November!

I cannot believe that December is nearly upon us. Here are a few November highlights:

November marked the inaugural performances of "The Girl's Band"--a neighborhood musical menagerie comprised of the five girls that live on Best Avenue. Performances are regularly held on our neighbor Annie's driveway or in the bed of my brother Newel's work pick-up truck (which has been parked at our house all this month while he's been vacationing in Florida). They've worked out some incredible choreography (which they write out in stick-figure glyphs) and some swank lyrics.

The Best Ave Girl's Band in action

Some post performance posing.

Can I just say again how much I love the colors in the fall. We spent ample time examining leaves this month, utilizing our digital microscope, studying the color change process, and generally drinking in the beauty.

Sophie and Hallee spent another Saturday this month at a Liberty Girl's Retreat, this time immersing themselves in a historical reenactment of the pilgrim colony. Their costumes are totally not accurate (read: serious lack of time and motivation on my part), but they had a great time. They especially enjoy getting items ready to bring to the trading post, where they can buy and sell their handicrafts.

Ready to go!

Hal

Sweet Soph

There was one day early this month when I really did not want to get out of bed. Nothing was particularly wrong, but with the diminishing daylight hours, it is hard to get out of bed and get going. When it's cold and dark outside, my instinct is to stay snuggled in my warm bed. Anyway, I was having difficulty exiting my bed and I was not looking forward to starting the day's work, which sometimes feels like a repetitive blur from one day to the next between "momming" and homeschooling. Anyway, as I lay there unmotivated, I had some November inspiration that made my whole month better, sweeter. I got up and posted this quote on the back of the front door:

 Then I made these hearts for each of us to "fill with gratitude" during the month:

 I also resolved to spend time each day during November writing a specific, deliberate note expressing gratitude to someone who had influenced me for good. It made my month so full. I feel truly blessed and I know that expressing gratitude does open the doors of heaven and those acts of expressing gratitude helped me feel God's love daily--all month long. President Monson was right!

This year we mixed things up for Thanksgiving and spent the holiday in Cedar City with my sister Kristen and her family. We had a blast! The kids loved being with their cousins and Lindy looked like she was in Disneyland, she was so happy! Between the two dogs (Marley and Fozzie) and the cousins and the new environs, she was totally entertained.

Hallee, Izzy, and Lindy

Hallee, Izzy, Lindy, Soph, and Tab, getting the party started

The girl's made this contraption out of a small wooden chair for Lindy. It's a space rocket, in case you couldn't tell. The girl's would put Loo in the seat, then hoist her into the air and fly her around the room. Fun had by all.

Zeke is still totally into any and all sports. He and Casey spent the afternoon on Thanksgiving playing football in the backyard in the sub-freezing temperatures. True dedication. Zeke was in heaven!

Casey and Zeke's backyard Turkey Bowl

We spent the morning on Thanksgiving cooking up a storm in Kristen's giant kitchen. The kids all helped. Sophie and Tabitha made an apple pie. Beatrix made a pumpkin pie. Zoe supervised the younger girls making some amazing rolls and everyone generally pitched in. I loved that morning--all of us working together to make our delicious, celebratory meal.

Sophie and Tabitha with their apple pie.

Zeke, loving on Marley

Hallee was in heaven with two dogs!!

This little girl adores animals and was laughing, hugging, petting, and loving on these guys constantly.

Dog pillow!

Last Friday, we convinced Kristen and Troy and their kids to join us for another epic visit to Meadow Hot Springs. It was cold but the water was warm, as always!

A light snow and sub-freezing temperatures did not stop us. The water was amazing, as always!

Lindy's second visit to the Meadow Hot Springs. She was down with it.

Sophie jumping in!

Hal at the springs.

I had to capture this moment. Casey has been working on the mantle for the fireplace. I've avoided talking about the fireplace for over a year, as this project's now spanned five long years, but an update is due. Last Saturday, he attempted (along with a couple of daring neighborhood kids) to install it, but alas, the bolts on the mantle didn't quite align with the holes in the angle iron. Someday. It was a solid effort, though.