Punkin Chuckin '08

In Morton, IL they love to throw pumpkins. This is a contest for distance. But they also have a lot of time to throw for fun. They have cars in the middle of a corn field to use for targets, and they pick about 500 pumpkins for the 2 days of throwing. Here is how it works.

On Friday teams may arrive and set up their machines, but most come on Saturday morning at 6 A.M. and begin put their machines together. About 8 am they begin to check in at registration and they can then choose their 3 pumpkins they need for their official distance tosses. The youth team’s pumpkins must weigh between 5 and 8 lbs. the adult teams must weigh between 8 and 10 lbs.




There machines are made with all different materials. Some are air driven, Some man powered.




Each team is given a color for their pumpkins to be spray painted so they can tell them apart in the field when they are in piece.

Starting at the youth end of the field and working toward the adult machines each takes 1 shot. Depending on how many machines they have, they will either go back to the front of the line and let everyone take another shot or take a short break so they can throw for fun. By the end of the day the youth machines will have thrown 3 competition shots and the adult machines will have thrown 3 as well.

Some of the pumpkins flew to the next county.... Some of them were pumpkin poop.


The Chuckin excitement went on. There was also great food, pumpkin chili, pumpkin funnel cakes, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin doughnuts.... it was all so good.




This was an experience that we will make a tradition.



Come join us next year .

Fall is here

Fall is here
Acorns gathered by the squirrels
Lovely red, yellow and orange trees
Leaves racked into a pile

I love fall
Sunflowers drooping down

Halloween is coming
Everything is changing
Ripe Pumpkins on the front porch
Every animal getting ready for the winter (Dam mice are in my garage...)

Fall is here and we just love it .
We had fun decorating the front of our perfect little palace.



Just wait for Christmas decorations.....

Yeah Yeah I know but it is only

69 Days

2 Hours

and

14 Minutes

But whos counting !

Take two & three of the big dunk.

You might remember on June 29th my good pal Ralph did a post about the Big Dunk.
(If you don't remember, you might check it out at homespunheadlines.blogspot.com under his archives in June 2009).

This was a great post, so good that I had to continue it on my blog.

I am honored to share with each and every one of you, that our daughter Shannel was baptized this pass Sunday.





Tears of joy filled the auditorium, I can't describe how peaceful I felt to witness this step in our daughters life.It was a day that will be remembered for a life time.We are so very honored that we have had the pleasure to walk this journey with her.


I am also honored to share with each and every one of you, that our son was dunked this pass Monday as well......





OK, maybe he is just practising for his big day!
He did start swimming lessons this pass week and he seems to be getting the dunk part down quite well.

Homework 8 year old style

We have homework each day one day it is
math then reading and science then spelling.

I would have never guessed that a second grader would have so much (@#!) homework.
Today our eight year old came up with a new way to do his homework. I decided to give it a chance.

I have to say, I kind of like this idea.




I do have one question, what will he come up with this winter ?

Odd Birthday

Time to Celabrate an odd birthday....

Another Year


We are wishing you another year
Of laughter, joy and fun,
Surprises, love and happiness,
And when your birthday’s done,


We hope you feel deep in your heart,
As your birthdays come and go,
How very much you mean to us,
More than you can know.


From all of us to you







HAPPY BIRTHDAY RALPH !!!! Hmmm that is an ODD picture...

9/11

9-11, emergency some will say,
but no one will forget that September day.

When the strongest people and the bravest souls
risked their lives to go below.

The crashing towers falling down
spreading saddness all around.

We felt bravery for those who knew the cost,
and we felt saddness for all the ones we lost.

But out of the rubble rose wings of Hope

For our answers we look to the heavans
and remember September 11th.

I'm back with a vengeance...

OK , it has been way to long since I have put up a post.

Don't worry(blogger friends)I think Ralph still loves me.
At least I hope so...

I am going to ease back slowly, I have so many great stories to share.
I will get into them stories soon, but for this post we are going
to start off with a cyber party.

So take a piece of cake and stand up and clap your hands and sing !







Celebrate good times, come on! (Let's celebrate)
Celebrate good times, come on! (Let's celebrate)

There's a party going' on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times, and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you

Happy 15Th Birthday Shannel!


Ahh my Daughter Shannel,

A special little girl was given to us one day, you were placed into our arms for us to lead your way.

The love we had for you right from the very start has grown so much and now it completely fills our hearts.

Our lives have had some laughter, We've had our share of tears, And each has had their place, With the passing of the years.

You stand before us now,as a beautiful 15 year old young lady. It’s hard for us to realize you’re not that little girl we carried.

How about we make you a deal you stop growing the next few years,no drives~ed, no dating, no drives~ed...

Ummm OK, I will wake up from that dream now !


Have a wonderful Birthday Shannel.
We love you .