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Giant Pumpkins

Nine years ago my dad got this super fun idea to have a giant pumpkin growing contest with all of the grandkids.  In the spring each child gets to choose a plant to take home and nurture.  On the first Sunday of October we haul our pumpkins to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the official weigh in.  The first year we managed to grow a 70 pound pumpkin.
2003
Some years are better than others.  We have tried several spots in the yard but have settled in on the northwest corner where they have the most space to branch out.  There is always a cash prize for the winner as well as smaller cash prizes for the 8 runner's up.  It seems like different kids win each year so that has been fun.
2007
 This year our pumpkins started off great.
Sometime mid-summer the vines all died and we were left with the pumpkins we had to that point.  Mason didn't even have a pumpkin but he didn't really care.  He thought they all belonged to him and he got what he wanted out of the contest!
The results from the 2011 weigh in:  Grandpa had the biggest pumpkin at 83 pounds.  His grew on his chain link fence and he ended up building a shelf for it to sit on so it wouldn't fall off!  Dallas grew a 77 pound pumpkin but since they are grown ups they didn't "officially" count!  Parker was the grandchild winner at 66.4 pounds, Douglas came in 2nd at 33.2 and Stockton was a nice 3rd at 30.2.  Better luck to us next year:).
What a fun tradition this has become for our entire family!

Photobucket
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Comments

Sherrie said…
What fun times and a great idea! Awesome pumpkins!
October 11, 2011 at 12:23 AM
wylie said…
That is so so fun! Amazingly big pumpkins you all grow.
October 11, 2011 at 4:48 PM
Ang said…
Wow! Those are some amazing pumpkins! And what a fun idea.
October 12, 2011 at 7:13 AM
Patti said…
I loved the young picture of Douglas! Too cute.
October 15, 2011 at 10:15 PM
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