Halloween

Ceci had a FABULOUS Halloween!!! It was a great day and pleasant evening for trick or treating! We went to some houses with our neighbor Bette and her grandkids. She loved being a princess, and really seemed to "get" Halloween this year.

This princess outfit includes a baby!!!

Heading out into a nice Halloween night!

Ceci and Bette's grandaughters are ready to trick or treat!

Ceci poses after returning from Steens and getting her pic taken on Friday.

Ceci continues to like to stack things, with a little help from Daddy!

State Champion Once Again!!

Kelsey Barrett, a sophomore at Britton-Hecla, is the State Cross Country Champion once again! She came from behind to win and the top three placers were within 3 seconds of one another. Yay Kelsey!!!

Fall or Winter (?) Days

Last week was Homecoming at BHHS. Friday started out cold but sunny for the parade, but ended snowy and wet for the football game that night! The seniors created a very nice float in our garage. Ceci got a lot of candy at the parade, which was very nice despite the cold weather. Carrie J and I had signed up for the Webster Pumpkinfest on Saturday. It was an icy drive there and an icy, cold run! We finished! Yea! Here are some pics! School continues to be busy. October is always that way. Lots of testing and such!

Hillarey paints the scoreboard

Wheeling it out of the garage

Seniors hard at work

Ceci and Bo

Cucumber Recipe

Here is a good recipe for a cucumber spread. Use up those summer cukes!

Cuke Spread
5 cups peeled, chopped cukes- remove seeds (soak in salt water for about an hour)
1 TBSP onion flakes or fresh onion
3-4 TBSP parsley flakes
¾ cup miracle whip
8 oz cream cheese
Blend cream cheese and miracle whip. Add remaining ingredients.
Serve on crackers or rye bread.

More Concert News

RJ is also a recent concert go-er, attending the Kings of Leon concert in St. Louis tonight. Hope he is enjoying himself! I heard this CD more times than I care to mention this summer. What a crew...........

Joan Jett

Yes, I love rock and roll! Wendell and I attended the Joan Jett concert at the Magic last Friday. Our friends Mike and Michelle had front row tickets that they shared with us. Joan can still rock, even though she is in her 50's. She put on a great show! Rock on!!

Look at those buff arms!

Wendell watched the keyboard player more than Joan. Strange.

Wendell and I ;O)

Below is a somewhat blurry version of I Love Rock and Roll

A Great Day to be Outside!

This video is for RJ!! He says he really misses Cecilia, so I am going to try and post some videos. I need to get out the camcorder, as my camera does not take the best videos.

We started painting our garage floor today. We had hoped to get it done before graduation, but the weather didn't cooperate! Ceci was a big help!

Hope you all have a great week!

Big Weekend in Aberdeen

Last night Wendell, Cecilia and I went to Aberdeen for the Britton-Hecla/Roncalli football game. Unfortunately, the Braves lost 15-19, but played tough against a good Cavalier team. We'll get them in the playoffs!!!!!

We met up with Wendell's sister Tammy and her husband Rodney. Ceci had fun playing, and I had fun cheering!

While this was taking place, Kevin Costner was at Northern State University speaking at the South Dakota Film Festival. I believe it has been 20 years since Dances with Wolves came out. Kind of neat to have a famous actor in town!

It's been a busy, sort of stressful week at school. We continue to be thankful for all that we have, and pray for those who are facing challenges. Cherish EVERY day!!

Ceci at the game

Kevin Costner in Aberdeen

Ceci getting ready to go to church

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan "Failure" Commercial

Sckerl Reunion

With Labor Day weekend comes the Sckerl Reunion! We gathered once again at Rose and Randy Heitmann's house. It was fun to see relatives from near and far. Ceci had fun with cousins Austin and Josephine. She also picked a bunch of apples which is one of her favorite pastimes!

Sadly, summer is disappearing, but I am happy to be back at school, even though I am still a bit overwhelmed!

Josephine and Cecilia

Ever tried getting three 2-year-olds to take a picture? Great fun!

Football Moon

I "borrowed" this from my friend Gretchen. The late summer moon is often very full and pretty at the Britton-Hecla football games. She got a great shot! It was a great night for football!

Ceci's First Horse Ride

Melody's horses are very friendly!

Today Cecilia got to ride, or sit on, my friend Melody's horse. It was such a beautiful day, and Ceci had a great time with the horses, dog and cat. She wasn't too sure about sitting on the horse, so we had her dolly give it a try first! Later that evening we went to the football game, which the braves won, 35-0. Go Braves!

We are enjoying our four day weekend and are looking forward to seeing the family at the Sckerl reunion. Enjoy the weekend!

Garbage Can Supper

Last night was the Annual (12th possibly?) Garbage Can Supper at my Aunt Maxine's house. Vegetables including corn, cabbage, potatoes, carrots and onions, along with brats are cooked in a garbage can over an open fire. It is always a great time with lots of friends and fabulous food. What a great way to celebrate the closing of summer! Thanks to all the "cookers"!

I brought mixed nut bars, which were a hit. Here is the recipe. Easy and very yummy!

Mixed Nut Bars

Whole graham crackers

1 can of mixed nuts

1 package of chocolate chips

Line a 9X13 pan with graham crackers. Spread nuts and chocolate chips on top.

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter

Bring to a rolling boil and boil for 4 minutes. Turn off heat and add 4 tsp. white syrup. Pour over the top of the crackers, nuts and chocolate chips. Let cool. Cut and enjoy!

The Can

My Uncle Max and Great Uncle Walt at the Garbage Can Supper

*Pictures "borrowed" from Matt Beck

Top Chef Masters

As most of you know, I am a big reality TV watcher. I love Top Chef, and just finished watching Top Chef Masters. The winner was Rick Bayless who is my favorite. Yea! Wouldn't if be cool to eat a meal prepared by a famous chef?

Lindenwood U-2nd oldest college west of the Missisippi

Here are some pictures of the Lindenwood University campus. I was very impressed!

The Big Summer Trip

Yes, we survived the trip to St. Louis. RJ is attending Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO which is just outside of St. Louis. We left on Tuesday and got home Saturday evening. He had orientation for a few days and started school on the 24th. He seems to be adjusting well, and liking the college, although he tells me it would be much better if he didn't have to go to class. Go figure!!

Wendell, Cecilia and I spent a few days seeing the sites of the area. We spent quite a bit of time in historic St. Charles--first capital of MO. Downtown is right next to the river and very quaint--brick buildings and cobblestone streets. We also visited the St. Louis Zoo, which was awesome! Next we went to the Anheiser-Busch Brewing Company. We didn't do the full tour, just saw the Clydesdales--don't think Ceci would have made the whole tour. Oh, and we couldn't pass up our complimentary glass of Budlight. Tasted very fresh and just brewed!

We also had supper at RJ's Granny's house. I got to see many of his relatives that I hadn't seen in years. It was great to see everyone!!

On the way home we stopped in Omaha at the Strategic Air Command Museum. We stayed downtown at the Magnolia Hotel and ate at Spaghetti Works in Old Town. Ceci was an awesome traveler, but we were very ready to be home!

We are very thankful for a safe trip. Now it's back to school! It's the second day and I am beat. It's great to be back see all the kids and staff.

The Leapster and princess crown got us through the last 4 hours of the trip!

RJ and Ceci the night before we got RJ moved in

Our first night in St. Charles

Lewis and Clark

Main Street St. Charles--lots of cobblestone!

Music on main street

The River


The St. Louis Zoo is AWESOME!!

Lunch at Fraziers--a little restaurant on the detour to Anheiser-Busch

The interstate we had to walk across to get to Fraziers

One of the clydesdales at A-B

Enjoying my free Budlight!

A view of downtown STL from the Arch park

Ceci, RJ and Granny Charlene

The above pics are from the Strategic Air Command Museum near Omaha

Ceci's balloon kitty