Pumpkin Carving Party

Wade's company had a pumpkin carving contest for their residents and they had a lot of pumpkins left over. He brought home 12 and we had a carving party! 

That's a lot of pumpkins!

The adults did most of the gutting. Austin looks so thrilled.

Wade was more excited about it. Pull those seeds out!

Or just dump them out. Do pumpkins always have this much pulp and seeds? That looks like a lot!

Millie was the most interested of all the kids. She got right to work scooping out the insides.

And she even used her hands! Go Millie!

She put the lid on her head and so I asked her if she wanted to be a pumpkin and she just laughed.

Good job Millie! When it comes to traditional pumpkin carving (not using the fancy patterns) triangle eyes and nose are probably my favorite.

Lincoln didn't like the smell, he was gagging and plugging his nose. He was begging me for a mask. I told him the mask wouldn't keep the smell out, but he wouldn't believe me and you will notice in some of the other pictures he is wearing a mask. Funny Lincoln, he makes me laugh. I do agree pumpkins are a little stinky, but not that bad. Lincoln has always a had a sensitive nose. He is the only baby I know who gagged when he got his own diaper changed. 

Megan brought a really cool drill attachment called a pumpkin gutter. It removes the seeds and strings pretty quickly.

It also thins the pumpkin walls making them each easier to carve. What a nifty little invention!

Calista was very interested in everything and wouldn't leave her Dad's side.

Wade had some fangs he added to his pumpkin. They were individual teeth that just stick in wherever you want to put them. I love the big eyes on this one.

Dagny designed her pumpkin and Landon drew it on, then helped her cut it out.

Of course it had eye lashes because Dagny is such a girly girl. Her hat was a cute addition too. Well done Dagny!

Lincoln picked a scary skull pattern and so Megan taped it on for him. She is a very precise carver and the pumpkin shows that.

It turned out awesome and Lincoln was very happy.

Claire wanted to make a cat and she just drew her own pattern. Wow! I would be too scared.

I love it! I don't even what which part is my favorite. The nose looks so real, the whiskers add so much, and cute eyes! Good job Claire

Melissa found a cat pattern to use and then decided it was too much work, so she just free handed it by looking at the pattern. Impressive! It looks exactly like the pattern. My drawing skills leave a lot to be desired, so I can't imagine carving without a pattern.

It was fun to see the adults carve a pumpkin for themselves after they helped their kids.

Landon enjoyed it so much that he made 2 for himself after helping Dagny. I especially liked the bat.

Megan's masterpiece!

A surprised pumpkin with a fun nose

Claire decided to do another one when she realized all the pumpkins might not get carved.

Pumpkin lineup part 1.

Part 2. Wade had already left, so not all pumpkins are included.

Pumpkin carving is hard work and builds up an appetite. Since the kitchen table was covered, the girls went outside for a picnic.

Enjoy lunch outside while you can Dagny. We have had a really nice fall. It almost always snows during fall break, but not this year. However, in true Colorado fashion, the weather is taking a big nose dive tomorrow and it will be cold for trick or treating.

Thanks for the pumpkins Wade! We had a great time carving them together! I sure love it when my family gets together.