Pumpkin Carving, Leaf Jumping, and Pre Trick-or-Treating

Pumpkin carving is always fun and messy.  Ross loved the idea of using a knife to cut the pumpkin, but didn't want to do any of the scooping pumpkin guts out.  "My hands will get all sticky!" - his mom's issue of sticky fingers has been passed down to him.  He did scoop some out so he could help carve the face in the end. :)
 

Carving pumpkin fun :) Ross coming to terms with scooping out pumpkin guts

Ruby trying to figure out what's going on.

Ross decided he wanted a happy face for his pumpkin that had shark teeth - quite creative.  He was really excited to see the finished product and dad did a great job getting just the look Ross wanted. :)
 

Love this face :)

A happy shark in the back next to a car (of course).

We carved a kitty face for Ruby and she adored it - still adores it every time she sees it.  She, of course, had to color it - she's obsessed with coloring.  I have a feeling my walls are in danger - she's already gotten to tables, chairs, toys - anything she can get her hands on.  She colored on her belly and the rest of the day she'd lift up her shirt and say, "Oh no!  Color!  Uh-oh!  Color!" as she'd point to the marker all over her belly that she intentionally drew.  She cracks us up.
 

Ruby's colorful kitty :)

She won't hold still :)

Steve tried a new tactic for his pumpkin and mine was just a classic face this year.  Grandpa Don decided to do a self portrait - just kidding. :)  But the best part of all was when we lit them up outside.  Steve's dad was a fire investigator for a lot of years so you can imagine how many candles they really keep on hand - like nil. ;)  They found a long stick one and split it between the five of them - it burned out within about 3 minutes, but gave us enough time to see them in all their glory. :)

The lighting of the pumpkin pictures are pending...
 
The leaves have been falling like crazy lately and Ross and Ruby have been loving it.  We can't make a pile before they're jumping on it and throwing the leaves everywhere.  Ross prefers jumping - Ruby prefers tromping. :)

Steve letting Ruby do the work ;)

Ruby was very possessive of the rake.

LOVE this picture :)

We also tried out trick or treating with our cousin Alex at the Riverwoods which was super cute - except for Ruby throwing a handful of tantrums.  It's so funny how quickly kids understand the candy part of Halloween more than even the dressing up part.  Every time someone handed Ruby a candy she immediately wanted it opened so she could eat it.  We only went to five places because of that - it was either that or deal with insane tantrums.  Ross had a great time there though and was so sweet saying Trick-or-Treat and Thank-you for every candy he got.  Fun festivities :)

Ruby went as a fairy - loved her skirt and wings but didn't want the crown or wand.

Ross took a break from being a fireman and went for a motorcycle dude. :)  Sound effects and all!

The even had a s'more station and Grandma and Ross roasted some marshmallows :)