Carvin party II - 2007

so this last sunday was our annual pumpkin carving party. rich and i decided last year we'd like to start something like that, so we did. the idea actually came when we had rob, jen, and the kids over to carve pumpkins last haloween. then i thought, "i'd really like to make this annual and invite both families...all of them!" i know, we're crazy. i'm a glutton for punishment i've decided.
so we did it. sunday afternoon everyone came over around 4. we had tables set up on the porch for each family.



everyone had a good time and no one got cut. jen has these child safety knives she gets from pampered chef. like she says, "they'll cut through a pumpkin like it's butter, but they won't cut you." they really are amazing. one of the best investments you'll make if carving pumpkins is a sure thing in your future. just as last year, emily devoured hers, carving, carving, and more carving, leaving little of the pumpkin to the imagination. tay, austin, and jen's looked really cute (jen's had polka dots), and then there was rob, off in the corner, carving away on his "secret project!" i felt like i was watching a clip from extreme home makeover.
luke and jake made a great scary faced pumpkin and phil, nicole, peyton, and anneliese took their time making beautiful creations. tatti, grandma, and grandad did a good job helping and assisting. (papa couldn't be with us and we missed him so much.)
now when rich and i decided to do this, we heard there were pumpkins as walmart, any size, all for 3.50 each. so what did we do? bought the biggest honkers we could find. rich had it in his mind that he'd carve and gut one and put ry in it. well he did and here's how it turned out!




after carving we went in to fill our bellies on pizza, salad, dessert, and coffee. some of the folks took in the world series game and the kids ran around like crazy, screaming, laughing, stomping, pushing, playing, more screaming, and laughing, until we knew the sugar had taken it's course and they were about to crash!!! so we decided it was time! our most anticipated part of the whole evening! went outside and lit up our pumpkins for all to enjoy. i actually have some great pictures of all the pumpkins lit up, but i cannot find my cord to download them to my laptop, so i will have to post them later. i'll try to hurry so you're not looking at haloween pics in january! :O)
so in closing, i'll just say...i loved every minute of it and i'd say my only regret is that i could not invite more people. if you know me, you know i hate to leave people out. i'll tell ya, if i ever have a bigger house, you'll all probably get an invite in the mail. unfortunately for now i'll have to keep it to a minimum, only immediate family...all 20 of us (and that doesn't even include the 5 that don't live here!!!)
i really hope you've all had a fun filled, eventful fall season so far and had a chance to get out and enjoy some of the great festivities we have around here.
happy haloween and make sure to be safe!!!