I LOVE John’s family.  Even though John’s four siblings are all grown up, my in laws still enjoy doing all the things the kids did growing up. So yes, that means we still decorate Easter eggs, carve pumpkins and sing happy birthday to Jesus.

This past weekend the whole family went to the pumpkin patch and picked out the perfect pumpkin. We had one mission in mind — to carve the best pumpkin. Everyone searched high and low through the corn maze and the sunflower forest and the freaky scarecrows and the vast pumpkin fields for the best possible one. One with a flat face, perfectly round, not too scarred, and not too pricey.

We finally found a great one — though not the huge one that John had to hoist up for a pic! (that was way expensive — we’re talking $80. Not to mention we have no place to store it).

Then we went back to the house and carved them up. John’s brother and sister-in-law brought their special pumpkin carving tools (very precise instruments. They’re such the professionals). And we dug in and made some amazing pumpkins.

Also, the flame you see jumping out of the flame-eyed pumpkin at the end? That came from packing the insides with tissue paper soaked in lighter fluid. Did we need the lighter fluid? Of course not. Did my husband and brother-in-laws want the lighter fluid? Absolutely.

I heard there was a pumpkin shortage this year. I think they are all at this place!This beauty was the one we took home.
There was a contest going on of who could design the best scarecrow. It was supposed to be designed by elementary school students, but obviously dad helped out with this one. I love that my man can pick up a ridiculously huge pumpkin. Argh!John got a little inspiration for his design. So which pumpkin design do you like the most? You be the judge!