November

In November, the Scouts did a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to pay for scout camp and high adventure next summer.  They made the boys wait tables, babysit younger kids, and entertain us with skits.  Since adults made the food, it was actually pretty good. 
    

They did a Law Enforcement Night at Cub Scouts one evening.  Evan got there late, since he hadn't done his homework, but he still got to sit in a police car with the other boys.
    

We took advantage of a local school's photography fundraiser and had a professional take our pictures this year.  It was definitely fast, but the results were maybe a B-.  I still like the one of the kids on the blanket, despite Connor hiding behind Celeste a little.
    

Evan's baseball team finished out the fall ball season, and celebrated with group pictures!
     

I decided to post the following stuff to document the fact that I was struggling quite a lot with stress and anxiety around this time.  I've had some trouble with anxiety most of my life, but its usually manageable.  I think this school year, with me teaching Latin, doing piano, homeschooling the kids, and having a two-year-old, was a bit overwhelming.   
  

Trying to Schedule the Day

Second Form Lesson Planning

 

Last-minute Christmas Cantata Stuff

  

Quizzes

 

A "Thought Download" - It's basically venting on paper.

  

Do NOT schedule family vacations!  Ever!

 

Grumpy Mama

    
Aunt Helena gave us a pass to the Huntington Gardens a while back, so we took advantage of her generosity.
   

Corinne lost Cowy towards the end of the day, and after much praying and searching, we found her.

These kids are good buddies.

We went up to Utah for Thanksgiving this year, and stayed in St. George on the way.  The next morning Ryan took us to a Christmas Tree festival thingy that was pretty cute.
   

Hotel Chair Bed

Ryan decided that for our Christmas Tree this year, we should go up to Grandma's Saddle View property and cut our own.  I don't know if junipers are the most picturesque trees for that purpose, but the weather was great and we had a lot of fun being out in nature.
  

Frozen Spring

We took the kids to visit BYU (they were especially impressed with the Lunchables and sodas in the Twilight Zone.)  Connor spent some time playing classic Sega Genesis games in Grandma's basement, we got ready for (and then ate) Thanksgiving dinner, and just enjoyed everyone's company.  It was great.  
    

Starflight

On the day after Thanksgiving, Grandma, Ryan, Connor, Joyce, Steve, and I were able to go to the Manti Temple and do Chuck's temple work.  It was a very moving experience to see Ryan baptize Connor, and to be part of sealing my stepdad to his parents.  I also took this occasion to scatter our family's portion of Chuck's ashes.  
   

    
On the day we left for home, we got to attend Lincoln's 6th birthday party!  It was, truthfully, one of the best parties I've ever been to.  Kelli and Kyle are an inspiration to me on how to not stress out.
   

 
Silly November Stuff:
  

We really need to go to the park more often.

Halloween Candy Art

Yeah, probably not the safest crib tent.

November 30 is the best day for swimming!