85% degrees! We're still carving pumpkins!

Even though it still feels like mid-July here in Hong Kong, I was sick of living life as if fall (and Halloween) doesn't exist elsewhere in the world. So, on a trip to the store the other day, Pete and I purchased a carving pumpkin, several small "decorative pumpkins," and a gourd. (One must have a gourd in the fall!) Yesterday in the mail, I received my Amazon order which included several Christmas DVD's ("The Grinch That Stole Christmas" and Christmas Classics, such as "Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer," "Santa Clause is Coming to Town," and "Frost the Snowman"), as well as a Charlie Brown Collection, which includes "The Great Pumpkin" and a Thanksgiving and Christmas specials. With "The Great Pumpkin" in hand, I knew it was time to carve the pumpkin.

Lucy got to play with the pumpkin for a bit before the carving began.

She checked out how it tasted, of course.

She decided it was a very good pumpkin.

It also provided a perfect hiding place.

We introduced her to Charlie Brown while the carving took place.

Mom showed Lucy how to cut an excellent top.

Lucy monitored my progress.

When we were finished we displayed our work and Lucy explored her very first Jack-o-lantern!

Mom loves her new Nikon, but she can't figure out how to take a picture without the flash in a way that doesn't end up with these funky, artsy pics - Shannon? Help!

I love this time of year!