Journeys›Photograph

A Week of Halloween and Día de los Muertos, 2015

·Walnut Creek, California·#bay area#family#holiday#halloween#costumes#dia-de-los-muertos
Two children in Halloween costumes, a doll and a sugar skull, stand outdoors among large green plants.

Late October in 2015 was a flurry of costumes and face paint. The week blended from Halloween school parades right into our Día de los Muertos celebrations. The kids had a full lineup of outfits. I remember one girl dressed as a doll on roller skates, and another with this beautiful sugar skull face paint that she wore for a few days straight.

There was the usual daytime gathering in the schoolyard, with kids showing off their costumes—a mix of cheerleaders, devils, and princesses. Later, we carved pumpkins, their glowing faces lighting up the yard at night. The adults got into it, too. I remember a trio of friends showing up dressed as fruit—a pineapple, a strawberry, and maybe grapes? It was simple and perfect.

The main event was the family gathering for Day of the Dead. We spent the evening inside, everyone in costume, from the littlest baby dressed as a butterfly to the adults. There was a lot of laughter and posing for photos. It was just one of those weeks where the house was full of energy, decorations, and family.

Five children in costumes stand on dark pavement in front of a light-colored building outdoors.Smiling people in sunglasses wear fruit costumes: one purple with green leaves, one yellow pineapple, and one red strawberry.Two young girls smile next to a glowing carved pumpkin and Halloween decor with purple lights.Four children in Halloween costumes stand in a row in front of a wooden fence outdoors.A child with sugar skull face paint and an adult in a vest are sitting together indoors, looking at the camera.An adult with a scowling face and a child with colorful skull face paint sit together.Three smiling people, an adult woman in a witch hat, an adult man, and a child with sugar skull face paint.Two people, one holding a child in butterfly antennae, stand indoors with a skeleton decoration, one holding a glass.

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