Giving Thanks

There is no better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than spending it with family, and by quietly skipping two days of school, we were able to spend time with everyone in some of our favorite places.  First stop was the farm in Alabama, where the kids couldn't wait to go exploring with Casey and Holly, Grandma and Grandpa's dog.

 

 These two were best buddies out in the woods...Casey even began to see Holly as a (*gasp*) friend!

I absolutely love this picture!

Some of the fall colors were just gorgeous in the deep woods.

Grandpa's new fire pit was perfect for smores every night and keeping warm while watching for shooting stars.

We also discovered the perfect dachshund transport system on the 4-wheeler.  I'm sure these storage compartments were created with this in mind, right?

Boys and their sticks!

Hanging in the deer blind together, looking for the perfect shot.  With the camera.

We saw several deer...whitetail, like this one...

...and super adorable, like these!

 After Alabama, it was time to head to Conroe to see the rest of the family and catch up with the cousins.  The big boys were pretty happy to play minecraft all together for the first time.

 Amazingly, we got some really cute pictures of all the boys together at the park!  I love all these sweet faces.

Doesn't matter the size, screens are fascinating to boys big and small.

We were so thankful to get to spend time with our loved ones and can't wait to do it again at Christmas!

November

November was such a busy month but it was packed with some pretty incredible experiences.  I gave Matt tickets to see Adele last Christmas and the big day finally arrived and she was totally worth the wait!

 

Her concert was absolutely incredible, not just because of her amazing talent but also her personality and heartfelt stories behind many of her songs.

I could listen to her talk and sing for days.  Hope to see you again, Adele!

I spent several weeks coordinating a group of lovely women who worked together to transform the school stage into a pirate ship for the 3rd grade musical.

It was a massive team effort, especially when it came to figuring out how to hang some large and heavy pieces, but we put our heads (and muscles) together and it came out pretty great.  I was just praying that this big sign would still be hanging the following week when the kids performed!

Alex kept asking when he'd get to go to his first Aggie football game, so like any good parents, we draped him in maroon and headed to College Station!  The kids had to see bottlecap alley first thing.

It is so much fun walking around campus with the kids and sharing our memories.  I sure hope these boys get to make their own memories here one day.

We bumped into our pastor Gregg Matte, which was really cool because we used to hear him talk at Breakaway while we were in college.

We made our way over to Kyle Field and this boy was excited!!

Gig 'em, Aggies!  BTHO Ole Miss!

Selfies in front of the big screen :)

The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band always wins halftime!

The Aggies were up when we left in the 4th quarter because the kids were worn out, so we'll just pretend they won the game.  We did make a quick stop for Alex to test out the piano in the MSC.

The following week was the big Pirates production and the stage turned out pretty cool!  The kids were so excited.

 

My pirate couldn't wait to get up there and perform.  He'd been practicing his lines for weeks and seemed born to be on stage.

Alex and his buddy Kelvin.

Alex was so much fun to watch on stage because he loved every minute and never quit acting, whether he was speaking or not.  It makes sense that our dramatic kid would be a natural actor.

 

In between all of these other events, the Blue Jays were fighting their way through the playoffs.  A rainout saved us from missing a game for Adele and an early game allowed us to get to College Station for the football game.  We very nearly had a conflict with the musical but they lost a heartbreaker and ended up with a 7:30 game, so we had to hustle out of the musical and get ready in the car on the way to the ballfields.  They gave it their all and nearly came back to win, but got knocked out before the semi-finals.  It was a great season, though, and we were so happy that Alex had a great experience and learned a lot with his team.

Finally, some fall weather rolled in and Casey welcomed blanket season.  There is a dachshund shaped lump in the covers every night when I read with the kids.

Excuse me?  I was trying to sleep!

Halloween

The selection of the halloween costume is an important choice, and Alex considered many options this year before he chose a peashooter from Plants vs. Zombies (a character from an app, xbox game, and comic books that he loves).  I thought it sounded like a great idea until I realize that peashooter costumes do not exist, even on Amazon!  I had to flex my creative muscles and figure out how to make one for him.  Pinterest was helpful with paper mache, but my first attempt was very unsuccessful when the balloon I was using as a form popped and the entire thing collapsed.

 

My second try was much better and much sturdier after a week of adding layer upon layer.  Matt helped with the engineering of the shooter nose (is that what you'd call it?).

After some spray paint, felt, and leaves, it was really taking shape!

Of course, as a potted plant, we had to figure out a way to make a portable pot and it finally all came together!

Ready for the book character parade at school!

Ben was much easier - he chose Little Bear from the Indian in the Cupboard for both the book character parade and trick or treating, and we were able to borrow Grumpy's Indian costume so the work for his costume was minimal.  He sure made one handsome Indian!

I really enjoyed seeing my peashooter at the parade, although I'm not sure he could see much of us!

Little Bear looked great as well and I know he was happy to see that most of the 5th graders were dressed up as well.  Apparently it can be risky wearing a costume when you're 10 years old.

By the time the classroom parties rolled around, the kids had shed all of their costume pieces to make sure they didn't get slowed down on the inflatables.

Peashooter turned mummy with his sweet teacher, Mrs. Rafferty.

Casey didn't get left out of the costume action - she picked out her dinosaur costume with a caveman rider.  She regretted her decision almost immediately.

After a busy day at school, they could barely wait to get back into costume and go trick or treating!

Our neighborhood gang was a bit smaller this year, because some kids are getting too old and other have moved away, but it was much easier to keep track of everyone!

Trick or treat!

It is one of my favorite nights in the neighborhood to see all the kids out and visit so many of the neighbors.  Every year the kids love to stop in this yard for a picture.

October Birthdays

Happy 40th birthday to Matt!  It was wonderful to celebrate the big day and it's amazing how 40 doesn't sound as old as it used to.  Alex carefully counted the black candles out for the cake and we made a small bonfire to celebrate.

 

Thankfully, we had an absolutely gorgeous October with warm weather, so I was able to surprise Matt with a trip to NLand surf park in Austin just after it opened.  A couple of hours of mid-week surfing less than a two-hour drive from our house?  Yes, please!

No crowds?  No sand?  NO SHARKS?  Even better!!

Glad he got to hang 5 to celebrate his milestone birthday this year.

We also got to celebrate Grammy's birthday.  Last I heard she's still 39...

 

The other October birthday in our house isn't quite as big a celebration, but we can't forget our baby!

Casey was very fortunate that her 3rd birthday fell on fridge clean-out day and I noticed we had some old salmon, which happens to be her favorite food in the world.  Lucky girl got a little individual salmon cake!

She didn't share one bite!

Braces

The time has come...Ben is old enough for braces!  He was unimpressed with the first orthodontist we visited (as was I) but thrilled with the second one because of the awesome 3D images we got to see of his face and skull.  That's not why we chose the second orthodontist, but it helped to have been excited to see the guy and talk to him!

 

 The big day!  Before...

 ...and after!  Just tops for now. 

I had forgotten how painful the first few days were after getting braces but Ben survived on soup and milkshakes until he could chew again.  What a trooper!  Can't wait to see the beautiful smile when the braces come off and fingers crossed he won't need round 2 after the rest of his permanent teeth grow in.