The gangOctober brings with it cooler weather, fall leaves and our one and only party. Don't mistake me on that one. We do birthday parties ALL THE TIME. I am talking about hosting something close to a real party. We have people over and we go out, but when it comes to big bashes. The annual pumpkin carving party with our Japanese friends is the only one we do. This was our 8th year! It's really hard to believe that we've been around for 8 Halloweens! Cedar wasn't even one when we hosted our first one. That one was so much fun. We invited Jonathon's boss and his family over to carve pumpkins and make pizza. Halloween was very new to them, so when we told them to bring pumpkins to carve, they brought one little pie pumpkin for all 5 of them. We had a ball telling them about our funny Halloween traditions, and this little get together became an annual thing.
The spread
The spread
Taking out the guts.This year was another first for one of our party. A family we are friends with is hosting a Japanese teenager for the school year. We invited their family and were super excited when Moeko got to stay even after the rest of the family had to cut our to make it to a play the kids were in. 
Designing and planning
She had never carved a pumpkin and really didn't like the "getting the guts out" part. When we took every thing outside and lit them though, her face and reaction were priceless!
Designing and planning
Olive admiring Jonathon's creation
Cedar deep in concentration. (Aspen and Olive were too quick to get pictures of.)
Cedar's mummy
Aspen's kitty
Olive's face
Jonathon's pumpkinWe started with Cedar's 8:30am football game. Brr!
After that it was a mad dash to get all of the last minute details taken care of for the pumpkin party AND Aspen's birthday party.
Aspen's party ended up being really small. But who needs tons of friends over, when you've got a brother and a sister ready to liven things up?! Even though it was small, it was super fun and full of all the right ingredients for a birthday party.
It was a super busy, but super fun day. Next up... finishing painting the bathroom before Dad comes!
4 comments:
I love your annual Japanese pumpkin party. I think it is such a fun and unique tradition. Your kids are very talented pumpkin carvers. We have never carved pumpkins here, only painted, but I think this year we are finally going to let them do it the real way.
Your post also reminds me that I have to hurry and throw together a quick and small party for Alex before we go to California.
What a fun tradition! Bravo to you, as busy a mother and wife and Church member, and community lady and school supporter as you are! I love the picture with all the pumpkins lit at night. And am very impressed with the great carvings. There's a lot of talent there!
It's always a joy to see the annual pumpkin party results. What a great tradition. I hope Aspen's birthday week will be fun for her. I know she had a big birthday event coming to Utah. We love you all, and appreciate being kept in the loop. Thank heavens for blogging. xoxoox
Happy Birthday Aspen
I wanted to go your Party.
I remember last year party.
I have thinking.....
I'm going to curve pumpkins and Trick or Treat in Japan.
Because We love American tradition!
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