Vanessa's Pumpkin Cookies

3 cups canned pumpkin
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
3 c sugar
1 tsp. salt
5 cups flour
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips (optional)

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, except flour and chips, and mix well. Add flour 1 cup at a time and mix well again. Mix in chocolate chips (Vanessa likes to use the blender to chop the chips into small pieces. This way the chocolate is evenly distributed and doesn't make a mess all over little brother's hands.) Vanessa won 4th place at the 4-H cook-off with this recipe against 22 other 4-H participants! Enjoy!