Carving Pumpkins

Early in October, Grandpa Richard called me to invite us over to their house on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and pumpkin carving.  We set the date for October 19th.  It was a game day, BYU was playing Houston at Houston.  Luckily, my Dad has cable, so we planned to watch the game there with them.  Jenny and her kids came as well, so it was quite the party!

Grandpa Richard and Grandma Ruth Ann have so much fun when the kids come over.  Grandma put together little goodie bags for each of the kids, complete with fun Halloween toys.  The boys got these awesome goggles...

...and the girls got magic wands and spider rings.

After the kids had finished digging through their bags, they brought out the toys and played while the parents helped getting lunch on the table.

Grandpa Richard grilled burgers and dogs, and Grandma Ruth Ann put out quite the spread of relish trays and salads.  Everyone ate their fill...and then some more!

Even Luke feasted on the fare!  Mostly the scrumptious sugar cookies that Grandma made.  He loved every single frosting-filled bite!

Grandma was happy to help him wash up. :)

Then we carved and painted pumpkins!  The weather was beautiful, so we were able to go outside on Grandma and Grandpa's gorgeous deck.  Which was a lifesaver with all the kids plus the pumpkin guts. :)  Some of us used patterns out of the carving kits.  But the inner-artist in Grandpa Richard demanded a freehand rendition.  He helped a couple grandkids out with designs.

Funny, but the adults always end up carving WAY past when the kids are done.  So, while the parents and grandparents put the finishing touches on the pumpkins, the kids worked on some crafts that Grandma had bought for them.

But they were more than happy to take credit for the finished products!  Stinkin' kids...but their the cutest stinkin' kids!

What an afternoon of fun!  We managed to get all that eating and carving done...and during the first half of the game!  Luke needed a nap, and Danny wanted to finish watching the game.  So Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Jenny, offered to take the kids on a walk to a nearby park to play so the house would be quiet for Luke.  Danny and I were obviously grateful!  Luke had a wonderful nap, the Cougars won, and the kids had a blast working their wiggles out before the car ride home.  Win-win-win!

Thanks, Grandpa Richard and Grandma Ruth Ann, for an awesome day!  We made so many fun memories, and we look forward to next year's Carving Extravaganza!  We love you!