Voila!

Our pumpkins having been safely brought home from the pumpkin patch, now the next step begins. I would like to call it a carving contest. But let's be honest, it really is no contest. Keith definitely has the upper hand in this area.

We always carve the boys' pumpkins first. Roman, now that he is older, always designs his own. He draws out what he wants on paper. He then draws it on his pumpkin with marker. And then, I cut it out for him. Roman is the only one who seems to want to do anything that is traditional Halloween for his pumpkin.

Blaise, hard at work on his pumpkin

Roman, showing off his handiwork

Roman's finished jack-o'-lantern

We always try to choose something cute for Blaise, something we think he will like. Keith usually ends up doing this pumpkin as well, since cute usually means a little complicated as well. This year, it's a lion. (Okay, maybe not "cute," but definitely Blaise.)

Blaise's pumpkin: a lion

Close up of Blaise's (well, Keith's) lion

Every year, my indecisiveness makes itself known, since I can never decide what to carve on my pumpkin. For the last several years, after hours wasted on the internet looking at pumpkin stencils, I always fall into default mode and carve a flower. This year, I branched out into another direction: art. Thus, Mona Lisa. Or at least, an attempt of Mona Lisa.

My pumpkin: Mona Lisa

Keith is the "master carver" in our house. He has more patience and attention to detail that I do. Every year, Keith tries to see if he can challenge himself. After some of the best pumpkin stencils were taken off the web due to some copyright technicality, we thought we wouldn't be able to find any more decent stencils. But there still are some, hidden in obscure places.

Here are the steps of developing a masterpiece jack-0'-lantern:

Step 1: Find the perfect stencil
This year, it comes from Stoneykins. This Jack Sparrow pattern was perfect.

This is what the stencil looks like when it is printed

Step 2: Transfer the pattern to the pumpkin, and carve, carve, carve. Keith estimates he spent 6 hours transferring the pattern (punching holes along the edges of the pattern) and then carving the pattern out.

This is what the pumpkin will look like when the carving is done.
(Or what it can look like if you are good at it)

Step 3: Light up! You always wonder how the pumpkin will look like after all that time spent carving. And you never know, until you light the candle.

Keith's pumpkin: Captain Jack Sparrow

Close up of Keith's pumpkin
The detail in the face is impressive

Every year, the pumpkins keep getting better. Keith is no longer allowed to say that he is not artistic. I mean, just look at what he make with a knife and a pumpkin!

(If anyone wants me to post pictures of pumpkins from previous years, just let me know.)