Update for Thursday, December 6

Greetings everyone (the three of you who are still checking-in, Grandpaw, Auntie Tara, & Aunt Linny). It seems that my posting habit is to share a batch of photos right before the next special occasion. So, as Christmas will be upon us in a few days, and without further ado - may I present the sweet little lion:



Halloween is a special holiday at The Blue House. All of us have a surprising dedication to pumpkin picking & carving, not to mention the thrill of a large quantity of candy around the house (why is it that we buy 15 pounds of candy for 5 trick-or-treaters?)

As in years past, we all went out to our favorite local farm and wandered around their fields choosing just the right pumpkins. This year, we invited a few of our friends to join us - here's Katie bringing Spencer Brown and his Mom up to the barn:


We were lucky to arrive early enough to help the farmer feed his baby cows:



Katie & Spencer then hitched a ride down to the farthest reaches of the pumpkin patch (where we're convinced the best pumpkins reside):


The kids (big and little) picked out their pumpkins and then the little kids sat still for a series of funny pictures. I think Katie told a joke to Spencer that fell flat:







Daddy helped Katie put her pumpkins in the wheelbarrow and we headed back to the barn:





Once we got home, Katie went to take a nap, and the rest of us started carving. Here's our friend Bridget scooping guts:


And Auntie Liz with her usual gruesome creation:


Uncle Matt carved so many pumpkins, it had lasting effects on his brain:


Spencer and his Mom created a happy masterpiece:


When Katie awoke, most of our party had disbursed, but Bridget hung around and helped Katie decorate her pumpkin with markers and stickers:



They also had fun talking into the hollowed-out pumpkin, as it makes your voice sound echo-y:



Katie toured the kitchen, looking at all the carved pumpkins. After spending a considerable time reviewing Auntie Liz's work, she declared "it's a face":


So, I apologize for being photo-crazy for this post - I don't usually take great pictures, but the good lighting at the pumpkin patch, and luck with a new camera have made me a bit giddy. Toodle-loo from the pumpkin crew!