california fall.

So it all started a few weeks ago when I decided it would be fun to have a "Fall Party" at our house near Halloween. So the people were invited, the food bought, the activities planned, and this is what we ended up with!

It was a gorgeous October day. high 70's to low 80's. clear skies. gorgeous mountains. All-around perfect day for this get-together.




First was our Pumpkin Carving contest. We split up into eclectic teams (so there were no family members on a team) and we each got a pumpkin and some carving tools and set up at various stations around the back yard.



I just thought this was a super cute and mischievous pic of Tylee. (Who the boys kept referring to as a "he" since her real name is Tyler-Ryan. They said I was cruel for naming her that and that all the doggies at the playground probably make fun of her.)


So here are the teams:


Jonathan, Cody and Joey. No surprise that this team took the longest to complete their pumpkin. Having a current PhD student of engineering on the team really makes for complex pumpkin carving.



This was the dream-team. Bob, Anthony and Garrett. I think Anthony did most of the yucky seed-sorting work. Bob did the initial carving and Garrett just observed and took the credit later.



This was my team (i am not documented due to being the documenter). Justin did a great job drawing on the pumpkin, and Petter helped out with some carving and the seed-sorting. I did the majority of the carving, which is not normal, because i have a rather unsteady hand. But it turned out ok.



This is the final product of this team. A pixelated Pumpkin. I think it won most complex and modern or something like that. It really was clever and well done.




This is our final product. It was a vampire-ish pumpkin. It won most scary and most creative nose/eyes combo.




This team won most original. I wish I had gotten a picture of the back. They had this awesome clown face they were going to carve, but I think by the time the got the majority of it done, there wasn't enough pumpkin to hold it together. so there was a giant hole in it where Garrett is putting his face. Also, none of them wanted to pose for a picture. I think Anthony even ran away and hid behind the garage. =P




We didn't have a before picture on this team, but this is the after product. They won the most Sentimental I think? something about being unique because it wasn't a face, but rather some leaves and a tree or something. They definitely sat there for a long time at the beginning just looking at the pumpkin and hoping some inspiration would hit them like lightening. They also had a fantastic re-movable stem (I think it broke?) but they got a screw and screwed it back on. genius. (David, my dad Tom and Aly)



In between carving, we would make little trips inside to the food table. There are like four different kinds of dips, three kinds of chip things and some veggies to ease the guilt. We do a LOT of eating. And the men do a lot of talking. It's pretty wonderful.



Ty wandered inside and was intently staring at the ground by Garrett's feet hoping he would drop something. Oh and notice how the back half of her is this awkward gray color? well I gave her a bath yesterday, forgot to spray down the dry dirt in the garden and she went and rolled in it. dumb dog.




These are all the ladies who slaved away in the kitchen to provide us with an AMAZING dinner. Seriously, these ladies know how to cook. And if Lynette is involved, you can't not eat. She sorta just brings it to you and coerces you into eating. doesn't hurt the fact that she has these glorious creations that just delight the palate and dance on the taste-buds. it's awesome. (L-R: Lynette, Lidia, Robin and Mumzy/Jody)




Photo Sesh with Natalie. First I just told her to smile



Then she wanted to see it and excitedly yelled, "SILLY PICTURE TIME!"
so we did a silly picture.



Then she said, "Ok now we need a grumpy picture."

she's so cute.

Overall, it was such a great afternoon/evening. Such a sweet group of people. Those teenage boys and I are such a random group. We got in an argument about WWII that lasted much longer than needed, and everyone was yelling over each other. When Anthony tries to get a point across he calls me woman...and then when I throw my hands up in exasperation he says, "Are you mad? Just a little bit?"
And then David has the most expansive repertoire of short-jokes (it really is impressive) which he inserts into the conversation whenever he can.
Pretty sure both of them just enjoy making fun of me for their own personal entertainment.
Around the dinner table, we laugh and share stories and get deep and bond. Not gonna lie, some of my favorite people represented in these pics.
love you guys.

Quote of the night:
"I have gas, but I'm too lazy to get up and move for you all."
(this will remain anonymous even though he probably doesn't read my blog-but seriously, this made me laugh. i love how we've reached this level of chill)