Pumpkin Carvin' Par-TAY!

This party is becoming a standout for both kids, it seems. Ernie remembered so much about last year, and we had to do a daily countdown until the pumpkin carvin' party. I'm beginning to get worried I won't ever be able to vary the treat menu, because he always wants everything, and more!
Here's the boo-fet this year. Witches' hats, spooky smiles, pumpkin cupcakes, acorns, mini caramel apples, and frankenstein and ghost marshmallow pops.

Some serious carving people. This is a contest, you know!

A new tradition that we definately HAVE to repeat after its success this year: the haunted garage. We just had glow-stick ghosts hanging about with spooky sound effects and a ghoul in the doorway. Kitt insisted several times "I'm not going in there" before Ernie won him over. The boys spent most of the time ghostbusting after that.

In-between attacking hanging balloons and loading up on the unsupervised sugar-fest in the house, Ernie stopped to make a few stabs at a pumpkin.

Lenora loved the haunted garage as well. She mostly asked gentleman to accompany her "Tommon, Dussy, tommon." Replace Dusty with Joe, Grandpa, Rob. You get the idea. But her favorite party feature was the pile of leaves. Good thing Mom took care to remind Dad that we wanted a "no poo" pile.

The winner of "Best Sport" AND "Most Likely to Have Gone Home with Crushed Leaves in His Underpants" awards go to Dusty Walsh!

Here's our neighbor friend Janet carving her first pumpkin ever! She picked one with a super-thick rind, but did a great job and WON "Spookiest!"

Here's our pumpkin line-up. Other award-winners included Lisa Wells for "Most Traditional," Grandma Chris Mohr for "Most Original," and Grandpa Darrell Mohr for "Silliest." Way to go, Carvers!

And we've already got more ideas for next year . . .