Pumpkin Carving FHE

How's that for scary!!

We finally had our pumpkin carving FHE.  Not sure what took us so long this year, but it was so warm out, they would have been mush by Halloween if we'd done them any earlier.  I gave a lesson on BLAST that Nate and I learned at the Bishop's, in preparation for next week's lesson.  Then it was carving time!

This is one of our favorite traditions!!  And I mean OUR!  Nate and I are always so impressed with the kids.  It's so much fun!!  

It's funny to look back on the last two years and have the pictures look basically the same... evidence that we really are in our OWN house and that we have/can set roots here!!  Not like the last ten years where almost every Halloween was in a different kitchen!  I love that :).  

We laid out the sheet and everyone got going!

Erika was so excited!  She did so much of hers all by herself this year.  Cleaning it, carving the lid, she did a LOT of the gut scooping even!  She had Nate draw her pony and then carved that herself too!  Pretty impressive for a five (almost six :) ) year old!  She was so happy her little mouth was going going going the entire time :).  

Jack was really the only one who didn't carve his own.  For obvious reasons :).  But that doesn't mean he didn't have fun!  He got VERY into the choosing of the design and watched carefully as Nate drew it.  He could not have been more pleased with his pumpkin at the end and couldn't get enough of it the whole week.

I don't know if Charity's face was intentional or not, but it's hilarious:).  

Toys NOT in Molly's face.  Molly did pretty good all evening.  She had slept so much that day, she needed to nurse MOST of FHE.  We took a few little breaks so that Mom could carve hers and Molly's pumpkins, but she spent most of the time nursing really :).

Luke was adorable this year.  Got totally into it and did it ALL by himself!  He's a regular pro now!  I think he did the same design he did last year, so it must be a winner :).  He mentioned that he likes to sit there quietly and just listen to everyone talking.  Funny kid.  

Bradley got way into it as well.  Doing his same design that he came up with last year.  It's pretty cool, I must say.  He did his completely on his own.  It's so fun to watch these guys' talents and creativity shine with this project.

Noah only had a little help with drawing his on his pumpkin.  But did most of the carving.  I was so proud of him!  It turned out really cool!  He was so proud!

Kelly's took the longest as usual.  I think she does that on purpose now :).  But she does such a great job every year.  Gets SO creative and goes all out!  This year was no exception.  Here's the before.

This is mine :).  I love it :).  Like I said, I spent most of the time feeding Molly.  But she did let me do this :).  It was such a fun evening.

Nate spent a lot of time drawing people's pumpkins for them before he was able to get started on his own.  But his did not disappoint!  I was so happy to see him carving again.  I think he missed doing it last year.

I was so proud of Charity this year!!  She was so happy the whole time, came up with her design and carved it all ALL BY HERSELF!!  Without any frustration at all!  She really has grown up!  And look how cute it is!  She did great!

I think we all know what makes this picture so awesome :)

Nate's finished product!

Luke's "Boo"

Jack's ghost

Noah's spider

Kelly's masterpiece

Erika's pony

Bradley's cannibal pumpkin

Molly's pumpkin was like a rock!!  I kid you not.  I've never experienced anything like it before!  I gave up after having Nate muscle out the lid and scooping the guts.  I couldn't penetrate the surface for ANYTHING!  It even sounded like a chunk of wood when we set it on the steps.  So sorry, Molly, no face.

The traditional picture.  Someday I will get the lighting right on this.  But I can't not take it :)