Halloween is Approaching!

This is my favorite time of year! I love fall, I love the change in the leaves, the weather, and especially the smell and feel of the air. Fall decorations are my favorite as well; all the colors are bold and very rich in nature. And to top it all off, one of my favorite holidays (Halloween) is found within this amazing season.

One of our traditions during the fall is to go up to Idaho and pick out our pumpkins in a “real” pumpkin patch. In addition, last night we had our annual pumpkin carving celebration. We’ve been doing this for over 10++ years. It first started with just my mother and I when growing up. Now it has expanded into my family. We all get together – the place doesn’t matter – and carve pumpkins. We usually have two different soups, corn bread, and of course some candy.

After all the carving is done, each year we place all the pumpkins on the table and admire our work, take hundreds of wasteful pictures (thanks goodness for digital) and admire our work.

We are always trying new things with pumpkins. On the Today show a couple of days ago, they had a special on pumpkin carving with power tools. I thought I would try it! I have to admit, it was fast, easy and fun to try! At the same time a new challenge as I didn’t know what to carve. So here is our poke-a-dot pumpkin made by using a drill and various drill bits!

As the kids get older the more involved they become in the process. This year Benjmain wanted to carve his own pumpkin. Thankfully this did not last too long and he helped with cutting out some of the mouth of his pumpkin and then played the rest of the time. Once completed Benjmain had to pose with his pumpkin!


I am so thankful for family traditions. I truly believe that wholesome traditions that are renewed and bring the family closer together will be etched into our souls our lives! These are the moments that our children will reflect upon, always remember, and thank God for!

What are some of your family traditions?

The Scarcrow Festival 2008!

Kids - Oh how we love them...

Well, for the past couple of days, my wife and kids have been in Idaho. As you can tell by the time, I am trying to take advantage of every moment! *grin* It’s funny; the house is sooo quite that I hear the kitchen clock ticking in the background. I almost feel I need to turn the TV on just to have some noise in the background - Night Side might be a better option. I love the Night Side. One of the best programs on the radio!

So what have I done with my time? Well last night I had to watch Knight Rider – I know, I know what you’re going to say but I loved it when I was little – I’m just trying to give it chance. After that, I headed out to the movie theater to catch Dark Night again and returned a movie that I didn’t watch the whole time we rented it. That night was a bust.

So tonight I made a very overdue visit to my mother; today is her birthday. I took her out to a nice dinner and we enjoyed each other’s time. She asked me to run an errand for her which included another overdue visit with my grandparents. And now here I am enjoying my evening on the computer.

It is nice to have some alone time, but then I begin to start to feel like I should be doing something. I think to myself: you should finish painting, or you should clean the house or work on your calling… But I just can’t; I feel like I need to relax and enjoy this time as my wife will be out of town the beginning of the week and then I will be alone with the kids for 3 days.

What do you do when you find yourself in this predicament?