Punkin Carvin

When we ask the kids what they want their pumpkin carved into, it gets more and more interesting each year. Usually its a "whatever we have been watching a lot of on t.v. recently" theme.  (Side note: at the pumpkin patch Taryn said she wanted Justin Bieber carved into her pumpkin...not sure where that came from!!) Anyway, since we have 4 kids, we have 4 pumpkins which means 4 carvings. Until, someone brilliant (maybe it was me) came up with the encouragement to have the girls carve their own.  They were super excited which made Dan excited that he didn't have to carve 4 different pumpkins.  And, the girls did a pretty super job.

Everyone got in on the job of cleaning out the pumpkins.

Dan brought out the power tools this year. Apparently, Simon thought it was too loud.

There is one of my mixing beaters on the end of this drill to help pull the pulp away from the wall of the pumpkin.  Worked like a charm!

Annika has carved "tons of pumpkins" (this was her third year carving her own) so she was an expert.  She chose a flower this year.

Turned out pretty good!!

This year was Taryn's first year carving her pumpkin so she got a lot of advice (most of it un-solicited) from her sister.

Starting out with a simple jack-o-lantern.

Success!

Much like last year, Jake and the Neverland Pirates is a favorite around here.  Landon placed an order for Scully the Parrot.

I was impressed.

And in the spirit of the election, Dan chose to carve Old Glory into Simon's pumpkin.  I suppose if it was up to Simon he would have had Dan carve some of his favorites...an ode to goldfish, graham crackers, or perhaps sippy cups. In the end, the symbol of American freedom won out.

If that doesn't make you want to stand up and sing The Star Spangled Banner, I don't know what would!

The finished products!

 Have a fun and festive Reformation Day! :)

And for fun...go here and here and here for some more pumpkin carving from years past.