You've Been Booed!!!!

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!!!!!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

Although I have not been entering the contests like I used to, I happened to fill out one a while back that paid off. I was notified a couple of weeks ago of the win and received the prize within a week. I won a Logitech Squeezebox Boom from MP3Tunes.com. You hook it up to your home network and you can access music services and thousands of streaming internet radio stations. It works great. I got it a week or so ago and it is really cool. They announced me as a winner on their blog, and it is suppose to be on their website soon. I hadn't heard of one before I won it, so I included a demonstration video on it below.

Tee Ball 2008

The Mudcats finished up their season this week with three games to close out the year. We had a few rainouts throughout the season so we had to make them up at the end. The season was definately a challenge this year. In retrospect, we should have done the coach pitch this year, but Brandon still had fun playing on the same team as his friends Mason and Avery. Since I helped coach his team this year, the number of pictures taken at the games decreased dramatically! You can enjoy a few of the pictures from the season below.

Happy Birthday Paul!

You might not recognize the Birthday Boy above. He's transformed himself after escaping Illinois to St. Louis. In case you need help remembering the "Old Paul" that we all know and love, you can be reminded by scrolling over the picture above! Happy Birthday Paul......we miss you!

Cub Scout Outing

September 20th - Brandon had his first Cub Scout Outing at New Salem Park. He and his troop joined the other troops from Pleasant Plains at New Salem Park to tour the grounds and learn new things towards their Cub Scout badges. The event lasted all afternoon and into the night. Some of the Cub and Boy Scouts camped out, but we went home around 9:00 after the fire bowl and Brandon receiving his Bobcat badge and Ultimate belt loop. He's excited about earning a lot more badges and loops. The slideshow below shows pictures from the event.

Eye Exams!

September 13th - Brandon and Brittany went to get eye exams for school. Since it is a new law that requires the eye exams, the clinic had a special day on Saturday to handle all the young kids. They got their faces painted before the exam and Brittany took along the class teddy bear as it was her weekend to bring it home and write about what they did together. Everyone did "beary" well and passed with flying colors.

Fifth Yellow Stripe

September 3rd - Brandon earned his fifth yellow stripe. We knew he was getting close to it. He's excited about working on to get his yellow belt next! Hopefully his tee ball games won't interfere too much with his classes.

Another Tooth Out

August 27th - After Brandon's first tee ball game he was having his snack and his loose tooth became even more loose. It was sticking out forward and with a little tug from Dad, it came out! As far as Brandon knew the tooth and Dad's hand was red due to the Fruit Rollup that he was eating.

New Music Contest!

Thanks to the One2One Network again, we get to offer another music trivia contest for a great prize. This time we are offering a prize package of the new album, Devils & Angels, from the great band Melee and an Album Tote! In order to be entered into the contest, you must email me the answers to the following questions listed below:


* What is the song, Rhythm of Rain, written about?


* Where did the band originate?


* What was the name of their first album?


Please email me your answers to be entered in the contest.

Contest ends on October 15th, so don't delay. The winner will be randomly selected from all correct entries. There was a lot of interest in the Alanis Morissette contest and the Idina Menzel contest, and I am sure this one will generate a lot also.

Contest brought to you by:

St. Louis Weekend

August 29th-31st - It was the second annual Labor Day weekend that we spent with the Kreidler's in St. Louis. Paul and I attempted to remove his concrete boulder at the house on Saturday, while the girls and kids went to the zoo. Before heading downtown to the Illinois - Missouri football game, we met up with them at Blueberry Hill in University City. The kids enjoyed waving at the people walking by while we ate. Since the tailgate wasn't as exciting as we thought it might be, Paul and I visited the casino that was nearby to waste some time before the stadium opened. We were about out of our allotted gambling funds when we both hit and we decided to quit while we had money to cash out. I actually was able to double my money that I was gambling with so it wasn't a total loss. The total loss came at the football game where the Illini lost again to a very good Missouri team. Illinois had an early lead and quickly gave it away by allowing a kick-off return for a touchdown on the next play. It looked like they might make a push to get back in the game but a couple of turnovers sealed the deal. Overall it was a great weekend thanks to our gracious hosts!

Miss You Grannie Hazel!!!

On August 27th, Angie's great-grandmother passed away at the age of 103. The picture above was taken when we visited with her while she celebrated her 100th birthday in 2005. She was very alert and always active. It was great that the kids got to meet their great-great-grandmother. We will miss you Grannie Hazel.

I Just Couldn't Resist!

Only thing better than watching the Cardinals win in October is watching the Cubs collapse. Maybe next century?!?!