It’s October and for me and the fam that means gearing up for our 5th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest! It’s the first big family get-together of the season!
I started our 1st get together and called it The Autumn Party! We had loads of fun foods and everyone dressed in Autumn colors so we could snap a (big) family picture. After lunch my cousin, Buddy started handing out my pumpkins from the front porch! Before I knew it this was happening!
Always competitive, we decided to have a contest! These were some of those pumpkins from the very first year…
The next year I almost didn’t have a party, it’s such a busy time of year. Everyone’s calendars start to fill up but that get-together was one of the last we’d have with my sweet Mom…I can’t tell you how happy I am that I went ahead with the party. This year we called it the Pumpkin Carving Contest. Everyone chose a partner, brought a pumpkin, carving tools and a pattern…it was a throw- down!
Here’s a picture of Mom and Dad on that chilly Saturday afternoon in October 2005. In just 2 short months we would lose Mom suddenly to a heart condition.
This Autumn day, that almost didn’t happen, has turned out to be an almost sacred day to me. It’s memory forever etched in my heart. Like all things profound, those memories are both precious and painful at the same time. I no longer take for granted our family times, no matter how much trouble and effort they take…
Here are the finished pumpkins from that year…we were improving our pumpkin carving skills…
The year after Mom left us we shut down production on all family get-togethers. We all needed to grieve in our own way. But in 2007 we did what Mom would have wanted, we started up the traditions again….Here are some of us carving for the 3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest!
We upped our game this year…here are some pics of the finished products…(Steve Erwin in the bottom right corner was the winner this year!)
And last year was our 4th Annual Pumpkin Carving Party! Really, my family is just too competitive! You should have seen the tools…some were electric.
Here’s the only dark room in my house! We light up the pumpkins and get ready for the judging…
Had to put in a few pics of the pumpkins from last year…the fam brought their A-Game!
Tiger Woods won…my nephew Zach is crazy good at carving faces!(And we luvs us some Tiger Woods!)
The UGA helmet got the close 2nd!My nephew Trey, UGA grad, did this free-hand!
I’m going to be sharing more about the fun decorations and yumalicious food for the Pumpkin Carving Party over the next couple of weeks!
I thought some of you may want to start this tradition if you don’t already do a Fall party. But whatever you do this holiday season, do it with an open and thankful heart. We never know when we’re living a sacred day. One that will forever be etched in our hearts. Love to each and every one of you Peeps.
(I wrote about the party prep for the 2008 Pumpkin Carving several times, you can find them here)
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
What a great time and your pumpkins are awesome!
What a fun family tradition! Those carved pumpkins look amazing!
Jane
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Jan’s Easy Shower Curtains =-.
great job. we love to do the fancy ones as well. I hope you will post to “Celebrate the Holidays” on Wed.
cheri
.-= cheri peoples´s last blog ..The Knock Off Knock Out party & THE Give-a-way Day 12 =-.
Thanks for sharing your family tradition. It’s wonderful! Happy Halloween!
.-= Lorna´s last blog ..Metamorphosis Monday Kitchen Transformation =-.
Boy, those are some seriously carved pumpkins!! Amazing!!! how fun!
Suzanne
.-= suzanne´s last blog ..Some lovely bedrooms….. =-.
What an inspiring story! Love your pumpkin carving party idea. Looks like so much fun and like you say, I great way to make memories!!
.-= marsha´s last blog ..Classy Gift Wrapping Ideas =-.
It was so much fun to see how the pumpkin carving went from basic (still cute) to detailed. Your family really does pumpkin carving right!!! What a great family get together….and I think you are right…your mom would have wanted it that way!
Jane
First, I am so sorry to hear about the sudden passing of your mother.
I think this is a FABULOUS idea! I would love to start this tradition in my family.
I’m going with a few of them today to a local pumpkin patch. I’ll see what they think.
You have a very creative bunch!
.-= sherri´s last blog ..We STILL need the Italians! =-.
One of my favorite things about you is how intentional you are with your decorating and party planning! You think of everything and go to such great lengths to ensure everyone has a great time. I can’t wait to see the pics from this fall’s carving contest
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..Fall =-.
My favorite thing was the picture of your mother studying the directions. She could do anything–make anything–just like someone else I know.
Love, Love, Love the Fall Pumpkin Carving Party Idea! I just may try and start a new tradition! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for a beautifully touching post. What a great reminder to live each day as if it were a sacred day . . . Amen! (How often I have to remind myself that it’s “my people,” not my projects , that are important.) Your mom would be proud.
Grins and blessings!
Pamm
.-= Pamm Muzslay´s last blog ..Feelin’ Some Fall! =-.
First of all, Robin, I want to say how sorry I am that you olost your Mother. Mine died 19 years ago way too early but she too had heart problems and emphysema. Now, I LOVE the idea of a family get together to carve pumpkins! I am going to TRY to get this idea together with my kids. Your pumpkins turned out beautifully!!!!!!!!!!! Love all the inspiration you give us!!!! Love, Pinky
Those pumpkins are awesome!
.-= Mimi´s last blog ..Oversized…breasts? =-.
Wow I am super impressed what a fun tradition!!
Next monday I am hosting a pumpkin roundup and would love for you to join in.
Here are the details.
http://newlyweds.wordpress.com/2009/10/12/pumpkin-round-up/
.-= Jenna @ Newlyweds´s last blog ..Pumpkin Pancakes with Pears =-.
Great ideas! Fun Family tradition…Love it!
.-= The style Sister´s last blog ..Halloween Treats and Decorating Ideas =-.
Listening to a song I Hope You Dance……the words are very inspirational
much like your posts. You are a very special person Robin and I don’t know anyone who loves their family as much as you. Your heart is so big and loving
to everyone. You are a blessing from God. Thank you for all your hard work and planning.
Love you,
Brenda
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