Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY

I'm beginning to understand that some holidays are a blast no matter how old you are. Halloween is one such holiday.  Today at work we had the annual Halloween contest. My department  had a reputation to live up to. Last year we won best decorated department. This year we wanted to either repeat the win of best decorated department or win best group costume. The prize - $200.  Not too shabby when you have to split it between only four people.

We were the Wizard of Oz - Blood Center Style.  I was Dorothy, who just wanted to go back to Reading (the contest took place at the Bethlehem site).  The opening line of our  super-fantastic 5 minute skit? 

"Toto, I don't think we're in Reading anymore."

John dressed as the Tin Man and was hilarious.  He didn't have a heart and therefore didn't understand why donating blood was important.  It was okay though - he still offered to give some fresh frozen plasma.

Janice was the lion - a role suited perfectly for her.  She growled at us when we found her and needed courage to donate blood.  I applied her face paint and told her (after I had already started) that handing me the face paint was like letting a three year old do her makeup.

Naomi, our boss, had to do a My Blood, Your Blood Presentation. Go figure someone actually had to work on a holiday like Halloween!  We were sad without her, but Debbie from another department filled in as the Scarecrow and also did a great job.  We had so much fun! We also had "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" playing during our skit to set the scene.  

Here is a picture of the gang.

Of course our decorations wouldn't be complete without flying monkeys and a witch hanging from the ceiling.  I took this picture after we'd already taken the monkeys down but you get the idea.  My absolute most favorite part of our skit was when we all threw ourselves to the ground screaming, "AHHHHHHH FLYING MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!"
I also brought this awesome house to use as a prop. I scored it at the Choir Show Mr. Gebely and I went to with Strump and Jack.  Luckily it just fit in my car.  The yellow brick road is kind of askew in the picture, but notice the witches feet under the house?
And here is one more picture of the awesome tin man - only because I know he probably spent a lot of time making his costume and really, it was very clever.

oh, and cause I know you're wondering - yes, we won best group costume!

Got any suggestions for next Halloween? :)