High School Concert

These two have their first High School band concert under their belts: they did great!

Theater Crew

Ali spent most days after school for a couple of months on her school's tech crew building the set for their fall play. It was fun to go and see all her hard work displayed! (This is the "Mom, hurry and take a picture," look!)

Thanksgiving

This was the first year in several that I hosted Thanksgiving. So, I started thinking about the tables and bought (quite) a few things I needed to set pretty tables. I was pleased with the results!

My aunt Jeanene, who makes the most lovely pottery, asked me what I would like her to make me. She had just posted some little pumpkins she had made and I told her I'd like some too. I loved them!

Emily came home from college and it was so good to see her. I set an extra plate at the adult table AND an extra at the kids' table and let her choose where to sit...she sat with the adults for a bit, and then with the kids. Perfection!

I'm so thankful for this family of mine!

Glasses

Did I mention Eli got glasses? He just wears them when he's using screens, and finds his eyes much less tired now. Hooray!

Fruits of his labor

 Logan needed some orange sodas for a school project, and everyone enjoyed the leftovers.

Drawing Together

These two both love to draw, and so sometimes they enjoy doing it together. Kind of fun to do a solitary activity with someone else!

Silly Logan

I got these mustache stickers with something I ordered and Logan played along with me and wore one for a bit!

And then this empty box made a good hat.

I like that my almost-adult son can still be silly sometimes.

Camp Out

We wanted to squeeze in one more campout this year. Jason took the older three to Starved Rock toward the end of October. Eli was excited to use the brand new tent he got for his birthday.

Jake and I "camped" at our house, with an indoor fire and sleeping in our own beds! Someone has to be home for Max, after all.

Gilmore Girls

I'm introducing Ali to the joy that is Gilmore Girls. And actually, Logan and Eli like it too, and often watch with us, laughing at the jokes. Watching an episode is one of the ways Ali likes to unwind, and since it's something we watch together, I often have to "make time" to watch. 

At this part, where mom and daughter were sitting on the couch watching TV, Ali said, "Look, mom, it's us!" And then I had to take a picture.