It's The Great Pumpkin Carve

I'm typing this to the smell of freshly toasted pumpkin seeds, and I would be sipping a nice warm mug of apple cider, but I didn't realize that we ran out like two weeks ago! (So I'm sipping a cup of cold water.) The house is quiet, everyone is sound asleep (with visions of pumpkins dancing in their heads) worn out from a busy day of football & pumpkin carving.

This evening we attended the Annual Pumpkin Carve that our wonderful friends, the Davises, have hosted for the last 5 years. If my memory serves me correctly, I believe we have attended all five years, and it is surely one of the highlights of our October! Pretty much around October 1st the kids start asking when the Pumpkin Carve will be. They do not want to miss it! Tonight there was a crowd of over 20 adults and 40+ kids, plenty of delicious food, and lots & lots of FUN! It is a great evening for kids & parents alike, as it gives us a chance to fellowship with friends old & new.
Our awesome hosts, Jeff & Stephanie (with six sweet kids of their own!) go ALL out in planning, organizing & setting up a great event! In addition to the general merriment that happens when you have 40+ kids in a big back yard, I'm talking games, "bobbing" for apples, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown shown outside on a big screen, and of course the carving of the pumpkins!

 A little trick we have learned from experience...we "gut" our pumpkins at home before heading to the party. Jeff & Stephanie are always super organized & have tables set up for the messy part. However, in trying to keep track of all of our kids, it helps us to do this prep work at home in advance. 

 Sophie helping get all those yummy seeds out of her pumpkin!

 We arrived at the party & there are friends everywhere playing & having fun!

 Supper time! Everyone brings a dish to share & the selection this year was mouth-watering! Everything I ate was delicious & I don't think anyone went away hungry! 

 Of course Darcy is eating a chocolate covered pretzel first...

 This was seriously the most pleasant face Jack would make for the camera!

Drew wanted to go exploring in the woods! 

 Our sweet pumpkin!

 Three little pumpkins all in a row!

 Owen, Nolan & Lucy...just a few of the sweet babies at the party!

 Linked up like a little daisy-chain!

 These cute babies are starting to draw a crowd!

Drew is really giving Lucy a hug, not body slamming her! 

 Drew talking to his girlfriend, Blythe

 Yay, Lucy's pal Trinity joins the group!

Pumpkin carving is serious business... 

 I was proud of Jack, he drew out his own design & carved his pumpkin all by himself. 

 Lots of pumpkin, lots of carvers!

 Cute bunch of kids running around while the parents finish carving the pumpkins!

 Pass the Pumpkin (think: musical chairs)

 Pumpkin carving station

This castle was a team effort for Sophie's pumpkin...she found the design in a pumpkin carving book, Jeff drew it on the pumpkin & I carved it out.

 Jack chose to draw the cross & tomb where Christ was buried, along with the big stone that was rolled away when Jesus rose from the dead.

 Darcy wanted a butterfly

 Our 3 pumpkins

 Time for "bobbing" for apples

 Sophie got one!

  I LOVE the creativity displayed in all of the pumpkins!

 It is fun to see how the pumpkin carve has grown...the first year all of the pumpkins fit on the top of one bench!

 The Davises are always thinking of fun new things to make the party extra special... 

 And what makes more of a bang than a few fireworks!

 Butterfly, Castle & Cross/tomb 

 The kids LOVED it!!!

 All the kids checking out the pumpkins up close

 And to end a great night on a sweet note...

All the kids got a little treat bag to fill with candy or trinkets on the way out the door.

We are already looking forward to next year's Pumpkin Carve! Thank you SO much to Jeff & Stephanie for hosting such a wonderful event! You guys do a great job!! We know it is a lot of work, but all of your efforts pay off in a very enjoyable evening for all!