Smashing Pumpkins

Here are pictures of our carved pumpkins...smashing, aren't they? We decided Maryn wasn't old enough to use a knife, so we just let her paint her pumpkin. She probably wasn't old enough for paints either. Her first instinct when she got paint on her finger was to lick it off. Mmmmm. In her defense, she was sitting at the kitchen table...what else would you do at the kitchen table?? Maybe next year we'll let her carve.

Trying to Develope My Creative Side

For my birthday, I bought myself this great, cool, fancy, new sewing machine. Oh yeah, and it's neat, too. I bought a computerized one, well because, high-tech is better and I was feeling really old due to the fact that: A) I was buying a sewing machine, B) I just turned 27 (this was a particularly hard birthday for me) and C) lately I've noticed these huge bags under my eyes that no makeup in the world will ever cover up. The fact that it was "high-tech" made me not feel so old. My self esteem is worth the extra $50. (I got it on sale!!! Yeah for bargain hunters!!) Anywho, I did all my research, mostly online 'cause...we are living in a high-tech world, and I am a high-tech girl, and I decided that this was the one for me. So, I ordered it and it promptly shipped...thank goodness I don't have to wait 6 weeks for boxes anymore! I set it all up (took it out of the box) and got really excited at how pretty and white it was, but it turned out the only thing I needed to sew was a ripped seam on Maryn's blanket.

Well, I couldn't buy this expensive machine, then let it collect dust. That would be wrong! I needed a good project to do, so the sewing maching could feel like it fulfilled it's purpose in life...then I could let it collect dust. Fortunately for me, I received my Martha Stewart magazine in the mail. I found this great idea and I did it. Yes, I know, they are goofy coasters. And some of you may know that I've done a "coaster project" before. So, now I just have many coasters. What can I say, I hate water rings on my coffee table--they don't go well with the huge gashes Maryn has inflicted with her toys. Just kidding. Here are some pictures of my fabulous handy work. Please, "Ooooh" and "Ahhhhh" over it.

Here are the three different fabrics I used. A 1/4 yard of fabric made 8 coasters. The red swirlies and the stripes I sent to my sister. Though I rarely....well, never....send out birthday presents, much to her misfortune it was her birthday, and I needed a reason to make them.

An up close shot of the details. It's almost too exciting!

And, an action shot(with my favorite mug). I have actually used them...and so has Maryn. They are fun to give rides to in her choo choo train.

Pumpkin Pickin'

Well, Halloween is just around the corner, folks, and you know what that means! Pumpkins!!! So this weekend our little Roundy Family drove up to Huber's Family Farm in beautiful Starlight, Indiana to find the perfect pumpkin. The weather was really nice, and after sucking down over-priced smoothies and oreo ice cream, we hopped on a trailer to go out to the pumpkin fields.

As we climbed off the trailer, the stench of rotten pumpkin flesh filled our noses, and straightway I turned over "the one" only to find my hand was now covered in pumpkin guts. Ewww. Pumkin leaves make OK napkins, but they would not make good toilet paper. Very prickly. We quickly moved on, scouring the fields for a nice round pumpkin. Actually, I scoured and Kade fiddled with our new video camera (my b-day present with Kade's name on it). Atlast, I finally found a pumpkin that was mostly round and not molding. It must have been someone else's reject because it had already been picked and was sitting there looking lonely and sad, like it needed a good home. So, after I decided I didn't want to walk any further and nothing better turned up, it became "THE PERFECT PUMPKIN!!!" (imagine that said over a loud speaker that echoes a little bit) Here I am with our pumpkin...cute, isn't he?

After we found "THE PERFECT PUMPKIN!!!" (again with the speaker) we decided to head back. Maryn was having serious meltdowns at that point (it was waaaaaay past nap time...watch the first two videos below) and I really wanted to wash my hands. So we got back on a trailer and rode back to the store to pay. Here is where I need to stand up on my soap box. I don't know how these people sleep at night. First, we buy their very expensive snacks. And, don't get me started on the "craft shop" (stuff made in China with a hefty price tag). But then, they make us walk through fields of muck and carry our own heavy, kinda warty, and maybe not so perfect pumpkin. By the time we make it back to the register, we are dirty, hungry, and tired...so they charge us $9 for "the experience." Are we suckers or what? Well, we showed them. After they took our money, we left. And, about a mile and a half down the road, we saw some people selling pumpkins in a wagon off to the side. We paid $3 for two very nice pumpkins. Take that, Joe Huber!!

Alright, alright. I won't complain. It was really fun, and Maryn liked the wagon ride. It was worth it. But I do think they should reconsider their business ethics.

That was our day at Huber's farm. Enjoy the videos below. For some reason, Maryn throwing tantrums is really funny on video...not so much in real time.

The Results are in!

Well, as you know, our poll closed this weekend and I thought I would announce the results. I think I should take this moment to say in our religion's defense: This was in no way endorsed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There, that's out of the way.
First of all, congratulations to those of you who guessed right with Elder Eyring being called as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency! To those six voters--you are either very inspired or you have a mole inside the First Presidency. (As if this whole thing wasn't sounding sacrilegious enough...) You may be asking yourselves: "What do I win??" Possibly an all expense paid vacation to Temple Square in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah? (Hotel and transportation not included) Ooooo...how about free tickets to next April's General Conference? (Please see your bishop to claim some tickets) Well, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but we didn't actually plan on having the right answers on our poll...so we didn't create a prize package for the winners. Sorry about your bad luck and your good guessing skills put to waste.
Now, for those of you who possibly really did think Kade had a chance at becoming an Apostle, let me take this moment to contemptuously deride you. HA HA HA HA...HA HA HA! OK, I'm done. We did have 5 voters vote for Kade to become a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Upon seeing the results, Kade did, for a moment, get his hopes up that he was a possible candidate for the position, but much to his despair, Saturday arrived and he had not yet received a call. Maybe next time.
Well, we hope you all enjoyed our little game, and weren't too offended at our irreverence and making light of things. It was all just for kicks and giggles, and didn't involve gambling as originally intended (wouldn't have that been fun???). We certainly hope you will all play again!