WAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!

OK, so KU lost The Big One...we're still ranked No. 5 and most likely will be headed to a great bowl game. I don't know many Jayhawks who are complaining. We've had a great season, so far. At least Kansas City didn't erupt into a riot (the rivalry is fierce, so it was a legitimate concern).

Ken had stayed home instead of traveling to Bartlesville so he could go to the KU vs. MU game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. He accompanied brother-in-law Matt Eblen to the game and both had a great time. Here are two of Ken's pictures...

Ken arrives at Arrowhead...more than an hour until gametime.

Ken and Matt had awesome seats (they did need to look around the dude in the KU cap, but neither cared). Ken's ticket originally belonged to dad-in-law Tom Eblen, who reliquished his Arrowhead seat for the comfort of his recliner and warm house. So, Ken and Matt opted for the Park-and-Ride and took the bus in...great call, because traffic was horrible.

Thanksgiving in Bartlesville

This past weekend, Courtney, Megan and Mary traveled to Bartlesville, Oklahoma to rendezvous with 13 relatives over the holiday. Meet the family:


Half of the group gathered at Golden Corral: From left to right, Kevin Ryan (Broomfield, Colo), his son Jordan Ryan (Torrance, CA), and wife Sharon Ryan (my mom's cousin). Half hidden is my brother, Matt Eblen, my Aunt Shirley Kygar, and my dad, Tom Eblen. Confused, yet?

This is Matt...being Matt.

At left is cousin Kirk Warzel (Idaho Falls, Idaho), who shot many, many more photos than I did and hopefully captured more of the relatives who managed to evade my camera. In the middle is Melissa Ryan (Kevin and Sharon's daughter, of South Bend, Ind.), and my great aunt Floy Warzel. Floy's husband Morgan has gone for thirds at the food buffet.

Melissa bonded with Mary and Megan almost immediately.

Mary checked out her Great-Great Aunt Floy's new wheels.
Floy did not give her the keys.


Grandma Jeannie read both girls a story for bedtime in our hotel room.


Sharon and Megan


One more spin around the apartment before heading back to Indiana and Kansas...


...both Megan and Mary were out cold by the time we crossed the state line.

Daddy's version of a Thanksgiving feast...

(First of three weekend posts...)

As inspired by the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Ken and the kids celebrated while Courtney was at work last Thursday...what a meal:

Hauling turkey buns...

This turkey, one of several wild fowl that frequent our neighborhood for its acorn abundance, probably knew that some of us haven't yet been to the grocery store for Thanksgiving tomorrow. It ran through our backyard enroute to a nearby creek.

All this excitement, plus our first snow of the season...just a dusting, but 40 degrees cooler than yesterday. Brr!

Happy birthday, Uncle Matt!

This past Friday, we attended a surprise birthday party for Matt Eblen (Courtney's brother), who turns the Big 36 on Nov. 18. His work and church buddies organized an ambush party that included a pizza dinner, a pinata and gathering of friends and family. Here are a few McCain photos from the event:



That's Uncle Matt at the center of the photo, flanked by his friends (who hosted the event), and he's just realized that he's been had.

Ken and Mary

Megan

Shrine Circus in Kansas City

We always enjoy when the Shrine Circus comes to town. It's a smaller, family-friendly circus. We received tickets from one of Ken's co-workers whose husband is a Shriner, and had a great time. Megan got to ride an elephant (with her mom) during intermission...that's us in the back.

Halloween in Overland Park, second attempt at posting

Just figured out that I shouldn't be hitting "RETURN" after writing my title until I'm ready to post this thing...yeehah, technology.

Attached this time around are photos from Halloween. The greater Kansas City area has been graced with a beautiful fall, and the leaves have been stunning. We're enjoying the show while it lasts...and in the meantime, we're raking (see above).

I'm typing this with one eye on the televised KU vs. OSU game...those of us who know KU's historically dreary football history are going out of our minds right now (both from the victories, and also from seeing our team playing well on primetime TV).

Megan and Mary, ready to leave on their Trick-or-Treating jaunt. Ever the princess, Megan dressed as Belle from the Disney movie "Beauty and the Beast". Mary went in the only costume she would wear (a ballerina). On Halloween night, she rejected her earlier choices (firefighter, ladybug and wrecking ball). We finally got her to wear a ballerina outfit and called it good.

Halloween aftermath: Mary received a blueberry-flavored ringpop from one of our neighbors...Ken claims that he doesn't remember who handed out the pops, and who cares! Mary enjoyed it very much.

Post-ringpop, Mary gave her beloved Lambie a kiss before bedtime. While Mary was at school the next day, Lambie got to go to the spa (read: washing machine). We should all have it so good...

Halloween in Overland Park