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.

July Flew By!

 WOOHOO!! July completely posted - and it's only August 15th!!

Can't believe how fast July went for us. We spent most of the time waiting for uncle Jeff and aunt Donna's wedding to happen, and then in a blink, the month was over. Here are some highlights.

Blowing bubbles with Sasha.

One day the kids and I visited the park. I took this picture because it reminded me of another one from October 2010...

I absolutely love this picture. The two kids by a creek, with Sash watching over them.

We dropped Sasha off at home and headed to ANOTHER park, because this one they get to splash in...

And it was early, but we let Bella get rid of her booster seat! She was so excited!

Birthday celebration! My girl is 8. That sounds old. I don't like it a bit. I keep asking her to stop growing, but she refuses.

Getting her skates from Grammy & Grampa.

Raven Queen from the book "Everafter High" that we're reading together. Love that we're doing that.

And then it was time to go to Chicago to celebrate Uncle Jeff and Aunt Donna's wedding!

My crazy animals at the zoo.

We met up with my cousin Erika and her family, so Bella had a friend in her cousin, Sophie.

And then it was on to all the wedding hooplah!

Thunderous applause!

As it was Bella's actual birthday, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Donna were nice enough to recognize it on THEIR big weekend.

The cutest flower girl and ring bearer that ever were.

All my favorite people.

Our family picture.

What I got to see of the big day from the back of the church (I was the wedding coordinator).

The kids went back to MO with Maga and Pap for the week before I joined them for another week.

Maga in her happy place, with her two babies.

Sasha's thinking, "Where did the little noisy ones go?"

The two early birds on the deck.

I love this picture of him. Staring off into nature.

And no trip to MO is complete without Braum's ice cream. Bella asked if I was going to take their pictures because I always take their pictures. She got extra messy on purpose for hers.

On to Silver Dollar City!

Bella covered in tiny droplets of water.

Always one for a roller coaster ride!

Ryan's first year riding by himself.

Forcing the kids to slow down a minute and enjoy the view.

Honestly. This girl cracks me up.

 There is so much for the kids to do in MO. Here are few highlights of our day in Branson.

Getting meet Tow Mater...

...and Lightning McQueen.

Ryan was tall enough for the "rookie" go-karts. He passed two other kids!

Bella had a kid bumping her and trying to pass, but she maintained her position.

First time on the bumper boats. They came off completely soaked but smiling.

 Photos in the giant rocking chair at the Grand Village Shops.

 

 

Bella decides to surf on the chair.

More to come next month!