Pumpkin Carving

This weekend was very eventful. My mother-in-law, Paula, came from Texas to visit. We spent most of Saturday at soccer. We managed to get in

a little shopping in Clinton once the kids games were over though.

Sunday we had some fun time carving pumpkins. The kids had never done this before. They just couldn't understand where the pumpkin pie comes into the picture. After opening up the pumpkin to find all the strings and seeds they were grossed out. Neither one of them would stick their hands down in the pumpkin to clean it out. Although when I suggested throwing out all of the pulp and seeds Madison about cried. She's my drama queen deluxe. I can't wait for the teenage years. I know they are going to be so much fun. Madi insisted that we roast the pumpkin seeds like Mrs. Russell did in 2nd grade. She called Michelle to get her recipe. We used salt, pepper, garlic powder and a little garlic salt and baked them at 350 until they browned. We cooked them a little long. The seeds were really crunchy but the kids loved them. The two of them working together in the kitchen is a priceless moment. They were calling themselves chefs. There are times that they are so cute. Someone remind me of this from time to time. Don't get me wrong I adore my children. There are just times I'm ready to pull my hair out. Kids can make you crazy like that.


Our pumpkins turned out really cute. The kids put candles in them and put them on the porch. Parker is hoping that people that trick-or-treat are scared by them. I tried gently to let him know that they weren't too scary but he still believes that they will be scared.

Madison and Parker are both really excited for Halloween. I myself dread it. Tons of candy, a costume, and walking from house to house in the cold. Halloween is my least favorite holiday. Parker is dressing up as Daniel Boone and Madi is going to be a princess. I'll be sure and post pictures of them on Halloween.

P-Bar Farms Field Trip

Oh what fun we have on field trips! I went with Parker's class to P-Bar Farms east of Weatherford on Wed. We went out to a pumpkin patch and picked our very own pumpkin. They were all small, the perfect size for the kids. I had a lot of fun, although it was a rather strange day. On many of the field trips I have been on, the teachers have a planned itinerary. It is followed to the letter. Which for the most part is a good thing. But not this one. The day was very low key , other than the 25 screaming kids. Not once did I see the teachers scrambling to do a head count.

They had a wonderful time despite the dreary weather that moved in Tuesday night. Just a few rain sprinkles the whole day. P-Bar Farms was a really neat field trip. They actually had lots of interesting things for the kids planned. They have really spent time in making the farm appropriate for young school age children. They have a train and an inflatable slide, which the kids see as the best thing since sliced bread. (I just couldn't pass up this cliche. My nanny uses it and I always laugh when she does.) They also gave a presentation on wind power and solar power. This was all a little more than the kids could grasp but very interesting for the adults. The Weatherford area has approximately 90 wind turbines and to my surprise none of that electricity is used in Oklahoma. They said that all of that energy produced is used in Florida. This is really strange to me. It seems like they would use more energy/electricity getting the power generated to Florida than they produce. But, I don't guess what I think is too important. Anyway, we all had a good time.

Fun on Fall Break

This year for fall break we had a big camping trip planned. As my luck goes, we were rained out. Its funny how God works things out sometimes. Because of all the rain during the first part of the week it was going to be a muddy mess and we decided to head to the mountains. Wednesday we called and made reservations at a lodge in Red River, New Mexico and headed out as soon as school let out. The kids were so disappointed when they awoke Wednesday to rain drops and wind. It was so sad to see their little faces. When we picked them up at school they wanted to know what we were going to do since we couldn't go camping. All we told them was that we were going somewhere they had never been before. They were so excited then. They started playing the ever so frequent game of 21 questions. Who? What? When? Where? How far? They were so cute. I just love to surprise them. It nearly drove them crazy. Us too! Finally after much contemplation, they gave up and fell asleep only to wake in the mountains with snow on the ground. Red River had received the first snow of the 2008 season on Tuesday that week. It was 29 degrees that night when we finally got there. The kids couldn't believe it. The next day we went hiking in the mountains. We had so much fun. The trees were turning and the air was so crisp and clean. I just love the pine scent. I forgot how quiet and serene the mountains are.

Nature is something that I feel too many take for granted. God created some very spectacular sights. The last picture of our trip that I just couldn't resist adding to this blog is the one of the water running down the inside of the tree. Its in Cimmeron Canyon, which is between Cimmeron and Eagles Nest. I'm not sure how long this has been there but I know for sure that it has been there at least 30 years. It is a very special place for me. As a kid we went to Red River several summers. Many times I would see this log and hope to stop and see it up close. The first time I was able to stop I was with my nanny (Winona). She thought that this was one of the neatest things. I am so glad that I was able to share this with her and now I have had the chance to share this with my family.

Trip to the Wichita Mtn. Refuge

Saturday after soccer, Chris and I went to the Wichita Mtn. Refuge with Mike and Cindy. We signed up for a Bugleing Elk tour. But just as my luck would have it, no Elk within camera distance. It never fails, every time I go with Chris hunting the same thing happens. The wind picks up and we see nothing. We did see a few elk with binoculars but nothing up close. The wind was howling and it had the elk on high alert. The refuge, however, was beautiful. We had a wonderful time in the outdoors. The highlight of the trip for me was the trees in the photo. This group of trees was planted in perfect rows. No matter which way you look they line up. Growing up close to the refuge I've been by this tree group too many times to count but today I actually walked out in them. It was awe inspiring.

We did see buffalo. They were out and about, roaming all over the place. Such an odd looking animal. Not a care in the world. The bus didn't even bother them much. We actually had to stop and wait for them to move. The four of us really enjoyed our time there and plan on doing it again sometime. I am just hoping for less wind the next time around.

Soccer Time

The kids are both in recreational soccer this fall. Parker's team is really aggressive. They have only lost one game so far this season. Madi's team on the other hand have yet to win one. She plays U10 and it is a little harder. Her team could care less whether they win or lose. They all just like to be together and talk. (And they all just love the pink soccer jersey.) Must be a female thing. We are constantly on the go with the two teams, making saturdays really crazy. I am glad that they both are playing but I will be glad when it slows down. Life moves so fast. Just when you find a minute to catch your breath and then the moment is gone. Where does all the time go? 10/11/08

New Birdhouse

I've spent so much time lately enjoying all the other blogs that I finally decided to start my own. It seems like so much fun that I couldn't resist trying. I have been inspired by a few ladies that blog here in my hometown. I'm always pulling up the page, so anxious to see what has been posted. Thank you so much for the inspiration you have provided to me. I don't think that I am quite craft worthy to be a blogger but I am definitely going to give it a try. I received a gift from a friend last week. It's the cutest birdhouse made from a gourd. I just love looking out the window at it. Thank you for the birdhouse. I love it!