My parents flew into town last week for a mid-fall visit, and with their trip falling so close to Halloween, we decided to drive out to Sauvie Island on Sunday to pick carving pumpkins from Columbia Farms. We loaded the back of our car with over 100 pounds of gourds – my carving pumpkin alone weighed over 25 pounds. (That’s Justin lugging it away as I snapped pictures instead of helping him carry it!).

I half-jokingly printed out a carving template of a scottie dog for my dad, thinking he might use it as inspiration. Instead he dutifully and admirably replicated the image. When lit up and glowing in the night, our jack-o-lanterns on the front porch mistakingly give the appearance that two children (my mom and me), one mildly talented teenager (Justin), and a master pumpkin carver (my dad) live in the house. Happy Halloween!