Pumpkin Pickin

We went to the Tri-State Pumpkin Barn in East Dubuque on Sunday and saw all kinds of beautiful pumpkins...

...Then had a little de ja vu when I took this picture of the kids.  Last time we took this picture, Wynne was in a baby stroller!

After gasping at the prices ($20 on up!), we backtracked to our neck of the woods.  There's a little farm on County O that always has some good pumpkins for sale.

  I think it was more fun for the kids to scamper about and pick their own pumpkin, anyway!  (Sure wish our own weed patch would have sprouted some pumpkins this year....turns out we had a few volunteers grow up in the pasture, but nothing in the  garden.  Go figure!)

Here's a cute little pumpkin ;)

Paigey selected a very big fruit for this year's carving party!

Nothing like scooping out a slimy pumpkin to lower your stress levels.

Shae's pumpkin is crying for some reason.  Don't know why because I think it's pretty cute!

Paige and her friend with the quizzical eyebrows ;)

Cy working on his guy...

He calls him Marco, which seems very appropriate with the thin Italian mustache.

Ally is turning into a carving professional, with her detailed templates and all.

See how it says "Welcome" ?  I think she did a fabulous job!

Actually ALL of the kids did a great job carving their pumpkins.  (with Dad's help;)  This is one of my favorite pictures to take every year.  The annual pumpkins-on-the-porch-pic!

Such big smiles!!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face.--Proverbs 15:13