Oct. 31, 2009 Pumpkin Carving and Trick or Treating

We had our annual pumpkin carving at Maw and Paws. I just love this time of year! Fall is our favorite season, and the pumpkin carving is our most anticipated fall activity. This time, Leah brought chili and sides, I brought broccoli cornbread, and for dessert Coleen made the perfect fall treat: caramel apples.

It was fun to watch the kids-they get so creative with their pumpkins. No longer is a simple "pumpkin face" sufficient. These little artists take their pumpkin designs very seriously. Even Ava, who's still to young to draw on her pumpkin, knew exactly what she wanted: "a witch on a broomstick and two flying ghosts, one on each side of the witch", and gave specific orders to me to draw, then Trey to cut out. It was funny watching Trey get further behind as several pumpkins piled up and the designs got more complicated. He almost went nuts cutting out the whiskers on Zoe's cat. But it was all worth it to see the kids all lined up proudly displaying their pumpkins, and then seeing Ava's all lit up on the porch.

After the carving, Coleen, Trey and I took the girls trick-or-treating. We just made a few stops to see some special people. First was Mr. Tom and Mrs. Katie's, where we met up with Ava and Isabel's little church friends.

and their moms:

and their grandmothers, too!

Next stop was Mrs. Retta's house for lots of goodies and a visit. We just adore Mrs. Retta, she's very special to us. She is always doing little things for the kids and helping me with them.

Then we went to trick-or-treat Grammy:

Ava and Annabelle