First Annuall Pumpkin Carving Contest

I came up with the idea of having a pumpkin carving contest and Savanna agreed it would be fun. So last night was the best time for everyone to be able to be here. Matt, unfortunately, agreed to go to Busch Gardens, with some friends,at the last minute so he couldn't join us. We invited Dave and Lee to join us and Savanna invited Lance. We started kind of late because Savanna didn't get off work until 6:30 and Ryan didn't leave work until after 7. So, we went ahead and ate and started gutting the pumpkins before Ryan got here. I had made a big pot of chili and we had some queso dip and Lee brought some yummy cornbread. After we finished eating we headed outside and started on the pumpkins. I had forgotten about the yuckiness of the insides and the smell too. It has been quite a while since we have carved pumpkins. Brad cleaned out my pumpkin and Dave cleaned out Lee's - yes,we wimped out. So, then the designing process started. It took a bit before we were all ready to start but we slowly decided on our designs and began. Dave and Savanna used patterns, I think Brad did too but he free handed (knived) his onto his pumpkin. They all turned out pretty neat - mine excepted it was lame! But, I was also taking pictures too, so I carved in between picture taking. Heres a few of the pictures that I took - more can be found on my facebook gallery

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=112505&id=701749222&l=6f8a20c831

Lee and Dave

Yuck!

Savanna, Lance and Brad

Roxie getting her some Lee love

Ryan contemplating his design

Dave working hard

Brad and Lance talking bikes while waiting for Savanna to finish her pumpkin

Working on her hard design

Almost done

All seven pumpkins

Savanna's weekend

Since I have decided to update this blog more often I am searching for things to say :-) Imagine that! Anyway, I haven't taken any family pictures lately but Savanna had a fun weekend and took lots of pictures so I snagged a couple from her Facebook account. She went to Lynchburg, VA with the college group from our church. They went to a thing called "Scaremare" which is a ministry put on by the students at Liberty University. Then on Saturday they went hiking and to an apple festival. So, here are the three pictures she took (she took more, these are just the ones that I snagged). She had a great time and her shenanigans would make her Ward family proud :-)

Savanna and Samantha Hoover. Sam's parents are in our (Brad and me) Sunday School class.

Sam and Savanna

Walleed and Sam. Walleed is close to having his medical degree. We are thinking about inviting him to our pumpkin carving this Friday just so Ryan will have a doctor on standby. He is known for cutting himself when he uses knives. LOL

Neglected

I think my blog is feeling neglected. I haven't written in a long time. I really haven't been doing too much. Working a lot, which is really nice. I have a few things coming up that I am sure will require blog posts :-) Today's picture is of Ryan. I took it last night at a session I did. He came along to help and we needed it! His payment this time - I'm stocking his fridge :-) Maybe I will try to post at least a picture every other day or so just so the blog doesn't feel so neglected :-) Brad and I are going up to Washington DC next week for almost a week and we are hoping to have time and energy to do some sightseeing so maybe things will get hopping next week! For now, this is all I have...