon.

Toughest 90 pounder I know.

My money shot.  $$$ Give me my 9mm, and they don't stand a chance. After running out of ammo, we chilled at the cabin, made some comfort food, played some serious games including Bop It.  We went to see the movie Hotel Transylvania (hilarious) and had some horrible Garcia's Mexican food after.

Dancin' the moves.

Driving the bus.

Distractions.

Getting ready to school everyone.

And...I bombed. Later that night, Suzy and I stayed up way too late...

Our next destination was a scenic drive through Jerome, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon, to Snow Bowl in Flagstaff.  The plan had been to ride the ski lift at sunset, because of rain we wanted to arrive sooner than later.  Upon arrival, lifts were closed due to the weather but there were NO complaints, it was too beautiful and fun to be high in the air, we were meant to be in the heart of it.

The background is so spectacular it looks fake...like a JCPenney backdrop.

Typical...I'm the only one taking things seriously.

With his continual annoyance of snow balls, he has definitely qualified for Deacon's Quorum.

 Jason's grimacing because he is fully aware of the shadow behind with a snowball in hand.

Instead of getting pelted, Suzanne and I went for the traditional snow egg toss.

Russian spy.

Never mentally graduated from Deacon's Quorum.

Ensign cover page.

Yeah, I fell...so what!! Later, we went on a hike to the Lava River Cave also known as the Lava Tubes.  Definite rock climbing involved in the beginning but smooths as you hike further in. Headlamp and/or flashlight are a must, without it's pitch black.   It was amazing and even with the 'Wind Breaker' was worth every step.

Signing in... in case we go 'missing.'

The entrance.

Into the abyss.

A quarter way in.

Picture taken in complete darkness. Next day, Mortimer Farms, and it reminded me so much of home.  

We split by families and competed through the maze.  Tanner's were victorious.  I know my way through corn!  

Mine is bigger.

Nathan wanted to do the rodeo so bad, so we paid $15 for about 3 seconds (worse than a video game), but he did fantastic and I was so proud of him for being so brave.

Gettin' bucked.

The dismount.

And...he's down!!

I LOVE the look of happiness on his face.

My future cowboy...giddy-up.

Shopping for...corn.  -__-

Pumpkin Patch

Out of everything, one of my most favorite memories and moments of the trip was:

Normally we're lucky to see a couple stars, so this was a treat, even more sweet with thee best company.

Another one for the books.