Checkers making sure the pumpkin has been thoroughly cleaned out
Checkers fell asleep in Mikes hood one day when he was working on his Bible study

Mike and Jay working on the storm trooper
Megan and Tori carving the cat

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Well this is a little late as halloween is almost over but it was still what we did for halloween. After RUF last night (tuesday) we had a pumpkin carving contest with the opportunity to dress up if you wanted to. We had a great turn out and it was alot of fun seeing how creative everyone is. I was really impressed with our students ability to carve pumpkins. We even had a Cinderella carriage carved out. I unfortunately did not get a picture of it. Mike and Jay carved a storm trooper pumpkin. Jay is part of some national group that dresses up like Star Wars figures and goes to schools and such to put on shows for people.

I have to admit my favorite pumpkin was the one Tori and Megan did for Checkers. It was a cat face and they carved a C on the back for Checkers. Mike and I put it on our front porch and lit it for tonight. We also tried to get checkers to take his picture with it but he was more interested in climbing in it.

There was also some great costumes with the Cat in the Hat, Indiana Jones, House (from the TV show), and even the football coach Billy Gillespie. The night was a late one as we did not get home until one a clock and then had to unwind for about an hour before we went to sleep. The party was a great success though and I think everyone had a great time with some students even showing off their dancing skills to Michael Jacksons "Thriller". Hope everyone is doing well. We have a busy weekend with the college retreat being in Gallatin friday thru Sunday. Two of our students that arent going are going to come house (mainly cat) sit for us. We really appreciate it and hope Checkers is well behaved.

Blakely and Mike in their matching shirts

Hello all! Mike and I have had a crazy weekend since we had 2 RUF activies. On Friday night we had our Barn Dance. We had this last year and the students really enjoyed it. It was a great turn out and the weather was perfect, not too cold and not too hot. I made white chili and two types of cornbread (one plain and the other brocolli)which turned out delicious. I am glad because now I have two good recipes to use. Mike and I both really enjoy square dancing and I think it helped everyone get to know each other better and be more comfortable.

We woke up early saturday morning since we were throwing a tailgate. It was quite crazy trying to get all the food ready and cornhole and other games together. We are beginning to wonder what Brad is going to do w/out us next year as we bring alot of things to activies, but hopefully leadership from the students will step up. Mike also got to use his cornhole boards for the first time. They look really good white but he will put something on them as soon as he decideds what. He put alot of work into them and they are really smooth. We finally got home last night at 9 exhausted. I was quite annoyed with how dirty our small apt was so I got a second wind and cleaned until 10:45. Mike offered to help or do it but Checkers had been home all day by himself and someone needed to play with him, so I told Mike too since I was the one that was soo annoyed by the apt.

Today was relaxing and we feel a little ready to start a new week. We are beginning to have students over every monday night for dinner which is alot of fun but it takes about 3 hours of cooking because I try to do a homemade meal. I am experimenting with lots of casserole dishes though as those are easier with only one dish to clean up after the meal. We had 9 boys here last monday night and wow can they eat. We are having girls tom so I am not preparing quite as much food.

I made Checkers a bed for his cage today and I am proud of how it turned out. It looks a little like a baby bed but thats okay. He already likes it though as I caught him cat napping on it this afternoon while I was finishing sewing the other piece. I am excited he likes it and I think it will be great for when we travel.

At Buffulo Wings watching the Alabama game
Trying to be strong while I get the shot
Dad and Mike at the place where we picked up the kitten
The kitten by his water bowl in the kitchen

This past weekend, my parents (Liz) came to visit and they brought all our cat supplies because we got a kitten! On Friday we went to Sams and then came home and fried chicken- Mike was very excited because he got fried chicken, rolls, roast, brown rice, and cookies- all things he loves but I dont make very much.

Saturday we went and got free flu shots. It was crazy how many people were out there. I did not really care to go (for any of you who know my normal reaction to shots), but it was good to get it and well it saved 60 dollars. The rest of the day was mainly spent watching football and eating bbq. We also worked a little bit on putting Mikes stocking together as I have finishedit =o). Clemson and Alabama both played frustrating games but at least Alabama pulled it out.

Sunday we went to church and then played cards. At 2 we met the adoption lady in Southern Kentucky to pick up the kitten (he doesnt have a name yet- we are open to suggestions). From there my parents headed back to SC and mike and I headed back to Lexington with the new addition to our household. He is very cute, small, and fuzzy. He is much more shy than Oscar was and it is taking him a little while to get adjusted and explore. We figure this is a good thing though in that he will hopefully be very happy staying indoors with us. We are both very excited and looking forward to raising him.

RUF Girls Night....So sorry it has been forever since I have last blogged, but we do have some exciting news since then so it is going to have to take up 2 posts. First we had our girls and guys nights on Sept 28. The girls had an Audrey Hepburn themed night. We had soup and salad and then a chocolate fountain for dessert. It was very delicious and I think everyone had a good night. Later that evening we had a competition to see who could dress up a girl on their team the best as Audrey. They had to use a roll of toilet paper, a scarf, and a flower. This was a very funny endeavor and created alot of laughs.

There are no pics of guys night since I had the camera, but they grilled out and played pocker and had a cornhole tournament. They had a great turn out with some of the guys Mike has been establishing relationships with the past year, who havent ever been to RUF coming. This was great and it seems like they all had a fun time.