Punkin' Carvin' Contest

Each year my mother-in-law has a carving contest at her house. This year she even grew the pumpkins herself! The kids (and some of the adults) look forward to this all year. I thought it was adorable that my nephew told me it was a "punkin' carvin' contest." Kids between the ages of 2 and 4 talk so cute! I was Abby's partner, and she was ALL about cleaning out the pumpkin. She lost interest after that, but hurried back to show off when Grandma was ready to judge!

Olivia's partner was Uncle Haizer. They got REALLY creative and their pumpkin was voted most original...

Liv thought this was funny because they used a template. But, it IS pretty cool! Coyotes are original, and she had fun watching Haizer do the detailed work while she jumped on the tramp with her cousin:).

My niece and nephew and their parents really did get original and designed SpongeBob and pineapple under the sea in their pumpkins:And my sis-in-law and my other nephew did some original designs too.
You can't really tell in these pictures, but they are all carved out and then accented with paint. I think it is funny that the pirate and the little guy seem to be eyeing one another! So, everyone lined up so that Grandma could judge their work, the grand prize was a Department 56 Halloween village set. But, how could Grandma choose one winner? Each pumpkin was given a title and each child an XXL bag of M&M's; the grand prize was given in a drawing. "Grandma's are ALWAYS fair," at least that is what Abby said on the way home:).

Tomorrow night the carvin' fun continues at my mom's house...