The Road to a First Place Finish

We took our 3rd annual trip to Grandad's Apples a couple weekends ago.  Every year while there we pick out our pumpkins for the carving party, the kids ride the infamous "Cow Train" and we get another chance to enjoy an apple cider slushy.  Who could ask for more?  

Our trip to Grandad's this year was especially important for two reasons.  #1, Lexie was finally old enough to ride the Cow Train without an adult and #2, Trey needed to find the perfect pumpkin to carve because he really wanted the 1st place win at our annual carving party.

 

Both Lexie and Addie searched hard for the two best pumpkins they could find.  With our choices made Trey reserved the right to my pumpkin if his pattern fit it best.  Being the great wife I am, I of course agreed!

It's important to know that Trey and I have been carving pumpkins every year since we started dating.  Even in college we would come home for a weekend in October just to do a pumpkin carving party.  Now, back in the day, it would consist of just us two, my sister and parents.  However, over the years it is grown into a much bigger affair with lots more competition.

Here you can see last year's winner, Kendal Maybin hard at work trying for a repeat performance.

Above, Trey intensely working, trying his best to finish before the deadline.  Years ago we never had a time limit, but then we all started having kids, and those kids have nap times and bedtimes, so the party has to start, pumpkins be carved, judged and finished all after naps but before they start getting cranky and need to go to bed.  Last year was our first time using a deadline and Trey's pumpkin didn't make it in time.  He was so upset, he claims he didn't know about the time limit rule.

Addie didn't care a thing about pumpkins she was much more interested in getting Pop to give her more candy.

Here is a look at this year's entries.....

And the winners are:

4th Place - Katie Easler

 

3rd Place - Kendal Maybin

2nd Place - Lindsay Veazey

1st Place - Trey Ford

While I didn't place I was still pretty proud of my pumpkin and I felt it deserved a place in this blog entry.  My claim...first one finished!