November

Ryan's class went to Barnes & Noble to do some of their Fall Frolic songs and dances. It was so cute!

Bella one Saturday morning, thinking she looked cool. I remind her of this when she's about 16...

Mid-November! And we're GRILLING!!! It was a super mild fall.

Date Night! Our first one since Jamaica in May. We saw Spectre, which was really good.

Ryan's final football game. They got to play at a REAL stadium, which was a new experience for the boys.

His game face. Always smiling.

It was NOT a mild fall day! It was cold, but the boys had fun. Ryan even ran into the end zone for a touchdown! I was too busy cheering to record it.

Coach Mann giving the team their "Good Job" post-game talk.

Celebrating with doughnuts!

Bella's class did a Veteran's Day program. The whole third grade was involved and they put on quite a show!

Ryan dressed up for the show too, even though he wasn't in it. Blue pants, white shirt, red bow tie (thanks, Maga!).

We celebrated Sasha's 1st birthday! We don't know the actual date, so we've chosen 11/11.

The kids packed shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child this year. It's a tradition that I love. We don't know yet where our boxes will end up, but we're tracking them and should hear soon!

After going there for Ryan's program, the kids were obsessed with going back to Barnes & Noble. So we drove there in the rain early one Saturday morning.

But by the time we'd been there a while, the rain turned in to snow. Here's the kids' first glimpse of it. I take this picture every year.

And of course, once they saw the Starbucks Cafe they were hungry! Hot chocolate and sweets for breakfast!

The kids HAD to play in it. Bella tried sledding even though we had about 2 inches at this point.

Sasha LOVED the snow! Almost as much as the kids! She went in and out all day and would just take off tearing through the yard eating as much as she could.

This.Fuzzy.Head. Bed head at its finest as he watches a recorded NASCAR race.

And then it was Thankgiving!! We were so blessed to have Mom and Dad come early to watch the kids while I worked, and then Jeff and Donna and the boys joined us Wednesday night. The fun lasted the whole week and into the weekend.

Cousin love.

Eating leftovers - turkey, ham, pulled pork and brisket! Thanks, Dad!

Happy family!

Decorating ornaments. Donna had the brilliant idea - the kids loved it!

Painting craziness.

Since Maga and Papa wouldn't be here for Christmas, we let the kids open their presents from them.

Maga's teaching Bella how to use her new sewing machine.

Daddy and Ryan making a building so Ryan can blow it up with his demolition kit!

Aunt Donna took the kids fishing in the pond behind the house.

And then it was time for Christmas stuff! The kids helped unpack and decorate the tree! Woohoo!

They had to stop everything when they found the nativity set. They replayed the whole thing.

And the kids did the whole tree themselves! It's looking a little wonky, and we might need to get a new one next year.

Thanksgiving, y'all!

Papa gives the kids a push on the neighbors' tire swing.

Bella was up for a higher ride.

We had Christmas early.

The kids waited so patiently!

Bella's hugging her baby doll set: a high chair, pack n play, stroller and diaper bag.

Ryan's almost as excited about his Snowcaps as he is the drum set!

The kids tear open their bowling game (which lasted only a day).

Ryan learns how to use his drums.

Laura Ingalls Wilder and Hooligan ready for some bowling!

Bella getting ready for her s'mores.

Yummy!

Little Man by the fire.

Silver Dollar City! The carousel was a must.

Bella and her dearly beloved Uncle Jeff.

GingerBella.

Joshua tried to photobomb Ryan.

My favorite part? Funnel cake!

We were right near the gates when the Light Parade began. Here's Santa on his sleigh!

Family picture time!

Jeff grew the pumpkins. He cut up the pumpkins. He steamed the pumpkins. He made pumpkin pie. So proud!

No trip would be complete without throwing rocks in the lake!

Hungry little buggers ready for Thanksgiving!

Ryan getting ready to break Papa's jaw.

And of course Bella has to do it too!

Bella sportin' her Thanksgiving dress.

We had lunch at Hollister Hook & Ladder Pizza. Ryan got to try on the gear.

So did Bella. The boots were so heavy she had to pick them up by the handles just to walk!

And right across the street, the Polar Express from Branson came rolling by.

Despite their love of trains, the noise proved too much.

Giving hugs before we leave!

I don't know-do you think Maga loves Ryan?

And Bella?

This little girl has Papa wrapped around her finger.

And of course, the legendary Uncle Jeff!

On the way to MO, we stopped at a truck stop that sold this crazy getup. Bella wanted it, but Joshua and I said we'd wait and look at Branson for a regular hat and gloves. On the way home, somewhere around 1 am, we pulled off for gas. At the same truck stop. We couldn't deny Bella her crazy hat/scarf/mittens combo this time. She loves it, even though she looks like she's been eaten by a rabbit.