Dear Santa

Yesterday out of the clear blue Kennick decided he wanted to write a letter to Santa.  He said..."I want 3 iPad's please".  Not sure where he  got that from but that's what went on the list...

Kennick and Mommy writing the letter to Santa.

Kennick telling Santa that he wants 3 iPads please.

Pacie Fairy

I know I am EXTREMELY behind on the updates.  I have lots of posts from football games, visitors from Iowa and Kennick's birthday which hope to be coming soon...but this is tonight...

The past couple weeks we have been talking about the pacie fairy that will be coming on Kennick's third birthday.  The fairy will come and take his pacies and give them to babies who will be needing them.  We gave him the option that he could either get money or a present when the fairy came.  He choose money!  

Last night was Kennick's birthday.  He had a party at Montessori (posting soon) and got to open some presents at the house.  As bedtime grew near he was getting very tired because he hadn't had a nap all day. We put all the pacies under his pillow and started getting ready for bed.  Somehow he managed to sneak one and was asleep in the bed before we even got into the bedroom.  Not a great start on our part...

We both had the day off today and I was excited to be able to sleep in a little but to my surprise Kennick was up at 6:30 and talking about the pacie fairy.  He quick ran to his room and put it under the pillow.  Ends up the pacie fairy is charging 17 quarters (inflation from my childhood) these days.  He was supper excited to put the money in his Mickey jar which when filled means we are heading to Disney.

First test:  Nap.

Today was Christmas decorating!!  Karalee and her mom went to get their toes done in the mid afternoon and Kennick and I stayed home.  It got to be nap-thirty and Kennick wanted his pacifier...we talked a little and ended up walking around the house looking at the tree and a few minutes later was zonked out on my shoulder.  No fuss...pretty easy.  He slept fine though he did wake up quite grumpy.  Nothing a couple peanut butter and nutella crackers couldn't fix though.

Second test:  Bed.

We crawled into bed and read a couple books.  Very excited that we could read Christmas books.  Turned the lights off and said our prayers.  After prayers we continue a little longer blessing people.  We ended up blessing more than usual tonight though.  We even blessed the ceiling fan at one point.  We said good night and within 5 minutes he was snoozing.  Didn't even mention it.

     

In Heaven There Was No Beer

I'll explain the title towards the end.

This past weekend, Tom Tank, and myself jumped in the car and started our epic journey to Iowa City to watch a Herky and Starty matchup.  It was going to be a marathon weekend as we didn't leave Glasgow until 6:00 PM for the 8 hour car ride to Davenport where Tom's parents live.  I have become greatly appreciative of the iPad and the fact you can put movies on it.  It does make the car ride much shorter when you can watch some classic movies in the wee hours of the morning.

The trip to Davenport was uneventful and we arrived by 2:30 am.  6:00 am the alarm went off and we were bundling up for the pre-game adventure.  Iowa in November has a tendancy to be a little chilly though dress in layers because a cold morning usually leads to a very pleasant afternoon. 

Pulling into Iowa City on a game day is always exciting!  Driving to the stadium there are always college kids sitting on the front steps drinking beer, Iowa flags flying proudly and a buzz that goes through the community.  Mr. Tank has been a season ticket holder for over 30 years and is a professional tail-gater.  We park the van, 200 yards from Kinnick, put up the tent, tables and chairs, poured bloody mary's and pull out the FOOD! 

We wondered around and were able to meet Dan Gable, the winnest wrestling coach, who was the honory team captain for the game.  Went and saw the Hawkeye Marching Band pre-game show and headed off to the game!

It was prefect weather but a not so perfect outcome.  The Hawks were defeated on that November day by Sparty.  (When Iowa wins the fans sing their victory song...In Heaven There is No Beer).

Back to the car and out came the walking tacos.  This was a completely new concept to me and I was super impressed though I have found out I must have lived under a rock as this is FAR from a new idea.  I was still impressed :)

It was a long day and a long car ride home but we had a lot of fun.  It was good to support the alma mater and have a little nostalgia from another chapter in my life.

Go Hawks!!

Statue of Nile Kinnick

Marching Band Pre Game Show

Marching Band Half Time Show

Walk Taco's

  

Euge, Jim, Linda and Tom

Frankfort Trip

This past Wednesday we packed up the car and headed out to Frankfort, Kentucky.  Karalee had a training she had to be at on Thursday and thought it would be a good overnight trip for the family!  

I got home from work at 6:00 and found Kennick sleeping on the bed.  We got him in the car still sleeping and drove all the way to Frankfort and he woke up about 9:00.  He woke up hungry and ate everything in sight and then we all went to bed.  

Thursday we woke up and had a really good breakfast at the hotel.  Karalee left for her meeting and Kennick and I went swimming in the pool.  It was a nice relaxing morning with Kennick.  He is becoming quite a good swimmer.  Karalee was back by noon and we ate at Cracker Barrel for lunch.

Our original plan was to go see the capital afterwards but it was gray and rainy so we decided just to drive around and not go inside.  We tried to give Kennick a quick lesson about our state capital and how our state government works.  

Just a few blocks from the capitol is a little chocolate shop called Rebecca Ruth's.  It really is a must stop if you are in town.  We got a few chocolates for the ride home and some souvenirs that Kennick could take to school with him on Friday.  We weren't too much outside for Frankfort and Kennick fell asleep...woke up in the driveway.  

Future politician.

Kennick and Karalee in front of the state capital.

Good thing for these bright smiles on a cold and cloudy day in Frankfort.

Pumpkin Carving

This past Sunday we decided it was time to carve this years pumpkin!  As far as I can remember Karalee and I have carved a pumpkin every year since we have been married.  This year we called Sandy and Audrey to come over and participate in the activities.  Kennick and Audrey were big buddies when they stayed at Charlotte's (our babysitter) house and still have so much fun when they are together.  After a little supper it was time to carve!!

Kennick and Audrey with fresh pumpkins ready to dig in!

Slimy

Big wad of pumpkin guts

And more pumpkin guts

Sandy and Audrey working on their pumpkin

Karalee with her scalpel finishing up the surgery

Kennick and Audrey with their carved pumpkins

Quite the artist

Getting ready to blow it out

Silly or spooky?

All finished

We all had a fun time carving and getting pumpkin guts all over the place.  I remember being a kid and enjoying our annual pumpkin carving and the smell of fresh cut pumpkin.  I also remember making popcorn balls which will hopefully be introduced next year especially after we got a new popcorn popper.  

This year Kennick is also starting to understand more and laying in bed he will quite often talk about Halloween and that he wants to fill his pumpkin up to the tippy-top with candy.  It is much fun to watch the innocence and simple excitement of a child.  

Karalee Update

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5-6

Approximately 760 days ago our world was turned upside down.  A new chapter in our life had started only 10 short months prior with the blessing of our son, Kennick.  We both just turned 30 and were on top of the world with our whole life in front of us.  It was then our world was turned upside down...

It is now 25 months later and we took the same car ride we have taken dozens of times to Nashville to see the oncologist.  The trip down was quick and we didn't even have to wait at the doctors office too long for once.  We spoke with Dr. Peacock for a little bit and we have made it past the 2 year mark!!  Karalee had been taking a Lupron injection and after talking about it for a little bit we all decided that she no longer needed to take that.  Dr. Peacock said "congrats, see you in 6 months."  

As we walked out of the office it was a very strange feeling to not have anything for 6 months.  A half of a year with no doctors appointments, scans, screens, pokes...nothing...  

I mentioned in the first paragraph that our lives were turned upside down.  In looking back at the struggles, heart aches, fear, joy and the whole cornucopia of emotions that we went through I realize how truly blessed we are.  Our faith is stronger, our love is stronger, our family is stronger.  Our family and friends have blessed us beyond belief!  I have seen a wonderful metamorphosis happen in Karalee and she has been an inspiration to me.  

I thank you for your prayers and concerns!  I ask you continue to pray that God's will be done in our lives.

Louisville Zoo

This past Sunday the Louisville Zoo hosted their annual Halloween Party!!  It took many weeks for Kennick to finally decide on a character but we finally got it pinned down.  The couple days prior to the event Karalee and Kennick (and Granny) were busy working on Kennick's costume.  The end product turned out fantastic!!

Kennick the Big Red Dog

Can you say puppy dog face??

Kennick was very excited to wear his costume and very excited to go to the zoo.  We packed up the car and headed for Louisville.  Kennick fell asleep before we left Glasgow and had a good "dog" nap on the way there.  

We pulled off the interstate and hit stand still traffic going to the zoo.  Thanks to some handy work Karalee found a great short cut that took us behind all the traffic and into a great parking spot!  One of the other perks of the parking spot was that we had to take a school bus.  Kennick was SO excited!

Kennick and I getting off the bus at the zoo.

Kennick sitting on the bus.  He was super excited!

After we got off the bus we could get right into the zoo.  There were a TON of people there but everything flowed smoothly.  We could walk around the outer loop of the zoo and stop at each trick-or-treating station and get some candy.  The weather was perfect!  We also got to meet Alice in Wonderland, the Wizard of Oz cast, baby Mickey's, Steve Jobs and many others.

Kennick and Karalee getting ready to trick-or-treat

This was the talking pumpkin that welcomed us to the zoo.

Hard to pass up a gigantic Lego photo op.

You may notice a theme of Kennick on my shoulders.  He was "pretend" taking a bite of the ice cream cone.

Showing off his candy loot.

We also were able to watch the animals.

Kennick and Karalee had a big time running through the hay maze.

The trip was a success and we are all excited for Halloween this year.  I think Kennick has big plans to fill up his pumpkin to the "tippy top" with candy.  Despite the sugar high he had Kennick was passed out in the car before we got home.  I am sure he dreamt of candy and cartoons.

Family Photo Day

This past Saturday we jumped in the car and headed to Bowling Green for family photo's!!  The weather was perfect and we got some good pictures!!  These were a few of the "behind the scenes" pictures.  

After the "official" pictures were taken we wanted to take advantage of the day wonderful day.  We did some shopping in Bowling Green and then on our way home we stopped at Pelly's Pumpkin Patch.  

Kennick feeding a goat

Can't pass up a ride in a wagon

Kennick and bestest buddy Cash at the end of the corn maze.

Can't pass up a shoulder ride either.  

There is an explanation for this one.  We were told that there was a swimming pool with corn in it so the kids could play in it.  This is what we found so had to make the most of the situation...

Once you got in the water was "just right" and it was hard to get out...

Not too much after we got home and Karalee's best friend, Andrea, from high school was in town and stopped over.  Kennick was also excited and enjoyed playing with Andrea.  By the time we had time to celebrate an Iowa victory it was time for bed.  It took less than a minute for Kennick to check out...we were right behind.    

Pieces

This past Saturday morning we were all sitting around the breakfast table enjoying the cool fall day.  Kennick got up and started running around and ended up jumping into Karalee's lap.  As he sat there Karalee gave him a BIG hug and said "I love you to pieces".  He looked up at her with a serious face and said, "don't love me to pieces." We both started laughing at the wonderful innocence of a child.

Juicing

When Karalee and I celebrated one of our frist Christmas' together the one thing that I really wanted was an Omega Juicer.  I think that was the only thing that I asked from Santa that year and I must have been a good boy because on Christmas Day there was an Omega Juicer under the tree!! 

It is now many years later and instead of me being the one that wants to do the juicing it is now Kennick that frequently requests making juice and smoothies.  He absolutely loves the whole process of the event.  When we say the magic word or upon his request he will go to the kitchen table and pull out a chair and drag it to the counter.  He has his hands in all aspects.  Since he is so fond of juicing and smoothines we thought we would try to "incorporate" other beneficial greens and he doesn't seem to mind.  Nice to know that he is getting healthy foods granted there isn't much he won't eat.

Kennick prepping the juicer.

Kennick putting fruit in the juicer.

Anxiously awaiting...

You may notice that we are using the back of a wooden spatula and that is because Annabelle got ahold of the juicing plunger and decided to use that for a chew toy.  The spatula is also about an inch shorter due to it getting caught in the auger a couple times.  Just a little extra fiber in the drink...

Juicing in action...

Juice pulp.  This is orange, beet and apple juice.

Kennick with a big CHEESE face while drinking his apple kale smoothie.  Yes, I did say apple kale...

Smoothies are the other big hit.  The smoothie making process has gotten much easier now that my parents got us a Ninja blender for Christmas last year.