November - All about Family

As November draws to a close and the Christmas season stampedes through our door, I want to jot down just how special November was to us.  We were honored to be a part of a very special family wedding on Nate's side, 36 years in the making.  We also were honored with the presence of my whole family plus some extended family as we hosted our first Thanksgiving in our new home.  It's been several days since Thanksgiving and I can honestly still say I had a blast and would easily do it again.  I loved having family in our home.  I loved making mistakes and figuring it all out as a first timer.   I loved how much joy and comfort I saw through my kids interacting with everyone here.  I sound both cheesy and insane and I'll probably eat my words at some point in my future but this is my truth now.  I hope I get the chance to host everyone again sometime.   I'll let pictures do the rest of the talking.

Hot Tubbing at Chicago Hotel Pool

 My men

 What to do on a snow day - school is closed - kinda day?  Face painting of course

 Choo Choo

Thanks to our friend Eric, this is one of my favorite all time shots of Elise.  

 Oma and her little helpers

 Thanksgiving crafting

 Table setting

 Thanksgiving Dinner is served

The Gimp

I have been living in our home for almost a year and I still can't remember which light switch is for the fan or for the light when I go into the bathroom.  I am starting to leave the radio on the classical station instead of the usual 94.7 more often.   I played 4 games of a doubles match over the weekend and instead of hitting a running down the line winner, I keeled over stop-drop-and roll style re-tearing my plantar fascia after doing the exact same thing just 4 months ago.  I am feeling old and I'm letting it get to me today.  I hear my Dad often say how he feels like he's still a young active man but his body just doesn't cooperate and he's in his 70's.  I'm starting to understand what he means.  Yes, roll your eyes all of you reading this that are older than me but I'm having a down and self-critical day.  It happens.  

Looking at all the pictures from October helps perk me up some.  I see my almost 3 year old Paul and Elise in what I call their prime of cuteness.  Gosh, I love this age.  When they are being fun and being so good - I try so hard to make time stop.  I don't remember that when I worked.  When I had work successes, I was quick to think about the next milestone or challenge.  Not so when I'm with my kids.  I did feel that when they were babies though to some extent.   I see pictures of Lily and how proud I am of how outgoing and independent she is.  I look at her class picture and I don't see cute as much as I see young pretty (yes, I said pretty even though it doesn't seem appropriate this day in age) girl busy learning and talking at such a rapid speed.  I see pictures of my parents in their apartment downstairs having a blast with the kids - my dream fulfilled on a daily basis - seeing my kids interact so happily and comfortably with Oma and Opa regularly.  

Ok, that 2nd paragraph helped. It's all good.  I may be a gimp and feeling old these days but it really is all good.  

Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island

Frozen Party

First dinner invite in my parent's apartment

Lolo surprise visit.

Wizard of Oz Halloween Theme

Lily's Kindergarten School Picture.