Thanksgiving Week

I absolutely love Fall Break!  We started it with a flag football game and ended with Black Friday!

Trevor playing against the Chiefs.  They would face this team in the championship game again!

I went shopping at WinCo for some Thanksgiving yummies. Found my "10-2-4" bottle of goodness!

This is how I bake pies!  Lol.  I made one chocolate silk and a pumpkin. Yummy!! 

Eric brought home a loaf of this goodness, so I could make his favorite Artichoke Stuffing for Thanksgiving.  He even cuts it up for me so I can dry it out. 

Aunt Nicole brought her face paints for the day and Trevor wanted a dragon.

The table is set and ready for dinner. 

My plate of yummy goodness. Look at all those carbs!!

He was a super helper.  We make a great team. 

Our beautiful fairy princess!!

First time in like 19 years of marriage he has ever gone shopping on Black Friday.  It was a historic day.  He was just going to get a small tool he needed for a project and came back with this... 

November Highlights

Trevor having a blast with participating in the Webelos obstacle course.  He loves Cub Scouts.

Flag football season has started!  Again, Eric is playing against our good friend's team. 

Peanuts Day at School.  We have a Pig Pen and Sally! We saw the movie opening weekend.  I absolutely loved it and never have laughed so much.  

Seriously, why can't they keep my favorite "red straw"--you know, like the ones Sonic has!

Jacob at an Ortho visit. 

Our forgetful Tooth Fairy came.  Chloe was so excited she remembered!

Another chess tournament, Chloe received a "Most Improved" trophy and Trevor a participant medal.  They need to continue practicing. Can you believe they are wearing shorts and short sleeve in the middle of November.  Love my desert rats!

Really?  Can't they just pick one cup to use for an entire day!

The boys had fun spending their grade money.  They have had their eyes on these Halo toy guns.  

My mom...she came for the week of parent conferences to help me out while Eric was on travel.  She had fun taking the kids to pick pine cones.  She then baked and bleached them for a craft she was working on. 

Having a Google Chat with some of my desert besties!  Miss these girls. 

When visiting Aunt Kendra for Sydney's farewell party, she let Chloe pick a plant to take home.  Here she is watering it and loving it! 

Travel before Thanksgiving

Eric leaving on travel is never fun.  This year was really hard due to the parent conference minimum days.  Uggh.  I knew I needed help with getting my kids home and watching them.  So I called my mom and enlisted the help of a few friends. Not going to lie, the week was stressful.  We still have a few more days to go!  I think I totally lost it with my kids once or twice.  I know it is normal, but the holidays always make it more stressful.  I think part of me just wants to be supermom.  The other part really could give a flying you know what...  

Then, my husband sends me a picture like this.  And then, I realize all his job provides for our family.  The small part we play in all of this.  The destroyer pictured behind him has a special significance for our family.  He was given an award from the Naval Post-Graduate School, that destroyer is the award's namesake and the ship the Navy assigned him to work with during his testing of the system he is integrating.  Pretty Cool, huh?!  It makes me pause and reflect on the past 18 or so years we have been married.  All of our ups and downs have been worth the journey because we have each other--no matter what.  I can't complain over 10 days, some people have much longer without their spouse, so I will keep going and press forward.  Good Luck Eric and have fun with your ship!

Operation Christmas Child

This year was the first year I have ever heard about Operation Christmas Child.  What a wonderful organization!  After showing my kids the videos online we all agreed to make a shoe box.  The kids had fun shopping for their child.  We dropped off the shoe boxes after football on Saturday, they are super excited to see where they go!

Disney On Ice Girl's Weekend

When I learned my niece's Open House was the same weekend as Disney on Ice, I knew it was fate.  I called some friends and made the plans to take Chloe to see the show.  I am so glad I did.  I loved every minute and I know Chloe did too!  Halfway through the show she asked me if it was real ice, silly girl.  

The Rapunzel finale was the best!  It was ice skating meets Cirque du Soleil.

On Sunday I helped get stuff ready for Sydney's going away party.  It was beautiful.  My sister definitely knows how to give a send off!

Sydney and Josh preparing the treats for the chocolate fountain. 

The food and company was awesome!  Best of Luck Sister Hubble!

New Hair

It was time and hair grows back!  I honestly love my hair now.  It saves me time and no headaches or tangles. 

Rest of October

Some more October Highlights....

Fall is here!  Love when I see pumpkins and cranberries in the store.  It makes me happy. 

Chloe listening to General Conference and working on her activity pages.  I love how my children focus and really try hard to listen. 

Lots of rain during October, makes traveling more interesting. 

My desert rats playing in the sprinkles of rain.

I love our beautiful desert sky!

Chloe and Trevor pause while the taps are played at sundown.  I love working on and living near a naval base--sounds of freedom right there!

Jacob tuning up for his fall band concert. 

Who needs expensive toys?  Kids still love boxes!

A thoughtful and creative gift from one of my students. 

Trevor was student of the month.  I have new swag for my wagon!

Chloe sleeping while we drive home through Lake Isabella to get home from Bakersfield.