November 2016

 Breccan had his 5th grade program in November. He looked so DANGED handsome that I had to set up a backdrop and take a picture.

 Saying his speaking part. He did pretty good, not too fast, and fairly easy to understand.

 This dancing with the crowd happened at BayLea's 5th grade performance, and apparently it has become a tradition. (Or maybe it always was...I'd never been to a 5th grade performance before Bay's). Anyway, the last song, they grab people from the audience to dance with them, and Breccan got BayLea out there. It was hard to get a picture, but I got this one, over exposed and blurry.

 Breccan with Mr. Berry.

 The dreaded homework...

 Pretty light pictures... If there is pretty light...we must take pictures. At least according to me.

 This year we did the Operation Christmas Child shoe box project. We had a lot of fun shopping for some boy and girl, and stuffing the boxes.

 Of course, we went overboard...and had to practically SIT on the boxes to make them close.

Next year, I will be more organized and order our labels online so that we can track the boxes afterward. I was last minute, deciding to do it, looking online and finding that we only had a few days before boxes were collected.

 Oh, these two girls...two of my favorite people. So goofy together, and even though there is a pretty big age difference, I think they will always be good friends.

 They do love each other very much. BayLea has always idolized Leah, and I'm so happy that they are good buddies.

 Everyone helping out with the cooking of Thanksgiving dinner.

 The mimi and the pa.

 See that white stuff on Ethan's face? He got BayLea, and then BayLea was afraid to get him, so Mimi got him back with the whipped cream. He is making his famous black bottom banana pie.

 Ethan and Breccan went out to the back of the lot to shoot guns. God, guns are loud.

 And of course, pretty light alert again!

 Ethan's a darned good big cousin to my kids!

November!!

 Basketball is in full swing. They lost their first games this weekend. BayLea was very upset. But it's okay to lose, it's just a game! But it did hit her hard. The next weekend they won both games though. We have two more weeks of basketball, and those same two weeks, she will begin indoor soccer...basketball in the morning, soccer in the afternoon! Plus, now she is REALLY wanting to try volleyball...but volleyball through parks and rec is in the spring, which is when soccer is (and soccer is already paid for and committed to...the competitive league is a year commitment). So we will either just put her in camps this summer to learn the game, or sign her up for spring, IF we can get on a team that has practice some nights besides when soccer is. Then if games for both soccer and volleyball overlap, she will have to go to the soccer game. Anyway, I am so thrilled she wants to be in sports, and be active.

 BayLea's very last school program in Elementary school. I'm a bit sad! It's my last year with her at my school! This program was great fun. Lots of dancing (which included the audience) and the Grand Junction Symphony played with them for a few songs.

 Love how much fun she is having!

 Her teacher, Ms. Kahler. She is so much fun!

 BayLea, Sarah, and Mr. Berry.

 Leah came to town! We hardly ever have her here anymore. So she came to lunch with the kids.

 Mimi came too.

 And they are little nut cases when they are together!

 But I love the true love they have for each other. I think they'll always be good friends.

 Had to have my camera worked on. I was testing it out, and thought it was good to go. But I had a photo shoot a few days later, and had almost NOTHING in focus. Talk about embarrassing. Had to reschedule the shoot, and I sent back the camera to be worked on again. I hope it comes back perfect, because I can't afford to upgrade.

 Veteran's Day at school. We really celebrated our Vets. This was our wall of fame. If I had been on the ball, I would have included more family members on this wall. Grandpa Sparks, Jerod, my grandpa, and I'm sure there are more. But life was busy, and all I got up was Chad.

Happy November everyone!