Our Pumpkins . . . Being Eaten!

This is what we woke up to on Sunday morning as we stepped out to go to church. Cade's little pumpkin was eaten! Yes . . . almost completely gone! We have some crazy squirrels in our neighborhood and one of them (or maybe more) ate Cade's pumpkin. A few days before I had noticed some teeth marks out of both of our pumpkins, but to wake up to one of the pumpkins eaten . . . CRAZY! When we got home from church, I showed Cade and laughed about it hoping that he would go with it. He looked at me very seriously and wimpered a bit, but today we could laugh about it. I think he has recovered.

To help the "recovery" process, I decided that we would make a Jack-O-Lantern with the large pumpkin we were given. So we started carving and making our creation after lunch. Cade really enjoyed it and I did too! It was a great activity to do together. Now we will hope that when Jack is outside that he doesn't get eaten too badly. Any ideas of what we should spray on the pumpkin to keep those squirrels away?








We scooped out all of the "guts" of the pumpkin. Cade did not like touching the guts, so mommy got that job!








We then used The Pampered Chef Corer to make the eyes, mouth, ears, and C on the back of his "head". We had to use the hammer to pound the Corer through the tough pumpkin. What fun!!







Cade enjoys taking Jack's "hat" on and off!

Daddy's First Trip on the Train!

Daddy left for Kansas yesterday evening to go to a funeral for a friend from our old church. Our friend, Steve, had a heart attack last Thursday and dropped dead while running. What a shock for everyone. Though everyone knew that heart attacks were common in his family, it was still a shock. Praise the Lord that Steve is dancing in heaven with his Savior Jesus. Join our family in prayer for his wife, Janet, and children Hannah and Scott.



Cade and I waited with Daddy at the train station before he set out on his 12 hour journey on the train!


It was very windy and cold out, but that did not stop Cade from running around and having fun at the depot.



We love you Daddy and we are glad that you had a safe trip to Kansas! Looking forward to seeing to very soon! We love you.

Family Wedding!

To end our time with Grandpa and Grandma, and Grandma Sparks we went to Iowa to my cousin Ryan's wedding. He and Molly were married on Saturday in a small wedding. Only the immediate family was at the wedding, but the rest of us were invited to the small reception at my cousin Joan's house (Ryan's sister). Cade enjoyed being out in the country and playing with his cousins! He didn't even take time to eat the delicous food at the reception.



Checking out the farm country with Daddy! We saw a few cows down the road.



Grandpa Bill pushing Cade on the swing with cousin James nearby!



Uncle Jeremy, Grandpa Bill, and Curtis! Manly love standing so close together!



Thanks for coming Grandma. We love you!

A Special Trip to the Orchard!

This last week we were visited by Grandma Sparks, Grandpa Bill, and Grandma Glenna! On Thursday the Grandmas, Cade, and Jessica went out to the apple orchard to take in some fresh fall air! We all got in the golf cart and headed out the orchard to check out the apple trees. Most of the apples were overipe but we found some to be picked! Grandma Sparks, Cade, and Jessica picked Granny Smith apples! After we made our way back to the store to pay for the apples, Grandma Sparks also bought Cade 2 pumpkins - a big daddy one, and a little baby pumpkin. Cade enjoyed playing in all of the pumpkins - climbing, jumping, and unfortunately throwing. Grandma Glenna purchased us some Honey Crisp apples and my favorite, Apple Butter! Cade has eaten 2 apples a day for the last 3 days. Let us just say . . . the apples are delicious!




















When we got home, Grandma made us an apple pie!!! Yippee! It was delicious (and plenty sweet too, Grandma).

Your Vote Needed!

Here's a chance for us to help the Aplington-Parkersburg School. The
Henkel Company (manufactures household products including Renuzit,
Purex, Right Guard) sponsored a contest for $25,000.

Aplington-Parkersburg has been named one of the 10 finalists. The money
will be used to help with rebuilding expenses associated with the
tornado that destroyed their high school last May. In order for them to
receive the prize, they need to win a nationwide voting contest. To
vote, you need to go to www.henkelhelps.com and vote for A-P with your
e-mail address.

Just thought you might be interested in placing your vote . . . you can vote once at day until October 19th when the contest ends!

A Funny for the Day!

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR HOUSE

1. Open a new file on your computer.
2. Name it 'Housework.'
3. Send it to the RECYCLE BIN.
4. Empty the RECYCLE BIN.
5. Your computer will ask you,
'Are you sure you want to delete Housework permanently ?'
6. Calmly answer, 'Yes,' and press mouse button firmly..
7. Feel better?

Works for me!

My Musician!

Cade loves music. He has since he was born. I know that God has given him this great talent, and when he uses it, it brings a smile to my face. As long as music is near by, our boy is happy. We use our old Folger's coffee cans as drums to creat music throughout the day. We have shakers, tamborines, and more that help us make a band. Cade's favorite instrument would have to be his voice. He is constantly singing and has many songs in his memory. I have tried very hard to record him singing, but everytime I make the effort Cade figures out that I am taping him. I finally was able to record him singing our National Anthem this last week. Though it is just a snipit of his talent, I was successful at getting his voice on record. I am sure you may wonder how in the world does he know the National Anthem . . . well, every sport's event we watch, it is a part of it (The Cubs).




Other favorite songs Include:
Jesus Loves Me
Amazing Grace
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World
Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho
Zacheus Was a Wee Little Man
Who Built the Ark?

Though Cade's mother does not have the talent of music, like his father's family does. I do feel that in some small way I may be a little bit a part of helping him to develop this talent (because I am with him all day long, each and every day)!! :)

Nana's Fall

This last week, Nana took a fall and ended up in the hospital for a few days and will now be in the nursing home for awhile. We discovered through the fall that Nana had a compression fracture in her right knee. From the scans done on her body, the doctor said that this fracture had happened before the fall. We are not quite sure when, but unfortunately it is broken. Nana has a brace on her leg and is not to be up on her leg for at least 2 weeks. We have visited her a few times in the nursing home, and though this is not where she desires to be it is God's place for her now. Please be praying for her and Bev as they get through this tough time.
May God's kingdom be glorified through Mae's circumstance.

A Trip to the Dentist!

Cade was able to visit the dentist this week! I really worked hard at getting him ready for this experience and over all it went very well! He was very excited and ready to go back to the special dentist chair as soon as we walked into the office. We had to fill out lots of paperwork, though, of course. After we answered all of the questions about his heart problems, surgeries, blood diseases, and dental history (why would they ask these questions to a 2 year old?), it was Cade's turn!

Cade was a great patient . . . listening to the hygentist and opening his mouth big like an alligator when asked to do so! He was fitted with some cool sunglasses to shield his eyes from the special "flashlight". The hygentist then used a Cars (Sally) toothbrush to clean Cade'e teeth. They looked great! While we waited for the dentist to take a closer look, Cade got to brush the stuffed horse's teeth and use the mirror to look inside the horse's mouth at his teeth. The dentist took a look, and though the alligator mouth did not open as wide this time . . . Cade did a great job!

When we left . . . a clean bill of health and of course FLOSS EVERYDAY! Ugh.