Pumpking Carving 101

Well, as usual, our pumpkin choices are very limited as they are mostly shipped up here. By the time they arrive they are pretty old and are starting to grow white mold on the stems. It is a sad state of affairs, but the price we pay I suppose. I was able to fish one small pumpkin out of 4 large boxes. This was literally the ONLY pumpkin without mold. So, it was definitely meant to be for us. Well, the boys and I carved our hearts out and found that our design was not really meant for our small pumpkin. Thank goodness for toothpicks and good repair engineering. Still we had fun and love our little skeleton pumpkin head. Now we just hope he doesn't start growing mold by being inside the house or shrivel up from the cold temps over night before Saturday. HA! One is bound to happen. None the less, we had fun! Sorry that the pics are not in order, but you can figure it out.

Say CHEESE!

Yes, I am proud to say that I have joined the ranks of the cheese makers of America! I have officially made my first batch of mozzarella, and it was terrific on our Friday night pizzas. All the kids approved (that doesn't happen often). My next cullinary attempt will be yogurt for Avery (dairy free). We'll see. I am definately not ready for parm or other hard cheeses, but am on my way.

FALL

Just a few pics of the kids on the last "warm" weekend I spoke about on the previous blog. What is fall without a leaf pile to jump in?! I believe Ellis yelled "Cowabunga!" prior to the launch.

Yes, it is Isaak in the leaves.

1 Mile Run

The boys participated in the Fall Fun Run Sept. 19. They did great. Isaak had spent the night at a friend's house, so in the morning when I picked him up, he was DRAGGIN'! HA! Ellis was really pumped about running a race by himself. They had a preKinder race just for little kids. It was adorable. Isaak's time for the 1 mile was 8:56 and Avery's was 11:01. They did great. It was great training for Isaak for his cross country meet this Wednesday. He will run the 1 1/2 mile. It will be fun. This was our last "warm" weekend. It is now cold (42 or so for a daily high) and the snow is half way down the mountains. (sigh) I knew it would be here soon, I just always hope it will surprise me and wait until November. Doesn't hurt to dream, right?!

If you give a moose....

If you give a moose a muffin, he will ask some jam. If you give a moose a 375 H&H bullet to the neck he will charge you and get within 20 yards when you give him another bullet straight to the heart and he will drop like a sack of potatoes.

Yes, it is hunting season. Brad, inspired by other animal kill stories from the week (thank you Chris and Jason) started his hunting vacation early with a quick trip out to Point Mackenzie just to look. Two hours later, 7:30 am, Brad had a moose. Reference above story. The happiness in his voice was amazing! I haven't heard that in a while. Well, I will let the pictures tell the rest of

the story.

Yes it was stinky!

School is back in session! Hallelujah!

The boys started back to school today. They were both ready. Avery, as always, was way excited to go. He does love school. Isaak was just cool about it all. Back to routine, always a good thing!

On the road again

We are back on the road to Alaska. I don't have much to report except that we are making about 500 miles a day. We stayed outside of Kearney, Nebraska last night and missed the tornado action by just a few miles. We traveled right by Ogalala, Nebraska where I used to live. I tried to convince Brad to detour and see Boot Hill and the ruts made by the passing wagon trains from long ago, but he stayed steady to the interstate. He has home on his mind and a home that does not move!
Tonight we are in Casper, Wyoming. We are surviving the daily drives by torturing the boys with school work and daily required silent times. Ha! We look to be back around the 2nd or 3rd of August! Till the next internet ready park.....