The Great Pumpkin Part II

Carving the eyes. . . such intensity!

I am not sure what Mason is doing, but he is having fun doing it!

The finished product. The star like eyes are a signature feature on Maddison's faces.

It's the Great Pumpkin!

Maddie took the whole "pumpkin carving" activity very seriously. She wanted it to be just so, and she put forth a great deal of effort to get it just right.

Mason loved the pumpkin carving tools. He scrapped, punched, outlined and sawed every inch of the pumpkin that he could sneak by us. The finished product has quite a few "flaws" in it that he was very proud of!

Maddison "sketched" what she wanted the jack-o-lantern's face to look like. She is a perfectionist when it comes to art. She spearheaded the project from sketch to finish!

The kids had a hard time believing that the meat of the pumpkin was what pie was made from. Papa tried to get them to try a bite. I caught this look on Mason's face at the thought of eating that "yucky stuff". I took a mouthfull to try to get them to sample it, but they would have none of it.

We looked for the ugliest, biggest pumpkin that we could find this year. This is the backside of our beast before we did anything to it. We thought about keeping it just like this. Mason pointed out that it already had a scarey face!

Easy Rider!

I know, I know. Kids and lawnmowers don't mix. But just once, before the mower is put up for the season, Papa took the kids for a ride (mower disengaged, of course!). Shy, quiet Maddison is our thrill seeker. She loves the fastest, steepest, scariest rides at the amusement park. Little daredevil, Mason, holds back when it comes to stomach flopping events. He will walk on any cement wall and will jump from a dining room table, but he tends to be cautious when it comes to moving objects. Anyway, Maddie persuaded her papa to take her for a turn or two, and then Mason spotted them and wanted to try. Maddie could have gone in circles all day if Papa had been willing (is it my imagination, or is that pure joy on her face?).

On a separate note, we attended a most wonderful wedding last weekend. Jenny and Rhys got married in front of a standing room only crowd. But the best part was the dinner and party after the wedding. We entered the reception hall to a gloriously decorated feast for the eyes. The colors were black and white, and the tables held trees trimmed with crystals and flickering globes. Behind the head table was a modern piece (made from twigs) of lights. There were slushie fountains of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, a buffet with 3 meat choices (including boiled jumbo shrimp) and a dessert table with tuxedo white and chocolate covered strawberries, cake, cupcakes, mints and a great nut mixture (special recipe of the grooms family). Each place setting held a treat bag with two dipped jumbo pretzels rolled in a nut mixture. I am telling you, it was spectacular. I got to visit with a cousin I don't see often (Hi Toma!), and an aunt. After the meal, another cousin DJ'd and we enjoyed watching the dancing. The bride and groom filtered through the crowd visiting with the guests. This is the second wedding in two weeks, each event special and different as the couples hosting them. The very sad part was that I forgot my camera, so I have to be as descriptive as possible to share the event. Both weddings were memorable and oh so much fun! When growing up, I remember weddings as rather somber affairs with a mostly punch and cake reception. I have to say, I rather prefer the way things are done these days (of course, as long as I don't have to pay!). Cheers to a long and happy married life!

Black Sunday

Okay, the title is a little misleading. On Sunday I had 3 little munchkins show up at my house all dressed in black. Maddie and Mason brought along their 2 year old cousin, Haley, for an afternoon at the farm. They were very protective of her and had a good time showing her the "ropes" at our house. We fashioned some more animal shelters, rode bikes and took a spin in the 4-wheeler. We have been so blessed to have a long run of beautiful fall weekends this autumn. I know winter is coming, but we are sure enjoying this great weather while it lasts.

Hey Mister Squirrel!

The kids got me a squirrel feeder for my birthday. We got it hung last weekend, now we are waiting for the little mammals to find it!

Through the Glass

Maddison helped me clean last weekend. I snapped this when she went outside to clean the full glass front door (hence the glare on her face). We have such a great time when Maddie and her brother come to our house. Maddison is usually our activity planner, and Mason and I are happy to follow along. Papa can usually be prodded to get out the 4 wheeler or help us have some other outdoor fun. It is kind of sad when nice weather gives into winter and cold days. We still get outside to play, but it is not as easy as it is in fall and summer. The fall in our area has been wonderful. A little shy of rain, but the weeks have been warm and sunny. I am not sure what will be on tap this weekend. We have another wedding to attend, but other than that we have no plans. Randy and I took some time off today to do a little early Christmas shopping. Wish us luck!

A Wedding Extravaganza!

Maddie is waiting for her turn on the dance floor with the groom, Jesse.

Josh was a groomsman, and Amanda was a bridedsmaid. They looked great in their coordinating colors.

We enjoyed a relaxing fall evening at the reception. After the outdoor wedding, the guests were treated to snacks while they waited for the photographer and wedding party to finish. Then an excellent supper was served followed by a DJ and dancing.

Mason does like the girls. He had his eye on Macie, the flower girl. Mason danced with her and then spent some time with her collecting roses off the cake table.

It was a wonderful family event. Jesse and Mandy (bride and groom) are good friends of Josh and Amanda, and the rest of our family. They hosted a great wedding and reception! Congratulations to them!