More pumpkin fun

See, I told you we couldn't stop at just one jack-o-lantern..... I think I'm mildly addicted *grins*

Well, since I had my turn on the jayhawk, Kenny got to do a lot of the carving on this one.

Once again we traced the pattern on the outside of the pumpkin using my handy, dandy projector. This is probably the most time consuming part of the whole project to me. You see, if the pattern isn't perfect, you can never carve it into correctness *laughs*

Next Kenny chopped the top right off that guy...
This picture is called "don't mess with Kenny" right *winks* How come he looks so much kinder chopping up a pumpkin than I do? I've got to bare my teeth and growl a little bit. *laughs*Next you've got to get all those gooey, slimy seeds out.....
Then just go to town shaving off the pattern. We worked as a team to accomplish this. I'd trace around the neat little lines, then Kenny, with the precision of a surgeon would shave away the large spaces that I left behind.Oh man, we had a great time and I took so many pictures I ran the camera batteries to death. But not before we put a glorious candle inside and beheld our shining design.

Cradled

This is my sweet nephew Griffin, fast asleep, safe and warm in Grandpa's hands.

Isn't this just the way God holds us sometimes...thank you Lord for loving us.

'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
Isaiah 41:10

Cheddar's

Monday night we finally got to go out to dinner with our sweet friends Jeremy and Stephanie and their precious new baby Olivia.

I say "finally" because we've had plans to go out with them for several weeks now....we kept having to reschedule because Kenny's soccer season was so sporadic, changing games at the last minute because of the weather. Thankfully our friends are patient and understanding! *grins*

So, in an effort to expand our dining experiences we're trying to think of new restaurants where the other couple has never eaten. Stephanie and Jeremy suggested a place called "Cheddar's"
It is a little bit far away from our house, but they were kind enough to pick us up and drive us all the way there, wow!

Oh.my.gracious....the food is simply delicious! Kenny and Jeremy both ordered the Chicken Fried Steak...can you believe it was less than eight dollars! And Stephanie and I practically ordered the same vegetable plate. I guess great minds think alike *grins*

Baby Olivia was just a doll the entire time, cooing and sleeping away in her little carrier beside the table *smiles* She is just adorable! Puts my baby cravings in overdrive *laughs*

We really had a wonderful time talking and laughing the night away! We even saved room for an amazing cookie and ice cream dessert!
Oh lordy I will have to jog for a month to burn off all those delicious, mouth watering calories!

So, now it is mine and Kenny's turn to come up with a new and exciting restaurant! Hmmmm.... *winks* I wish we could take them to Jeff and Jessica's pizza restaurant, Via's!

Jayhawk-O-Lantern

Being a newly married couple (we're still newlyweds right?? *winks*) and just starting our sweet family together, Kenny and I are trying every year to have special holiday traditions. Things that are meaningful and fun that we do together.
I love thinking back to some of my families holiday fun and traditions and want to share similar experiences in our home! *grins*

So, this weekend I bought us Three huge pumpkins and we've set out to carve them!
I found some ideas and patterns for some really unique jack-o-lanterns on this website, carvingpumpkins.com. I was feeling a little intimidated, so we decided to start out with a kind of easier design.

I used a little projector that I bought at Hobby Lobby a few years ago to trace the pattern on our pumpkin.
Then we went to work sawing the top off and digging out all of the seeds and mush....ewwww *winks*

(Kenny captioned this picture "watch out for Karen" *laughs*)

Next I used some neat-o little exacto knives and tools that I borrowed from my sweet Dad to do the more intricate carving on the face of the pumpkin.You see, we didn't cut all the way through on most of the design, just shaved away a lot of the surface so that the candle would glow in specific locations brighter than others.
Next came the hard part, cutting all the way through for the "K U" and the jayhawks eye. The letters left behind some pretty fragile little areas that I had to be extra careful not to break off...
Finally we put a big pillar candle inside and let that light shine!

Oh what glorious fun! Tonight is Kenny's turn, I think we'll try a Charlie Brown "Great Pumpkin" design *winks*

Happy Halloween!

We are the Champions

Oh my gracious I experienced the most exciting soccer game of.my.entire.life!! You would have thought it was The Superbowl from the way that I was cheering and screaming *grins* I think I thought it was The Superbowl *laughs*

Well, after three weather related postponements we finally got to play THE championship soccer game on Thursday. I can't say that the weather was really cooperating today either. It was dreary cold, about forty degrees, with fierce winds blowing from every direction and a light misty rain just threatening to downpour...

My sweet parents came out to support Kenny and those Titans. I love how they're always interested in things that I care about! Thank you so much for coming!
I was so glad to have them there as my co-cheerleaders, and a little body heat *laughs*
I went home at lunchtime and loaded up about ten big coats just in case any of those guys didn't have one. Guess what!?! They were so thankful, every single coat got worn by somebody *laughs*

I can't say that I was a very good photographer at this game. I was cheering so hard and so intently focused on all the action that I just left the camera by the way side...

Good gracious this was such an intense game. The team we played against is the only team we lost to all season long. But, those Titans owned the field the entire game! You could really tell that even though the other team was bigger, we had the more skilled players.

We had so many shots on goal, ones that bounced off the cross bar or sailed just barely over the top of the net....the whole sideline was about to rupture a lung and get an ulcer from excitement *grins* I'd just cringe and double over with my fists in the air (soooo close)

We kept cheering them on, "Let's go Titans"......"Keep it up"......"Score one more"! It was awesome!

We were up three to one as the clock was starting to wind down (just hold them off a little longer.....). We kept looking at our watches thinking "isn't the time up?"

Finally the ref tweeted his whistle and the whole team rushed the field jumping with joy and riping off their jerseys! I was shrieking with glee and literally almost fainted I was so excited! Whoa!
One of Kenny's players was so overcome he leapt into Coach Schell's arms cheering like a baby! *laughs*

The next thing I know, the head ref is squawking "game's not over, get your team off the field"....apparently his earlier whistle was just to stop a play and not to signal the end of the game, but seriously, we were beyond the allotted time....

So, the team and to re-group and get their jerseys back on and their heads back in the game. I was biting my nails and just hoping that we could pull this off!

Then, out of nowhere, whizzing in from left field the other team squeaked a shot into our net!!!That brought the score up 3 to 2!! Oh, no, this can't be happening... I have never seen a referee add so much stoppage time to a middle school game! It must have been at least ten minutes!

Miraculously he finally tweeted three times and victory.was.ours!! and it was sweet!!! We "officially" rushed the field and the guys were spraying water everywhere! A victory salute to Coach Schell!
They were presented a trophy and were just overwhelmed with happiness! They deserve it, they have been practicing so very hard all season long! Way to go guys!!
When I got home I ordered us Cracker Barrel "to go" to celebrate our victory. Once Kenny got home we headed out to pick it up and on the way there he was telling me about the bus ride home from the game...
(this is Kenny's attempt to hide from the camera after a long day, *laughs*)

One of his sweet players was holding the trophy, just cradling it and running his hand lovingly over the surface when he looked up and said "Coach Schell, you know...this is the first time I've ever won anything..... Thank you,"

Oh my lordy, I just want to cry that is so sweet! Now you can see why I get so excited about seeing these guys play! *grins*

Too much TV

You know, between the news and sporting events and little sitcoms in between....we Schells are just watching too much TV!
Sometimes I find that the TV is on and we're not even really watching it. You know, it's like it's background noise or something like that. Or some nutty Food Network challenge that I get sucked into *laughs* Those TV shows sure know how to hook the viewers! I could watch HGTV or Food Network nonstop!

Well, we've made a conscious decision that we want to turn that thing OFF!

I don't want to make us sound like a couple of lazies *laughs* We don't really watch more than a few hours a night, Kenny's rarely even home from soccer practice until after 6:30... and when we do watch, it's usually The O'Reilly Factor or a soccer game *grins*. Also, we've never had a TV in the bedroom and hope to always keep it that way!

But, we've devised a plan that the TV will be OFF between 9:00 and 10:00 every night and so far it's been a nice relaxing change. We just talk or play a game, do something productive around the house or read. It.is.glorious! We may just extend the "no TV" time more and more!

One down, two to go!

I just wanted to share an update on the soccer tournament, game one was on Monday and we WON eight to one!!! Unfortunately I had to stay a little late at work and didn't get to the game until just before halftime. Some of the fans on the sideline informed me that the score was two to zero, we were winning *grins* It was such a pretty day! Warm with the sun just starting to set, but the wind was blowing like crazy! I don't know how they can control that ball with gusts like that!
They made some plans at halftime and got ready to push hard through the second half!Here's that goal keeper I was telling you about, thankfully I got a clearer shot this time *smiles*What a fun game this was! I love those games where you can sort of relax and feel confident that your team will win! Kenny even got to send in some smaller younger players so they could get some playing time in too.

There are some really great soccer players on this Titan team! You should see that fancy footwork in person! I just grin with glee and squeal for joy sometimes!

They probably think Mr. Schell's wife is crazy.....or that I'm the greatest fan on earth (hopefully the latter) *winks*

I was pretty excited to catch this plane flying right over the field...
I was imagining that there was a camera crew up there filming our guys in action!

We scored SIX goals in the second half and the sidelines were just erupting! Can you see those smiles in the picture below? *grins* That's one game down and two to go until we're the champions!!

Pizza, Practice, Pride

Man, I was so very proud of Kenny's soccer team! They have a tournament next week Monday through Wednesday. This week just happened to be Fall Break (Thursday and Friday) meaning that none of the teams would get to practice for at least four days before playing in the big tournament!

Well, Kenny asked his guys if they would be willing to practice during Fall Break and they overwhelmingly agreed to give up their free time to come up to the school and put in hours of practice! Wow!

(I was pretty proud of Kenny as well....he not only gave up his free time, but also the chance to go back home to Kansas and ride motorcycles with his Dad!)

So, Thursday rolled around and Kenny and I were both wondering if any of the guys would actually show up. It was misty, cold and dreary out side, probably in the mid fifties. Well, I think the entire team showed up! What a bunch of dedicated players!

So Kenny and I decided to treat the team to Pizza for lunch today after practice. Boy I wish we could have had Jeff and Jessica's pizza, Via's, shipped in from Kansas! That would have been a royal treat! We settled for Little Caesars...

This is what I looked like coming out of the pizza place.....

except not a man *laughs* When I was putting them in my tiny car a lady next to me said "I think you have more pizza than car there!" *grins*

When I got to the school about seven guys came rushing out to help me carry my load. What a bunch of sweeties!

The practice game was tied two to two when I got there. There were even some former players of Kenny's who showed up to help out with practice! Kenny gave them a couple more minutes to play and then brought the game down to penalty kicks! Those are always fun to watch!

I told you it was cold......

I wish this picture of the goal keeper would have come out clearer. He sure plays hard!

Here are a couple of good penalty kick shots!

I think a hot fresh pizza was just what they needed!

Thanks to these guys for working so hard! I can't wait to cheer you on at the tournament next week!!! *grins*

Wildlife Refuge

Last year in November Kenny and I had such a fabulous time at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge that we decided to make a return trip (a little earlier in the year this time) *grins*

Kenny had soccer practice after school, so we went ahead and ate dinner at home to save some moolah and then headed off to our hotel in Lawton. We had logged onto our trusty hotwire.com to get a deal on a hotel room, hoping and crossing our fingers that we'd get to stay at the same Holiday Inn that we stayed at last year. It was beyond amazing, SUCH a huge room! Well, we ended up with the Baymont Inn, it was still very nice, but Holiday Inn was my favorite *winks*

The next morning we got up super early, about 5:45 and got all showered and ready for a day of adventure. Luckily I had planned ahead and packed some hats and gloves because it was a little brisk! We put on all of our layers and were off!

I just love this sweet place. There are little winding trails and neat lakes and ponds, just truly in the heart of nature.
One of the first animals we happened across were these beautiful timid deer.
I just love the way they always look so soft and graceful. They perked up their ears when they heard us coming, but stayed still long enough for Kenny to snap these peaceful pictures.
You can really see a lot even from the comfort of your car, but we love to hike around and see some of the more remote areas. So I was pretty glad to have my gloves and hat and I made sure to have Kenny wear his hat too! (I'm not letting him get sick ever again *grins*)
We hiked off a little way and wound around into a thick forest area. One of the main reasons we came to the refuge THIS weekend was to hear the Elk bugle. It's a beautiful mating call that the male Elk do to claim their territory and call the ladies to them. So, we were being extra quiet and cautious when we heard the crackle of leaves and rustle of feathers and spotted this big clan of wild Turkeys!
Happy Thanksgiving! *laughs* It was hard to get a picture they were moving so fast!

We continued through the forest and up onto a rocky boulderish area that surrounded a lake.
The air was fresh and cool and there was barely any breeze, so quiet and peaceful and then... through the morning air we heard the majestic echoing bugle of a male elk. Wow, I nearly jumped for joy I was so excited! We were quiet and still and were able to hear it several more times! What an unforgettable moment!


Here's a video I found on you tube so you can hear it too! (be sure to turn your volume up)

We hiked back to the car and drove over to Hidden Lake. We sat on a fallen tree beside the water an just took in the scene. A huge Bison was up on the hillside grazing in the grass and the out on the water Kenny spied a Great Blue Heron (just like the one we've seen at Overholser Lake). He slowly raised his camera and caught this breathtaking reflection...

After leaving the waterside we drove around to the other side of the refuge and I spied some abandoned stone buildings. You remember my obsession with abandoned houses *laughs* so I convinced Kenny to stop and look around them.

Apparently they were built by the CCC in the 1930's and are now just a standing reminder of that time. You can find these pretty round stones all throughout the refuge.

Another pretty lake had this neat boat dock protruding out into the water...
This lake had a dirt path that wound around it, so we hiked a couple miles around the lake and saw these nifty lily pads
There were remnants of flowers that I can only imagine in the summer were huge and stunning!

Kenny spotted this cliff side "chair" naturally carved in the rock where we took pictures last year, so I had to hop back in that spot and take one this year too *laughs*
It overlooks a gorgeous river.
I love the way Kenny captured the clouds reflecting in the water here. It looks really powerful....I think this one is going up on the wall *winks*

There is also a neat water dam with a walkway that winds all the way across the lake

Ohhhh I love this guy!!

There is a neat area of the refuge where they have a biblical city built out of stone and every year at Easter they do the Passion play for thousands of park guests.

We reminisced about our trip to Yellowstone when we saw these Bison.
There is also a big herd of longhorn (and we're talking LONG horns). I always like to capture the babies on film jumping and frisking about *grins*
Finally we caught a whole family of majestic Elk and got to see the male perform his fantastic bugle up close in person!

(I was howling like a wolf....ahhhwwwoooooooo from the car to get this guy to perk his head up from eating grass *laughs*)

Our next stop on our adventure weekend was to go and see the little fluffy prairie dogs. When we stopped by the dens they inhabited last year there wasn't a one to be seen!?! Want to know why.....
That's right!! A coyote was prowling around and sniffing each and every little hole in the ground! I couldn't believe he was right there in plain view in broad daylight!

We decided to check the other prairie dog area and make sure that there were still some of those sweet guys around. On the way we caught a glimpse of a big Buck!

They seem especially hard to see in the wild. I think they are even more timid of hunters than the females are. Must be because of their prized "rack" of horns. I'm sure glad Kenny has the heart of a photographer and not of a hunter!

Here's another big Elk who was calling his lady to come join him...

See how she hears him bugling....(I love her eye and all the foliage in this shot!)
Luckily the second Prairie Dog den was full of activity....my sweet buddies were still around in full force *laughs*
watching.....munching....smooching....
peeking......

I love those cute guys! I want to squeeze their bellies! *winks*

We just had a great time and are looking forward to our next adventure!