The Great Pumpkin

There are two things that I plant in my garden just for fun. One is mammoth sunflowers and the other is pumpkins. I plant the sunflowers because I love how they look, tall and strong up against my garden fence, and I like seeing the birds eat the seeds in the fall. I plant the pumpkins for my kids but I have to admit, I plant them for myself too. I love watching them get huge. The only downside to the pumpkins is that they can take up half of my garden plot. I still think it's worth it.

Here is little D checking out a medium sized one. The kids scouted out and claimed "their" pumpkin. Little D has his pocket knife (that he's not supposed to have until he's a cub scout) ready to cut the vines.


Little D and Ray-Ray are trying to move a bigger one.


Trying....heave! ho! (Lou is cheering them on.)


After failed attempts at lifting, they realized their best bet is to roll.


It takes two. That pumpkin was very heavy. I couldn't lift it either.


Made it to the lawn (where is Dad when we need some muscle?).


Lou and little D are loving the pumpkins.


We got six good sized pumpkins this year. Last year we got nine but they were smaller. The unique thing about home grown pumpkins is you get funky shaped ones with major flat spots. It'll give our future jack-o-lanterns some character.