tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88662455302411993852024-03-17T07:30:34.422-05:00Go, Go, Goers!"Siblings...like branches on a tree we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one."The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.comBlogger772125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-85045885117003579112024-03-17T07:30:00.001-05:002024-03-17T07:30:00.126-05:00Music Concerts Galore<p>It was another busy kid-centric week, this time focused on school things. On Monday night, we skipped swimming and taekwondo, so we could attend Ava's spring band concert. It's always neat to see how far the band has come since the previous trimester (when many of them are in marching band, and not in concert band.) There were two other bands that played during that section of the evening, and my favorite piece was played by Ava's bf's band...the band played the soundtrack (live) to an animated comic book. It was really neat and different than what we had seen before.</p><p>On Thursday night, we headed over to Red Pine for G's 4th grade music concert. He had been having a few G.I. issues during the week, so he was absent from school on Thursday, but felt well enough to go to the concert that evening (and he's been fine since.) After the concert, we made an unplanned stop at a local brewery and played bingo before heading home. We were all wondering what would happen if a kid won the final prize (a growler)...and of course, a five-year old did! (All good, his family was able to take it home.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXOSdQGsuSm7cO3zyk2jpm51Ad9Ft1cdq06TQvjwJzGrPksK70yRqDxGG4cyaPX3yFgBoVygYmu2EgHUK5ikGSjvgKug_d7cLQ4PcXUaODUplKUciPbkZNIzDpQ3UvtlW4fdw2e3Z5LscxLoO2FOMvIt6JJcQpR-HZU7TUumhqhsHeQ0FfT4CxHuxMINw/s1440/IMG_20240314_183506065_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXOSdQGsuSm7cO3zyk2jpm51Ad9Ft1cdq06TQvjwJzGrPksK70yRqDxGG4cyaPX3yFgBoVygYmu2EgHUK5ikGSjvgKug_d7cLQ4PcXUaODUplKUciPbkZNIzDpQ3UvtlW4fdw2e3Z5LscxLoO2FOMvIt6JJcQpR-HZU7TUumhqhsHeQ0FfT4CxHuxMINw/s320/IMG_20240314_183506065_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Early on Friday morning, Scott and I joined Ava at RHS to see her receive one of the March Irish Excellence Awards. Her bio teacher selected her and said the nicest things when she was explaining why Ava earned the award. So proud!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vDKDSbmiOLE-HQwRNDesahXV63SXuJeejXkB7Q_gSPoA_EN0JfHmJCbtbja0f_1XXNk9D6qfr_S3MMggq7Ms8FwNgRAdKOYpYsTUrbXU6Yg_cByBNMNTH1Mj60Rle_LIdvnmPIGDMPjiLJcMvFuPnxIQkp-kmtS7jZa5P8R1rnHycLllmR2dhNvGyGIH/s1676/IMG_20240315_064100620~2%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1676" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vDKDSbmiOLE-HQwRNDesahXV63SXuJeejXkB7Q_gSPoA_EN0JfHmJCbtbja0f_1XXNk9D6qfr_S3MMggq7Ms8FwNgRAdKOYpYsTUrbXU6Yg_cByBNMNTH1Mj60Rle_LIdvnmPIGDMPjiLJcMvFuPnxIQkp-kmtS7jZa5P8R1rnHycLllmR2dhNvGyGIH/s320/IMG_20240315_064100620~2%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaeiaiR1CPuz0mz2YqUOSyaSSUBKltLuxQB9Oz7qtAXHN2Ax1lhnWUFPTaOH7sK2KuiGzGaXhubQvagwzDuHrp9I2lGpsWQMdK_RqsbWYRbOtvYRkcxd3aqCKdFtMmy4sMnD8vZPpBgXtiM1bYZhobgLAIWQn2Q2qQr7maMqsQqDntaWB1sK2ILVa5rNq/s1440/IMG_20240315_072528779_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaeiaiR1CPuz0mz2YqUOSyaSSUBKltLuxQB9Oz7qtAXHN2Ax1lhnWUFPTaOH7sK2KuiGzGaXhubQvagwzDuHrp9I2lGpsWQMdK_RqsbWYRbOtvYRkcxd3aqCKdFtMmy4sMnD8vZPpBgXtiM1bYZhobgLAIWQn2Q2qQr7maMqsQqDntaWB1sK2ILVa5rNq/s320/IMG_20240315_072528779_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-kTQJTgovRVaX5eoF0nZ-1s8OoUTbCmmO4GKd3skWP50sHrL9wgnB-0hxBfRXhlVRWipWS0GoMU1iMX5HG0yBItg5NM1F4z0-J7dKbS5Jia1WNlnXzcCGoTncUbBukjmn6K2qTCO4X7XFB0oMZk8Lgafoy5zxcuJAApX01UI4tfRGuLrlkJvoZPv_nqD/s1440/IMG_20240315_072549673_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-kTQJTgovRVaX5eoF0nZ-1s8OoUTbCmmO4GKd3skWP50sHrL9wgnB-0hxBfRXhlVRWipWS0GoMU1iMX5HG0yBItg5NM1F4z0-J7dKbS5Jia1WNlnXzcCGoTncUbBukjmn6K2qTCO4X7XFB0oMZk8Lgafoy5zxcuJAApX01UI4tfRGuLrlkJvoZPv_nqD/s320/IMG_20240315_072549673_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Both Scott and I have been very busy at work lately, so when Friday night rolled around, we were happy to have dinner delivered, and settle in for a relaxing night at home. I'm pretty happy that we don't have any scheduled plans on the agenda for the weekend, as we all need to rest and catch up on things around the house. And, enjoy some corned beef and cabbage on Sunday, of course! 🍀</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-91292959611797186302024-03-10T07:30:00.001-05:002024-03-10T07:30:00.193-05:00Jazzy!<p>Let's see, what happened this past week? Ava earned the first stripe on the purple belt in Taekwondo, Ava had a really cool (and really long) jazz concert at the high school, Ava went out to dinner with friends on Friday night, Ava is going to a friend's 16th birthday party on Saturday night...it's clearly the Ava show around here! :) We are very glad that she's thriving and loving life...lots of friends, doing well in school, participating in activities, etc.</p><p style="text-align: center;">1st stripe on the purple belt!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_OVB4fYnrbMd0A3TKVEdOnyHQTKmgd67iCPU96_P5EGnFfmtQJPlzYx4TlRrMj0cI_8qWx6JkDbH3oO1r_is6rQxj4-YFeebOe1F5SjxAnOr4_pcdN-5QoA87eL_dKul9a6R_1yFkQWgJhsl5UKEeOBkFqxL5xWoHek3mbxXEfKB-qSxomb32Ayl81OE/s1440/IMG_20240304_193905526_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_OVB4fYnrbMd0A3TKVEdOnyHQTKmgd67iCPU96_P5EGnFfmtQJPlzYx4TlRrMj0cI_8qWx6JkDbH3oO1r_is6rQxj4-YFeebOe1F5SjxAnOr4_pcdN-5QoA87eL_dKul9a6R_1yFkQWgJhsl5UKEeOBkFqxL5xWoHek3mbxXEfKB-qSxomb32Ayl81OE/s320/IMG_20240304_193905526_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Playin' the bass</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWrw-9M0HOU-3BrrMkuVYc_sSyIJZ4i3XZCYXs8KynXmFG0Hs9S7rGY-NpKHyMEOnOuM94g4_ib34jbqCNvsWnzJbLu4PDTXjbiOjTasyL4UASzrc3G_H0McxbITaRSu7LUhOC0pkZqrcycYQMR19mrSNFeK-lYqi1A55XlBIsSjymha1VztumzA4Nphn/s1440/IMG_20240307_190641052%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWrw-9M0HOU-3BrrMkuVYc_sSyIJZ4i3XZCYXs8KynXmFG0Hs9S7rGY-NpKHyMEOnOuM94g4_ib34jbqCNvsWnzJbLu4PDTXjbiOjTasyL4UASzrc3G_H0McxbITaRSu7LUhOC0pkZqrcycYQMR19mrSNFeK-lYqi1A55XlBIsSjymha1VztumzA4Nphn/s320/IMG_20240307_190641052%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Probably the biggest thing for Ava this week was that her biology teacher nominated her for the RHS Irish Excellence Award for March. Each teacher only gets to choose one student per YEAR to nominate, and Ava was her choice! We are so excited to celebrate her this coming Friday!</p><p>G's week wasn't as fun, although they both were off of school on Friday, due to Trimester2 coming to an end. I picked up Shamrock shakes for them to celebrate the end of the tri, so that was yummy. G ended up going to a new friend's house on Friday afternoon for a few hours, and had a blast playing with all of his cool toys. He actually ended up throwing up on Friday night (not sure why) so we're taking it easy for the rest of the weekend.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This kid loves his LEGOs</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoBf8tezofB_8hDCNy0yR9kGXqUhKVAUINrgod1DEa-JG_LPnuatc1kpEL-yuPyz3RjpAoeREUP0w2R4ntMgaCQdTdbyRMnWl92v0o1w02VvQ2FrwUGBwZpM-i7XRaE-kwro39jHgh0D56fK4c5Vnk1z5C9M6U2HwHAjyeeeFsT82Blvzdr2moyPuXvke/s1440/IMG_20240303_075259281%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoBf8tezofB_8hDCNy0yR9kGXqUhKVAUINrgod1DEa-JG_LPnuatc1kpEL-yuPyz3RjpAoeREUP0w2R4ntMgaCQdTdbyRMnWl92v0o1w02VvQ2FrwUGBwZpM-i7XRaE-kwro39jHgh0D56fK4c5Vnk1z5C9M6U2HwHAjyeeeFsT82Blvzdr2moyPuXvke/s320/IMG_20240303_075259281%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I saw a few friends for dinner on Wednesday night, and then went to a local craft show on Saturday morning. Not nearly as exciting as Ava's week, but not as pukey as G's. So, I guess that's a win!</p><p>Scott was really busy working this week and weekend, so we're looking forward to a few hours of family time (minus Ava because she'll be at the birthday party) on Saturday night. And then...the week starts all over, as busy as can be! Next week we have Ava's band concert on Monday (so we're skipping swimming and TKD), and then G's 4th grade music program on Thursday. Lots of fun musical things to look forward to! </p><p>And, on that note (hahaha), G ended up choosing his instrument this week...we all thought it was going to be trumpet, but when he tried buzzing in the mouthpiece, he couldn't make any sound. So, they didn't try the French horn either, since it's an even smaller mouthpiece. Instead, he's carrying on the trombone line...4th generation in a row to play it! I am thrilled with his choice, and already have a trombone put on hold to rent, and are thinking about potential lessons once he's had a chance to start learning it in the fall. </p><p>Here's some random food pics from the week...this first one was of a "meat lovers" pizza that Scott picked up. He decided he needed to load it up!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvFM0wR9wU1fXrjZynf1pozuRibkxZhqem9_50oWNCJd7URinKxQ1Y-tSAf0tRowHoH_OHK0qKPVT-1ubMk4aMfuK-mAcwV8EMF8B87pkFD9jOwIPWtLePQ5Lsn-eKWmeHaJ_pJM7sB9_NDC4ZXNNLtL5npFArgWgvH0sKv08kQ5kQo5dqxH85Uw9F-D-/s1440/IMG_20240308_181811186%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvFM0wR9wU1fXrjZynf1pozuRibkxZhqem9_50oWNCJd7URinKxQ1Y-tSAf0tRowHoH_OHK0qKPVT-1ubMk4aMfuK-mAcwV8EMF8B87pkFD9jOwIPWtLePQ5Lsn-eKWmeHaJ_pJM7sB9_NDC4ZXNNLtL5npFArgWgvH0sKv08kQ5kQo5dqxH85Uw9F-D-/s320/IMG_20240308_181811186%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My toast and banana was smiling at me the other morning...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GEYGfs6n7xJdI6Hs8oBTk8bOXgV0dDE7ZFHWrFsWO5R7RyRenqFq5Ty7yIBVbXPLcBhvnwCi7ur5RlkSIn91aqMojUU3iniKJGAyQ8DMQLdvV8KBNgqgdkyG-_oFTkyQi6Re904Ea8uX6k2msVCmQKpfgNm5KItMnTIal10s_PMKvw3Iir5B3ZE4xob2/s1440/IMG_20240305_083421539%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GEYGfs6n7xJdI6Hs8oBTk8bOXgV0dDE7ZFHWrFsWO5R7RyRenqFq5Ty7yIBVbXPLcBhvnwCi7ur5RlkSIn91aqMojUU3iniKJGAyQ8DMQLdvV8KBNgqgdkyG-_oFTkyQi6Re904Ea8uX6k2msVCmQKpfgNm5KItMnTIal10s_PMKvw3Iir5B3ZE4xob2/s320/IMG_20240305_083421539%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Don't forget to SPRING ahead for Daylight Savings this weekend!</i></span></div>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-941084509429768862024-03-03T07:30:00.007-06:002024-03-03T07:30:00.351-06:00Takin' It Easy<p>Well, my flu quickly morphed into a sinus infection and a wheezy cough, so once again, I am very thankful for virtual doctor appointments, available 24/7 (my latest one was at 4am on Thursday.) I'm pleased to say that I'm taking the appropriate meds and am healing up nicely.</p><p>Being sick has made me take it a bit slow, and focus on getting stuff done around the house. I've been able to start doing online training for RHSMB fundraising (working at sporting events/shows), I cleaned up Scott's old laptop and recycled it, and last weekend, G and I checked out a new park, and then I came home and painted a watercolor pic!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwXKCiHIyVohMiuNRWtOqofbZjANkBO0wjKGci8mZRi8agHRaj2vtKdkG8ph4i8_kxSdodqE0GLz-XiKZTaSFWn7hSn2pJXtMa7VF9yks8qUb3rhhcn6aLsirPAkJ8qAKpXbD-gTaaeAsncoS8PFGUL5Zqwk5BD0hGndQH1a2Cd59yqgV3behD3dn-Vqa/s1440/IMG_20240226_072321184%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwXKCiHIyVohMiuNRWtOqofbZjANkBO0wjKGci8mZRi8agHRaj2vtKdkG8ph4i8_kxSdodqE0GLz-XiKZTaSFWn7hSn2pJXtMa7VF9yks8qUb3rhhcn6aLsirPAkJ8qAKpXbD-gTaaeAsncoS8PFGUL5Zqwk5BD0hGndQH1a2Cd59yqgV3behD3dn-Vqa/s320/IMG_20240226_072321184%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>The kids are back to being busy, of course. Swimming and taekwondo, a field trip for G to the Science Museum (he LOVED it), jazz rehearsal for A (followed up by dinner at her bf's house), and a few slow nights at home. Scott and I even celebrated Leap Day with getting our taxes done (boo! we had to pay in for the first time, but that led to some good discussions about how we can work on NOT doing that for next year...but also yay! because we always go out to dinner after our tax appointment.)</p><p style="text-align: center;">A finally got the purple belt! (She earned it a few weeks ago, but had to wait for the belt to come in.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOe6YiyGlo9VY4KwGnMC-gaNjv3TvCrIJQssetF8MorVhDSJ9WmwDN2erESllCrjeQgRPLBAvL7QHhmuIn5Ox8UMnGYjwNJ9FtbRy9eiHO4rvowlF7GEtvp3EzhmicuQbHikmbkmHlTjR-q-aeWSc7cfuJlA48NtKM9YR9EPYw4vfQJ3ZrTQZrrt1SX_k/s1440/IMG_20240226_194121571_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOe6YiyGlo9VY4KwGnMC-gaNjv3TvCrIJQssetF8MorVhDSJ9WmwDN2erESllCrjeQgRPLBAvL7QHhmuIn5Ox8UMnGYjwNJ9FtbRy9eiHO4rvowlF7GEtvp3EzhmicuQbHikmbkmHlTjR-q-aeWSc7cfuJlA48NtKM9YR9EPYw4vfQJ3ZrTQZrrt1SX_k/s320/IMG_20240226_194121571_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am really enjoying my new walking pad and flip down desk - easy to use while working!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIPkPubaoShBjEM2Pr-OsFIxHUecvqPpzig8hIgGF31_xdufTX-2W6pD61ybHcsND7MaaS4hR5f4pAvCbVxH-M_xkbBxHGUYM3yHLH6F-3MJhAp17wumD9ZtRshH7-Qss7B6KOYl9_2na3dW8WOCa0ffnmMpbR-iqOYn8vbWX95Am2yf-kwhspBmWLmaV/s1440/IMG_20240227_094004171_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIPkPubaoShBjEM2Pr-OsFIxHUecvqPpzig8hIgGF31_xdufTX-2W6pD61ybHcsND7MaaS4hR5f4pAvCbVxH-M_xkbBxHGUYM3yHLH6F-3MJhAp17wumD9ZtRshH7-Qss7B6KOYl9_2na3dW8WOCa0ffnmMpbR-iqOYn8vbWX95Am2yf-kwhspBmWLmaV/s320/IMG_20240227_094004171_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love this sweet girl!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-k0yoFnIjlicl6rGoSGKJ80BnNN6J4fN26KFjV6SKFb8T6vYvN7WJCAZ47YlFO1pzzu7igcRf14yL0lyXWEIef36uKLcMu8JuWKxNTUmDxFCs4NI-hvCrjlr_QPqTEvPKJS7Up82CRDdL6gKJu4FZ1lo9yKyqlgvPf0ZEnwyAmvp7E3R07E-E-Y6ScdB/s1919/IMG_20240302_082459%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1919" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-k0yoFnIjlicl6rGoSGKJ80BnNN6J4fN26KFjV6SKFb8T6vYvN7WJCAZ47YlFO1pzzu7igcRf14yL0lyXWEIef36uKLcMu8JuWKxNTUmDxFCs4NI-hvCrjlr_QPqTEvPKJS7Up82CRDdL6gKJu4FZ1lo9yKyqlgvPf0ZEnwyAmvp7E3R07E-E-Y6ScdB/s320/IMG_20240302_082459%20(Large).jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">G is surrounded by Minecraft sheep! The little pink sheep on his folder was his latest purchase...he had to buy it outside of a set, so he was excited to finally get it in the mail!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7YTuQPg2-_TtBbiRcbTdgwdQH5ejABTqn7zPoLkCT92_ZUcR3MMb8Tcs4CCpVECYTtS69yfPHR2azlZNbvvUPK-vHCXlDe0Oagk81oNexHFGCF1w2LmPN-_YywYEEjjWnOHd_cDv7qBaeefR7HMf8du3dP_soX4940-MyYyrAHXt6dZGf4nsur5qT7Oj/s1440/IMG_20240302_082427638_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7YTuQPg2-_TtBbiRcbTdgwdQH5ejABTqn7zPoLkCT92_ZUcR3MMb8Tcs4CCpVECYTtS69yfPHR2azlZNbvvUPK-vHCXlDe0Oagk81oNexHFGCF1w2LmPN-_YywYEEjjWnOHd_cDv7qBaeefR7HMf8du3dP_soX4940-MyYyrAHXt6dZGf4nsur5qT7Oj/s320/IMG_20240302_082427638_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Scott and I are planning on reveling in the Saturday afternoon sunshine at a cidery about an hour south of home. We're going to meet up with our friends and enjoy a few hours of adult time while the kids hold down the fort at home. Vitamin D is necessary to keep you healthy, right??</div>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-41561476759288838252024-02-25T07:30:00.001-06:002024-02-25T07:30:00.165-06:00Down with the Flu<p>I'm not sure what happened this past week. I picked up the flu, and was down for the count for all of Sunday last weekend, and the rest of the week just sorta limped by. I was able to reschedule/cancel a few fun evening events that I had planned, and happily stayed at home and kept my germs to myself.</p><p>The good news is that no one else in my family got sick. So strange how viruses work... I'm also really glad that virtual dr appointments are easier to come by. On Sunday afternoon, my mom asked if I was going to see a doctor, and get some meds. I hadn't even thought about it, but within 10 minutes, I had met with a nurse, and she had prescribed me some (generic) Tamiflu. Our pharmacy even fulfilled the prescription quickly so I was able to start taking it the same day. And here we are, seven days later, and I'm feeling like a new, healthier person. Glad that's over!</p><p>Ava had her first job interview this past week, and she got a job! She won't be able to start working until this summer (at 16), but I'm so happy that it's all lined up and ready to go. Ava will be working as a teacher's aide at the same daycare facility where G went. This will be a great introduction into childcare education, and will give her hands-on experience that she'll be able to apply for her career-focused classes she's hoping to get into next school year. SO proud of Ava!</p><p>G surprised us by bringing home a math assignment focusing on beginning algebra (from his math enrichment class.) He's only 10! It'll be interesting to watch his course-path over the next several years and see what kind of classes he ends up in. </p><p>Apparently it was a calm and quiet week...can't complain about that! Looking forward to a more active week coming up!</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-47082710324382342532024-02-18T07:30:00.001-06:002024-02-18T07:30:00.141-06:00Super Bowl 2024<p>We had fun snacking our way through the big game last Sunday. We pulled together all sorts of air fryer foods, Scott made wings, and we enjoyed a very casual meal over the course of a few hours. The game was on in the background, and we definitely paid more attention to the commercials. Ha!</p><p>G was really hoping the 49ers would win, so when I woke him up on Monday morning, I had to tell him that the regular game tied, they went into OT, and the 49ers were ahead until the last 3 seconds. Kinda ruined his Monday, BUT, we were glad to see that he was paying attention to something in the sports realm.</p><p>G loves to hide footballs around the house for the Super Bowl, and then we have to find them (like Easter eggs.) Ava found 5 of the 6, I found just 1, and Scott didn't find any. Ava's big prize was a check for $1billion! So she ate it. And then G told her it was a trick, and she owed him $1billion. Strange game we had going on!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ydns7fEZ_OLq9CEIsC5bUyhrQKh9JeMuVaRS3bimQkc8zjfFgP8aWGi0KCE4jk5DscLJRzpb1KMWEE7IEjkVbNngwJb_-8haunxOmPSl0G0ygbglOI44zF3xazw4cD0fO5EJbilCPsz8egLTVuHRBkacrdHbLeLYpDmxex568RXV93qkQhSsYHyNMt61/s1440/IMG_20240211_195043835_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ydns7fEZ_OLq9CEIsC5bUyhrQKh9JeMuVaRS3bimQkc8zjfFgP8aWGi0KCE4jk5DscLJRzpb1KMWEE7IEjkVbNngwJb_-8haunxOmPSl0G0ygbglOI44zF3xazw4cD0fO5EJbilCPsz8egLTVuHRBkacrdHbLeLYpDmxex568RXV93qkQhSsYHyNMt61/s320/IMG_20240211_195043835_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The RHS pep band has been playing at a lot of games for a variety of sports, and this week, they pepped up the crowd for girls hockey. And it worked - the girls hockey team won, and they're headed to state next week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the life of a band parent whose kid can't drive yet...it was a late, snowy night when I had to pick up Ava after pep band this week. Glad we don't live very far from the school!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSktDWTGJrLEUTzvzM9BbDcIHVz7GH2qhFR7etH7Vi7Ih47YVs5lh-ED2_9-SzxVnSeLuy6RuRKGWmZpfnB8j07KX3GC0VQT-7m1G5SH5YVSKy32cxrxyaRf5fZH1_1uk9xiTc7BMm78qlJ_cyax-GAc-mojRMaK4l3PfX4qYMYPZx5wANr7sHOIe30jKP/s1440/IMG_20240214_213659862_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSktDWTGJrLEUTzvzM9BbDcIHVz7GH2qhFR7etH7Vi7Ih47YVs5lh-ED2_9-SzxVnSeLuy6RuRKGWmZpfnB8j07KX3GC0VQT-7m1G5SH5YVSKy32cxrxyaRf5fZH1_1uk9xiTc7BMm78qlJ_cyax-GAc-mojRMaK4l3PfX4qYMYPZx5wANr7sHOIe30jKP/s320/IMG_20240214_213659862_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Both kids have a long weekend, so they're going to relax, and also have fun (Ava had a sleepover last night.) I'm dealing with the beginning stages of a cold, and Scott has to work. We celebrated Valentine's Day with a dinner out last weekend...thank goodness, because I'm not sure either of us would feel up to it this weekend!</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-53013913233725171622024-02-11T07:30:00.001-06:002024-02-11T07:30:00.203-06:00Culture Night<p>Ava's been busy the past few weeks prepping for a performance for Culture Night at RHS. Her Chinese teacher asked if she would participate with the Lion Dance, so she played the gong (fun!) It required several rehearsals, she met new people, and had fun at Culture Night this past Thursday. I saw a brief video of some of the performance, and heard about all of the wonderful that she had a chance to eat while she was there. She also volunteered on Wednesday after school at a local elementary school to help celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year (which is Feb 10, and it's the Year of the Dragon!) I'm so proud of her for joining the National Chinese Honor Society, and getting involved with events like these.</p><p>She also played pep band for a basketball game at RHS on Tuesday night, so it was a busy week full of extracurriculars for school.</p><p style="text-align: center;">The picture on the left and the one on the top right are Ava's (created for her Drawing class), both currently on display at RHS</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbUvgHny_M7l3qcuMbHMr0qDlZLT6idOrSfppqXgDCPxkUCIOb6QuTUJwbJ-l8SJ-8HLSiW9rgNCZbvMybSnJA3UfeR8AbNpuNN2OGgmRvmXS_8ypAuuhVcBPvLfOC6sbFGMLfhndrLQ_azMXN2JVZmIF12KUL7WWRhkdZBAl2giLuKuG-rbxeyKLuNAO/s1920/IMG_20240208_172952%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbUvgHny_M7l3qcuMbHMr0qDlZLT6idOrSfppqXgDCPxkUCIOb6QuTUJwbJ-l8SJ-8HLSiW9rgNCZbvMybSnJA3UfeR8AbNpuNN2OGgmRvmXS_8ypAuuhVcBPvLfOC6sbFGMLfhndrLQ_azMXN2JVZmIF12KUL7WWRhkdZBAl2giLuKuG-rbxeyKLuNAO/s320/IMG_20240208_172952%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>G tested for the next level for swimming (didn't quite make it) but they commented that they can see definite improvement with his strokes. He stayed positive and tried his best, so that's the right way to handle it. Way to go, G! We also had his final 4th grade conferences on Thursday after school, and he's doing fantastic, with no concerns from his teacher. He's reading at the highest level for anyone in his class, and is really enjoying his reading and math enrichment classes. This weekend we're going to start working on building his model for the Baltimore Shot Tower (part of his state club group in reading enrichment.) I have no idea how we're going to build it, but hopefully it'll be fun.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Random Minecraft situation here, courtesy of G: Steve slipped and landed on his head, and now everyone is staring at him</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHuQXXNSY59nfeeOtvn36BV6RFoDj3tmt-egDa9hXofCanaC5NBwScy93noyElbr549hSzjuHIvDhoNM_fY96iABpkoZv9h46LVjEjIqXyVXfZPyU_hpHVs6b1mMljRjATdN6LT3qexsEgginE6XreEYkXpU3smCag6hD3wSGlmyaMT7G2hBO2hzK_HLz/s1440/IMG_20240210_105722917_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHuQXXNSY59nfeeOtvn36BV6RFoDj3tmt-egDa9hXofCanaC5NBwScy93noyElbr549hSzjuHIvDhoNM_fY96iABpkoZv9h46LVjEjIqXyVXfZPyU_hpHVs6b1mMljRjATdN6LT3qexsEgginE6XreEYkXpU3smCag6hD3wSGlmyaMT7G2hBO2hzK_HLz/s320/IMG_20240210_105722917_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I took Friday off of work (and this coming Monday, too) so I could relax a bit. Work has been running at top speed lately, and I'm getting a little frazzled. I don't know when it'll slow down, but I hope it does soon. The kids didn't have school on Friday, so we went out for breakfast and ran a ton of errands together. It was a perfect way to end the week...relaxing, yet productive. On Monday, the kids will be in school, so I'll have a chance to get even more stuff done. </p><p>We also booked our flights (hotel will be booked today) for a girls trip to Savannah, GA, this coming June, and I booked the hotel for a trip to Indy this November to see the RHMB perform at Grand Nats. Lots of fun stuff coming up!</p><p>Scott and I are going out for an early Valentine's Day dinner on Saturday night. We're going to a new (to us) restaurant in Inver Grove...something casual (I think), and it has really good reviews. More to come on that next week. We're both really looking forward to an adult night out!</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-27537961907683866382024-02-04T07:30:00.001-06:002024-02-04T07:30:00.151-06:00So, See You in 8 Years...<p>I'm trying to make plans with two friends, and our schedules are so busy that we're almost being pushed out until the end of March. That's craziness! I can't imagine what I'm going to do with all of my free time when there aren't children at home, busy doing everything that they do.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This week at TKD, Ava earned her board-breaking stripe, which means she's moved up to the purple belt...way to go, kiddo!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1SoqfOFcgPls_aR_ZTneOg9on4B2geOqLykXlsKiZovtzY_NsPi-Mg01zZdRB02BuJkOEI27zFH30L1F9gYB54NobBCIpNxwCB8-9I-Er9qg43s6MdMQeFbu8fcNjmlQmkMG6BqAABszD44mgX_g-prW07eIu_iQpl9IcSZOmYPDXjIZcsUb8zZoeRZ1/s1440/IMG_20240129_194034169_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1SoqfOFcgPls_aR_ZTneOg9on4B2geOqLykXlsKiZovtzY_NsPi-Mg01zZdRB02BuJkOEI27zFH30L1F9gYB54NobBCIpNxwCB8-9I-Er9qg43s6MdMQeFbu8fcNjmlQmkMG6BqAABszD44mgX_g-prW07eIu_iQpl9IcSZOmYPDXjIZcsUb8zZoeRZ1/s320/IMG_20240129_194034169_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>The rest of the week was busy with school, work, after school activities, etc. G has been dealing with some insomnia, which the whole house is aware of, as it's happening...so Scott and I have been managing on less sleep than usual. Ugh.</p><p>On a positive note, we capped the week off with an impromptu happy hour with my parents at a local bar. I pre-ordered pizza to be delivered to the kids at home, so they were set for dinner, and we enjoyed a few hours out, with other adults. Overall, though, we had a low key week (in the evenings), which was needed. (We were all very, very busy during the days!)</p><p>Sometimes I think it would be nice to be a dog...just snoozing the days away. But then I think about the life that Pria had before us, and wouldn't wish that on any animal. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS39WXMQvXHflAyhhS5zJgy98EFgtTcq59347fjXkaZaxauso_6O2TUeDIZgGmTIPQA48YAG2pzRB2zznTQ7hNxTBfG6M9vOG0zwIrRIWB8jT4iFzJfUQ2vsYLtHYTN-LMcuIoIS8SI80EHOOvzjFNkT-Pw4a34EJOILKzI5pw44h8bGhDkXBspm1cbh9/s1440/IMG_20240128_134103057_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoS39WXMQvXHflAyhhS5zJgy98EFgtTcq59347fjXkaZaxauso_6O2TUeDIZgGmTIPQA48YAG2pzRB2zznTQ7hNxTBfG6M9vOG0zwIrRIWB8jT4iFzJfUQ2vsYLtHYTN-LMcuIoIS8SI80EHOOvzjFNkT-Pw4a34EJOILKzI5pw44h8bGhDkXBspm1cbh9/s320/IMG_20240128_134103057_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I took advantage of a few extra free hours on Saturday morning, and organized the cabinet below my sink in the bathroom. If that isn't adulting, I don't know what is! But...I do love it when it's all organized, and sorted out. Feels great to declutter!</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-27812754298038643532024-01-28T07:30:00.001-06:002024-01-28T07:30:00.329-06:00Jazz and Desserts<p>RHS hosted a cool Jazz and Desserts concert on Monday night. It was very casual, taking place in the Student Center. Each of the 5 (6?) jazz bands performed three-ish songs, while we all browsed the multitude of desserts that were available. It was a really neat, casual format, where we could chat with the people around us, and still be able to enjoy the smooth sounds of jazz in the background. I ended up sitting with the family that we carpooled with for marching band over the last few years. It was nice having a chance to catch up!</p><p>I wasn't able to see Ava perform (she was tucked behind a pillar that I couldn't see around from my seat), but Jazz Blue (the band she is in) sounded good, and it was great seeing so many band parents again, since we've had a bit of a break since marching band season ended a few months back. I'm already looking forward to this event again next year!</p><p>There was also pep band, swimming, taekwondo, more jazz rehearsals, dentist, ortho, high school conferences, etc etc etc to squeeze into the last five days. It was busy! Both kids have great teeth, no cavities, and Ava got her retainers on Friday morning. They're fun...pink, glittery, and swirled with glow-in-the-dark patterns. Way more exciting than the one that I had in high school! </p><p>I went to Ava's high school conferences on Friday morning, and all of her teachers were so complimentary. They mentioned how smart she is, focused, participates, (the art teacher said she was very talented!), and they all love the little drawings she does on the paper assignments that she turns in. We are so proud of the young adult that Ava is becoming, and can't wait to see what the next stages in life will bring!</p><p>I'm just one week away from a full transition off of my old job, and boy, this past week was a doozy! We've got some changes coming up, so we've been needed to be nimble at managing the upcoming work, and keeping the teams operating smoothly. I'm looking forward to being able to focus on my "new" job 100%, instead of having to split my time between two different ones. I'm also looking forward to (hopefully) taking a break from nighttime deployments.</p><p>Scott had a rough week at work, where nothing quite went right. Even this morning, as he was working on his side jobs, he told me he got fired (he's self-employed, so he fired himself, lol), so I'm hoping that the rest of the day went smoothly, and he can take a day to relax on Sunday.</p><p>To add on to the gloominess, the weather we're having is weird. It feels like March, not January. We've barely gotten any snow this winter, and while I don't mind the better driving conditions, I'm a bit sad that we haven't had enough to make a snowman, or a snowball, or anything worthwhile fun. I'm sure this comment will come back to bite me at some point, but for now, we're all wondering...where has winter gone?</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-11223538549202053252024-01-21T07:30:00.001-06:002024-01-21T07:30:00.170-06:00A Peaceful Drive<p>Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be a kid now vs when Scott and I grew up. Not a month goes by where the kids don't have at least one day off of school, and it's usually more. This past week, the kids didn't have school on Monday (I didn't work either, hooray!) and they were both off on Friday. Only three days of school (or work) per week sounds pretty good to me!</p><p>Monday was an exciting day, though...Ava is officially done with her braces (aligners) and will be getting her retainers next Friday. Woohoo! What was supposed to be an 18-month process ended up taking 30 months instead, so we are all very happy that she's finally done with her aligners. Her retainers are going to be pink and glow-in-the-dark swirls...fun!</p><p>The kids and I ran a bunch of errands on Monday, and went out to lunch, and by the time the evening rolled around, we were all pretty tired. I made the executive decision to skip both swimming and taekwondo. And we were all happy about that. :)</p><p>Ava also had two jazz band rehearsals, and a National Chinese Honor Society meeting to round out her evenings. G had...school. LOL, thank goodness he doesn't have a million activities to do every day!</p><p>We made it through the really frigid temps last week, and are looking forward to slightly warmer weather this coming week. Even though this time of year is really cold, it can produce some of the prettiest drives. I captured this on the way home from taking G to school one morning this week. I drive on a dirt road for part of the way home (no cows by it this time of year) and it's a simple way to appreciate the beauty of the day before I get back home and dive into the very busy work day. Gotta take advantage of life's moments when you can!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3vPMQLyRjQ01uiRW8VyZ4xscANI2K_IV3lzif1JdL0Oz-erN7ySjjh5LvZ-FmfiuXaex73WpGlsWQdlURI31Y5-k2FEN6kuCW9LaSQDlkhrVsKF3lrJCk9RtlUNEljjTGUIOsl6WUXeLablGo2r77Gh0XewfqUpiHUxqCTLv0PmZ4A8jm96ZdP3x0euQ/s1125/IMG_20240118_075958397_HDR~2%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1125" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3vPMQLyRjQ01uiRW8VyZ4xscANI2K_IV3lzif1JdL0Oz-erN7ySjjh5LvZ-FmfiuXaex73WpGlsWQdlURI31Y5-k2FEN6kuCW9LaSQDlkhrVsKF3lrJCk9RtlUNEljjTGUIOsl6WUXeLablGo2r77Gh0XewfqUpiHUxqCTLv0PmZ4A8jm96ZdP3x0euQ/s320/IMG_20240118_075958397_HDR~2%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-6285734788069631042024-01-14T07:30:00.001-06:002024-01-14T07:30:00.219-06:00SNOW!<p>It finally snowed! And now it's chilly. Why were we feeling a little sad that it didn't feel like winter yet??</p><p>One good thing about this weather is that it came during the week where Ava was doing her six hours worth of driving with a district instructor. She managed to get in 4 hours in the evening, on decent roads, and then on Saturday morning, she was able to get in around 2 hours on snowy roads. The instructor took her out into a parking lot to get her comfortable with driving while the roads are unpredictable. I'm really glad that she was able to get that professional instruction under her belt. She seems to be making great progress every time she goes out driving...it's awesome!</p><p>Ava informed us that next year she'll probably do a Zero Hour gym class (before school starts each day) to get it out of the way, and allow her to take the child development classes she wants (since Zero Hour will free up one of her hours during the day.) She'll need her license and a car for both the Zero Hour, and child development activities, along with marching band this summer, and planning on working. Whew! There's a lot to plan for in the next six months!</p><p>We enjoyed the 1st concert of the year at RHS...Ava's band played great! In addition, the next day G was back at RHS for the performance that takes place every year for 4th graders. The Wind Ensemble gives a performance to introduce the kids to the instruments, and then show them how much fun music is. I'm proud to say that G is thinking of staying within the brass family...either trumpet, trombone, or French horn (mostly because it's a left-handed instrument, and...he's a lefty.) It'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out.</p><p style="text-align: center;">In the meantime, he's been having fun building a helicopter out of his new K'NEX. So cool!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZfcHogMYx_G9c5MhROsDyUacQ_8f-TJf9-9ItBxj39tUwEE4VjpG8joyGoKS5cURHX_3VyvvXJ0ylK2nJ9CEMk3uB4kJpwikgLlCdid1_mtx7sq2ij5ZPu8TXCYEg6G6qJj4V2s-bTebqYXxdqhL3yLQFrptu2MXRbpOgQAHt5FfZNlQDcTehm-oZFcz/s3170/IMG_20240113_123036320_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3170" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZfcHogMYx_G9c5MhROsDyUacQ_8f-TJf9-9ItBxj39tUwEE4VjpG8joyGoKS5cURHX_3VyvvXJ0ylK2nJ9CEMk3uB4kJpwikgLlCdid1_mtx7sq2ij5ZPu8TXCYEg6G6qJj4V2s-bTebqYXxdqhL3yLQFrptu2MXRbpOgQAHt5FfZNlQDcTehm-oZFcz/s320/IMG_20240113_123036320_HDR.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVBS09g42qxu5ZrdH1rLjPLUrGJTP9_Gg4YNbnSjqFleJaeASUbZQQXni0NimmMiCu7LZ_WW9a9hIvLkqQEoLpEfou1u_tKMpR-D4vn6SuxWXH3Wuk1CK-pdelvw7uhOxOHaTMny407BwFRvLGe8YFwuG9QCTWxXEoP7UTRg_45vops9yhkA6LBi2kynw/s4096/IMG_20240113_123050080_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVBS09g42qxu5ZrdH1rLjPLUrGJTP9_Gg4YNbnSjqFleJaeASUbZQQXni0NimmMiCu7LZ_WW9a9hIvLkqQEoLpEfou1u_tKMpR-D4vn6SuxWXH3Wuk1CK-pdelvw7uhOxOHaTMny407BwFRvLGe8YFwuG9QCTWxXEoP7UTRg_45vops9yhkA6LBi2kynw/s320/IMG_20240113_123050080_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Now...it's time to get cozy and warm, and enjoy the snow fall!The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-52352742068735445162024-01-07T07:30:00.001-06:002024-01-07T07:30:00.147-06:00Merry Christmas and Welcome 2024!<p>We had a wonderful holiday season, spent with family and friends, eating, drinking, relaxing, being productive...basically, ALL the things! The kids and I thoroughly enjoyed our week off of work/school. I tackled my to-do list, and plowed through a bunch of it, while both kids had the chance to see friends (and also help me around the house.) Scott had to work, but we all enjoyed evenings at home together.</p><p>On Christmas Eve, we said goodbye to George for this Christmas season...he let us know that "I'm a barbell lifting pro!" Hopefully those muscles will help him get safely to the North Pole with Santa!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsotNOOV7wB35OCgReu-JkjN1DHAN7pDUrVuxeBXaNV4uENMCU64Lvg7BQ1etC7cfk9n58fsfYpvgELQUUL0Feb31jfA6qMKzze7pGBZG0KqM4qv-aPWq8NUWZd_zF7Btqb_U6trmSVguoQRBQA7xMHz06VFRpJCzMdtrITvUat2eCzcp7-DSFWfZ73cH/s1440/IMG_20231223_214537957%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsotNOOV7wB35OCgReu-JkjN1DHAN7pDUrVuxeBXaNV4uENMCU64Lvg7BQ1etC7cfk9n58fsfYpvgELQUUL0Feb31jfA6qMKzze7pGBZG0KqM4qv-aPWq8NUWZd_zF7Btqb_U6trmSVguoQRBQA7xMHz06VFRpJCzMdtrITvUat2eCzcp7-DSFWfZ73cH/s320/IMG_20231223_214537957%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We spent Christmas Eve and my parent's house, and Deb joined us, as well! It was great being with all of the grandparents, and getting to spend that time together as an extended family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last Santa sugar cookie...we might be at the end of an era :(</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mh-GUYw6oVxM6QJs1aodI9ZSE0rxlEjV4Kzh4VamyH55IuIbu1wxV0Qrv2lx4Pfby1iovE0ANCTHQ237U1bWduKq5BVE9Lrgr-JGZ3j8DYRHDZcZaMBE0lTGs6OeeS9QLAxPrS_xjE32DuAh-KR5Jz2yXx8efOmjlKorfpkEXXSs_uhR5zTyDE7aqBoQ/s1440/IMG_20231224_183609504%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mh-GUYw6oVxM6QJs1aodI9ZSE0rxlEjV4Kzh4VamyH55IuIbu1wxV0Qrv2lx4Pfby1iovE0ANCTHQ237U1bWduKq5BVE9Lrgr-JGZ3j8DYRHDZcZaMBE0lTGs6OeeS9QLAxPrS_xjE32DuAh-KR5Jz2yXx8efOmjlKorfpkEXXSs_uhR5zTyDE7aqBoQ/s320/IMG_20231224_183609504%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After we got home, G and I opened our traditional matching Christmas jammies</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSI1IxosiRuHbcwNFfl6ih3bNQ9RNUy_IPs42eBvLHtgBmV1-BWOm7vt2D3nlmKmQG4T2otfPvw7Ul6Le0FnqXktkC3EuyoK9-S3-7quklGmE0KXDvRAe6c5U6Hd0NfZMSmJ8qa_r9CUd3jSB4XCG2EGR4Gw_W7DieyTsQFdNmC9vbI5IKJBFji-O0kvsK/s1440/IMG_20231224_202059966_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSI1IxosiRuHbcwNFfl6ih3bNQ9RNUy_IPs42eBvLHtgBmV1-BWOm7vt2D3nlmKmQG4T2otfPvw7Ul6Le0FnqXktkC3EuyoK9-S3-7quklGmE0KXDvRAe6c5U6Hd0NfZMSmJ8qa_r9CUd3jSB4XCG2EGR4Gw_W7DieyTsQFdNmC9vbI5IKJBFji-O0kvsK/s320/IMG_20231224_202059966_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We read "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," and got the treats ready for Santa and the reindeers!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxu2eA2KvEJQ162WAr1aH3PhFBuwme3nXN1Gp3Osm1oeXUTVvs5FwC884yN2Our03e4ScHwsTxON2ggxDfi9OepUv1ctqgtgZQhDr1LGfidPgoCma4jZENbaNzUJt8_0zgpMVOEKq3cBp14hrEBRUFUg_jSag4w0-yDzV8F27XztwX773qrYJ7ujedQU8t/s1440/IMG_20231224_203451514%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxu2eA2KvEJQ162WAr1aH3PhFBuwme3nXN1Gp3Osm1oeXUTVvs5FwC884yN2Our03e4ScHwsTxON2ggxDfi9OepUv1ctqgtgZQhDr1LGfidPgoCma4jZENbaNzUJt8_0zgpMVOEKq3cBp14hrEBRUFUg_jSag4w0-yDzV8F27XztwX773qrYJ7ujedQU8t/s320/IMG_20231224_203451514%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">G wanted it to be very clear that the orange was for the reindeer, not Santa :)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEcp3jwVdtJ56ze0ESXsb9aphAU1RprkZxA1774fxL_F7HO5764exmF73jmPlDcz0ld4hy-E2Yx3TOKuqhLeYT6Dv2T-GNqLeEPneRipeq-yBlUrsabAcIOMVsz2c00I_fioIqyUFWFZPtN0Ay4ts9mh9XMrO5yA9u1T5vJ8ZZX5hyphenhyphenZMO9lhhuzacss6M/s1440/IMG_20231224_203456681%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWEcp3jwVdtJ56ze0ESXsb9aphAU1RprkZxA1774fxL_F7HO5764exmF73jmPlDcz0ld4hy-E2Yx3TOKuqhLeYT6Dv2T-GNqLeEPneRipeq-yBlUrsabAcIOMVsz2c00I_fioIqyUFWFZPtN0Ay4ts9mh9XMrO5yA9u1T5vJ8ZZX5hyphenhyphenZMO9lhhuzacss6M/s320/IMG_20231224_203456681%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On Christmas morning we waited very patiently for Scott to get up...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXNDonLLi1l9kXNhZjLhuYgEKQbIywb2DZcMgNlXKKfqDpaMgaF9qsRQDA_rIpTr_TapQ5O6225mgjqYktmLbkGyVD5-_rlc8GgIhmrDez11C4vtWXchk-iTOP2RWPYYsi6s8Uf0NgU6UuC-kYZXggb01GWPGLDmua0R7v14CbQjT7yF8XbMBvba1G-nE/s1440/IMG_20231225_080445208%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXNDonLLi1l9kXNhZjLhuYgEKQbIywb2DZcMgNlXKKfqDpaMgaF9qsRQDA_rIpTr_TapQ5O6225mgjqYktmLbkGyVD5-_rlc8GgIhmrDez11C4vtWXchk-iTOP2RWPYYsi6s8Uf0NgU6UuC-kYZXggb01GWPGLDmua0R7v14CbQjT7yF8XbMBvba1G-nE/s320/IMG_20231225_080445208%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then we opened up the stockings!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWi7fsfGSal41Oq1T3Ww3GWQRDx60dt8U6zkpaKVC24KsZX3UHRPDN0AvzBRPCnBSNKhNj6TeDrFHs8atg9V375Bh_hYnJJucjSz5xeE0ZbIjRUGvs3n5j6xWvqccNme3IZsGADH_5bKIYsqmC2s4p7nmMXm4e8RJeWY3ui32NpdkLRyJXrzfAWdDTH8RS/s1440/IMG_20231225_080758734%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWi7fsfGSal41Oq1T3Ww3GWQRDx60dt8U6zkpaKVC24KsZX3UHRPDN0AvzBRPCnBSNKhNj6TeDrFHs8atg9V375Bh_hYnJJucjSz5xeE0ZbIjRUGvs3n5j6xWvqccNme3IZsGADH_5bKIYsqmC2s4p7nmMXm4e8RJeWY3ui32NpdkLRyJXrzfAWdDTH8RS/s320/IMG_20231225_080758734%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvw7DfNOLpluXTkQtbh2hj6hYMxqYVsmSdByy7owfYgB6_sfsLVX-oCmqUX8vH40nkdDOFVhgeGTLwQZICNejXE7fXUmF0OKLDK66Kv6Oakd-R7ylnW8Kw_eD1mA0yuV5YSZFnee1ukPHId8bSscAR3ucgvcfHdK_K4yMOQb5cl2lIFJjEgjeZm8KobkF/s1440/IMG_20231225_081218701%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvw7DfNOLpluXTkQtbh2hj6hYMxqYVsmSdByy7owfYgB6_sfsLVX-oCmqUX8vH40nkdDOFVhgeGTLwQZICNejXE7fXUmF0OKLDK66Kv6Oakd-R7ylnW8Kw_eD1mA0yuV5YSZFnee1ukPHId8bSscAR3ucgvcfHdK_K4yMOQb5cl2lIFJjEgjeZm8KobkF/s320/IMG_20231225_081218701%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdzNBawfR0s3v1hwp3tO2DweU0wDoINT_DPI26BbvUJzkpkJ4OJmWyu7PfeWwtbptgeL7hLsLxgt_XkhNAFZL8Wywrq7jk4-mNy4zaXtpxatA67C2tacRk5Bsk9EpkEg_fEX6K2R7IkjKDU8HZ8qrTYrGtyGxPr3nC8UC69yAUyqSIwm_iXR6rclqf-hX/s1440/IMG_20231225_081624683%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdzNBawfR0s3v1hwp3tO2DweU0wDoINT_DPI26BbvUJzkpkJ4OJmWyu7PfeWwtbptgeL7hLsLxgt_XkhNAFZL8Wywrq7jk4-mNy4zaXtpxatA67C2tacRk5Bsk9EpkEg_fEX6K2R7IkjKDU8HZ8qrTYrGtyGxPr3nC8UC69yAUyqSIwm_iXR6rclqf-hX/s320/IMG_20231225_081624683%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFzmLafKzx-p3pYRzzmejLO1-xMFlnlDFKOQW8dxoLB_758XIdSlI6UOTkdCBdwRajSGbuTT4kKe4nfwfwEvksyCYoPATpXzZiLWxV4gpBTabJY3wbibhhzUJWi3HMn224znjM86wCS9-dVQoREaxw8iHJ5cbAant9QElBL04jHDf5HGQx4EdmNEoKQqG/s1440/IMG_20231225_081935503%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFzmLafKzx-p3pYRzzmejLO1-xMFlnlDFKOQW8dxoLB_758XIdSlI6UOTkdCBdwRajSGbuTT4kKe4nfwfwEvksyCYoPATpXzZiLWxV4gpBTabJY3wbibhhzUJWi3HMn224znjM86wCS9-dVQoREaxw8iHJ5cbAant9QElBL04jHDf5HGQx4EdmNEoKQqG/s320/IMG_20231225_081935503%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Butterfly + Todd + Turvy the Gnome = LOVE</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OVYNnvhYv3y7-rg9uXpjY7aEK5bL1JL7nRzvZ0ZdIjoTM4PkVkzbaF7PI9kk_tzdzYwHxPOdshnGpzz1uVF5-nVJWSe8lkgbYTczcfPEJe1s38_gKAHGQbFlG7J5b7t6-4qfqg9dUyeZGFPahFMq6700KjX0rqgfRuPLDrRfUjSEdiTrZlgXvufK7a1U/s1440/IMG_20231225_084935346%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OVYNnvhYv3y7-rg9uXpjY7aEK5bL1JL7nRzvZ0ZdIjoTM4PkVkzbaF7PI9kk_tzdzYwHxPOdshnGpzz1uVF5-nVJWSe8lkgbYTczcfPEJe1s38_gKAHGQbFlG7J5b7t6-4qfqg9dUyeZGFPahFMq6700KjX0rqgfRuPLDrRfUjSEdiTrZlgXvufK7a1U/s320/IMG_20231225_084935346%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shark sheets...time to redecorate the bedroom!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtw_cVpSoncdhMcHlOj4QHuHrNWmXcmH5_AYzyWakJNHQgzlcEZmpuwF-NOOQkgIUfTCTeteYpT3J1Fopw0uiTL-u039GzGj4cxLUtfW1tYPuI5V4FBjrSs8Syx1g40RpMm8dcXV_64wBxISWU88QhlukxL2DAHuCFXku__qLuxQIy_3CBFwVgdIzOLzq/s1440/IMG_20231225_095834120%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtw_cVpSoncdhMcHlOj4QHuHrNWmXcmH5_AYzyWakJNHQgzlcEZmpuwF-NOOQkgIUfTCTeteYpT3J1Fopw0uiTL-u039GzGj4cxLUtfW1tYPuI5V4FBjrSs8Syx1g40RpMm8dcXV_64wBxISWU88QhlukxL2DAHuCFXku__qLuxQIy_3CBFwVgdIzOLzq/s320/IMG_20231225_095834120%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">G loves his tabletop arcade!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bYs4QUuwuotsh61Pn1T12JQTpdGXZe_6R-M0UARmQgdGV64R8GMgmS6o7oBPiuPi8dIwE0-6hR3GfRgd5TmlsFdFFcrgze_p2uBjnNY5dZl6O2H8IFXUW6sab9CxIDTonNrh2DaMOZAvTa4DhCbej4OF51857Wdi_fGyV58POzLD4PeOd2Gmo1aLa0cS/s1440/IMG_20231225_101124887_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bYs4QUuwuotsh61Pn1T12JQTpdGXZe_6R-M0UARmQgdGV64R8GMgmS6o7oBPiuPi8dIwE0-6hR3GfRgd5TmlsFdFFcrgze_p2uBjnNY5dZl6O2H8IFXUW6sab9CxIDTonNrh2DaMOZAvTa4DhCbej4OF51857Wdi_fGyV58POzLD4PeOd2Gmo1aLa0cS/s320/IMG_20231225_101124887_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ava looked so nice when she was heading out to see a movie with a friend</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Rt4JHBedZQaU4acLVWHlnnqkUVuFYxGAzEyhvWPnQCqW22SVMDvQppdsHN3f9I7uzxKKeV9k6e2ZOEm9PedWA7Rp5_l-J6isLeB9hj3sREQgGwiQGFVlqMGcB5jmO-Z3-uWvGA2Vix_xqG4vbPa4wLKM-wyZ6VgsaOXCUbAzuWh1_u8v1l0o5tMb_X9I/s1440/IMG_20231226_162714903_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Rt4JHBedZQaU4acLVWHlnnqkUVuFYxGAzEyhvWPnQCqW22SVMDvQppdsHN3f9I7uzxKKeV9k6e2ZOEm9PedWA7Rp5_l-J6isLeB9hj3sREQgGwiQGFVlqMGcB5jmO-Z3-uWvGA2Vix_xqG4vbPa4wLKM-wyZ6VgsaOXCUbAzuWh1_u8v1l0o5tMb_X9I/s320/IMG_20231226_162714903_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our handsome lil guy with a fresh haircut</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JVgAWLDI2ReGaIXQ4QYs2P_ziqtJry6eOM7Ddt3b4xWdpG5TbPQrLSFQLLHWYSRB7Oje_uMF5iH1PlTQOP2d5FtsnxG4kK9PbpyjAmpOWd2MlbiiEkY4eGctDcGXhC5hwwtQDEjojn8Q4uDK3y2wtGtNIYKVAZpxVIkhyphenhyphen5VtBv2UdesWm2HOKEBfkRz5/s1440/IMG_20231226_212126981_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JVgAWLDI2ReGaIXQ4QYs2P_ziqtJry6eOM7Ddt3b4xWdpG5TbPQrLSFQLLHWYSRB7Oje_uMF5iH1PlTQOP2d5FtsnxG4kK9PbpyjAmpOWd2MlbiiEkY4eGctDcGXhC5hwwtQDEjojn8Q4uDK3y2wtGtNIYKVAZpxVIkhyphenhyphen5VtBv2UdesWm2HOKEBfkRz5/s320/IMG_20231226_212126981_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">G built the Eiffel Tower out of K-NEX!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UxKkJW8G2XCwRkXRslMyG-AtYWqttzALY1XBdrhPb-JGMHsWpF45N-HXn41OAx6-ABUQ33LDZi1QCtBvWfU7h0b3xx3MlIBAfiwqj6cSu8KuJA02A49PCHiDoqlNYWjCwZpeGfpqzOGkTUCfHFRa9lI0QVwzUTUyuMmQFjAINewmFY7nckPbgUGI_BSU/s1440/IMG_20231227_114821244_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UxKkJW8G2XCwRkXRslMyG-AtYWqttzALY1XBdrhPb-JGMHsWpF45N-HXn41OAx6-ABUQ33LDZi1QCtBvWfU7h0b3xx3MlIBAfiwqj6cSu8KuJA02A49PCHiDoqlNYWjCwZpeGfpqzOGkTUCfHFRa9lI0QVwzUTUyuMmQFjAINewmFY7nckPbgUGI_BSU/s320/IMG_20231227_114821244_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me, G, and Among Us</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKwod5m__icmQq_Kt2K2qRVrIQkwh0nkbnov8dLefRdfc8HVtWBWFAN_yRP2MIW4MQc6ZujAMri1smyuMqNqUc9slPDcM01yVcAVu5QOBHb1oXLIGGskOSQcYrhJR7c89OhRqGLiqBtFgivvlRGrcdyk9yPkbjp_YyiPf5Q-yg3wTf8TQZG-3YxL5M17M/s1440/IMG_20231229_081352070%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKwod5m__icmQq_Kt2K2qRVrIQkwh0nkbnov8dLefRdfc8HVtWBWFAN_yRP2MIW4MQc6ZujAMri1smyuMqNqUc9slPDcM01yVcAVu5QOBHb1oXLIGGskOSQcYrhJR7c89OhRqGLiqBtFgivvlRGrcdyk9yPkbjp_YyiPf5Q-yg3wTf8TQZG-3YxL5M17M/s320/IMG_20231229_081352070%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pria basking in the warm, winter sun</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CbBZCWvQsUJSqzBx9Yexh_REJGGiFdTnMcLiT4Jb_yZAEf-_WielkQMXjSdVTbF3NOUnIfg3u8-fDNmKbMyiGdtfuoBz1nrhKGdNi86GWMvC7eBszj8qMimCsAqxXAGf_qj7F4nhoTZbiABuMDorEnl-UdR0XCO7OVv1lSr8es3HvU_bASg-ibQiywtA/s1537/IMG_20231229_134017495_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1537" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CbBZCWvQsUJSqzBx9Yexh_REJGGiFdTnMcLiT4Jb_yZAEf-_WielkQMXjSdVTbF3NOUnIfg3u8-fDNmKbMyiGdtfuoBz1nrhKGdNi86GWMvC7eBszj8qMimCsAqxXAGf_qj7F4nhoTZbiABuMDorEnl-UdR0XCO7OVv1lSr8es3HvU_bASg-ibQiywtA/s320/IMG_20231229_134017495_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Such a peaceful time of year</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBXK5HwrzyAFlyC2gy0_J44pxi07GVcMyFrILybGyJWEJTlv1l8jkqq-EXKKbQMLOl4cr23DLok1quTo9Tnryav4oLSTXqeabtF8soStAhbC1edP71awP6z7nML98WMIwQi1H7kE-8whOXhuqIJAW_d_gocIktyva4XqzCv-fmiKUWTFQD1737028-EB_/s1339/IMG_20240101_164952241_MF_PORTRAIT%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBXK5HwrzyAFlyC2gy0_J44pxi07GVcMyFrILybGyJWEJTlv1l8jkqq-EXKKbQMLOl4cr23DLok1quTo9Tnryav4oLSTXqeabtF8soStAhbC1edP71awP6z7nML98WMIwQi1H7kE-8whOXhuqIJAW_d_gocIktyva4XqzCv-fmiKUWTFQD1737028-EB_/s320/IMG_20240101_164952241_MF_PORTRAIT%20(Large).jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br /><p>We headed out of town to our friends in southern Minnesota, and rung in 2024 with great cheer! We've been celebrating with them for decades, and it's such a special time for us to get together.</p><p>The re-entry to school and work was a little rough this week, but with the start of the new year, we're looking forward to routines, and decluttering. Organizing was a HUGE part of my time-off, and we have so much that we're going to donate. I finally took down all of the Christmas décor this weekend (I like to wait until the 12 Days of Christmas are done, aka Three Kings Day.) While the house looks a little bare, I'm also really excited for the open spaces and clear surface areas.</p><p>Looking forward to a fresh start, and a fantastic new year!</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-7162171588193402002023-12-24T07:30:00.006-06:002023-12-24T07:30:00.198-06:00Last Week of School & Work 2023!<p>We just wrapped up the final school and work (for Dee) week of 2023! The kids both had spirit week/dress up days this past week, and there were fun parties for G, and a holiday assembly for Ava. Kirk Cousins (Vikings QB) was the surprise guest speaker at RHS this week. Ava doesn't really follow football, so when she texted me a few pics during the assembly, she said "The one guy is here. Football" Hahahaha! She mentioned she heard a rumor that SpongeBob was going to be there, but alas, just a pro football player. What a neat surprise for the kids (except for Ava, lol)</p><p>I had a few fun events this past week, as well. We had a happy hour/celebration for a completed project at work on Tuesday night, and then my neighbors/book club headed out to the local winery for a cookie decorating event on Thursday evening. I'm happy we don't have a full calendar next week!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOxAC92sAO6fdn3zAM8RbMDm8fmcxfHrxM7k3gXf8N6TmjISEPaxRs0plufPxxAKP_FcFxxHlXiOlHS46oj4nxyoEXSvyx825sWppC-7QXEikDTyIM2icQ6vKzf_ogxjnjQ3pSavrwzS7sWu_579uZeTscSfW1uxLC59Law67H-UYVLf7pjaAmNp8K76X/s1440/IMG_20231221_195648354%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOxAC92sAO6fdn3zAM8RbMDm8fmcxfHrxM7k3gXf8N6TmjISEPaxRs0plufPxxAKP_FcFxxHlXiOlHS46oj4nxyoEXSvyx825sWppC-7QXEikDTyIM2icQ6vKzf_ogxjnjQ3pSavrwzS7sWu_579uZeTscSfW1uxLC59Law67H-UYVLf7pjaAmNp8K76X/s320/IMG_20231221_195648354%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Swimming was unexpectedly cancelled on Monday, which was A-OK with us. G has some congestion, so I was going to keep him at home anyways. It's no fun trying to swim with a stuffy nose. It allowed us a more leisurely night with just TKD as the activity.</p><p style="text-align: center;">G's purple belt finally came!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTeIMlcj1L-fIIzjP-rrXkKAyQ_iw5MOZoBAuVrSJba21soDC_v5PMHG2KL5s1QC8_j8loqCB1moj1m-9DcVidNCbOdupbUrhQr3Ex2AYlBEy3jWzFwbGmKikxIX6rWA6XPlBXz81MJ7T_j14USqqDO_pQCshZbCMBUODB36VToTJLVrjxxL8TBCQ-5Tw/s1440/IMG_20231218_193618066_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTeIMlcj1L-fIIzjP-rrXkKAyQ_iw5MOZoBAuVrSJba21soDC_v5PMHG2KL5s1QC8_j8loqCB1moj1m-9DcVidNCbOdupbUrhQr3Ex2AYlBEy3jWzFwbGmKikxIX6rWA6XPlBXz81MJ7T_j14USqqDO_pQCshZbCMBUODB36VToTJLVrjxxL8TBCQ-5Tw/s320/IMG_20231218_193618066_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4th stripe on the green belt!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7Lw77u3vbwGtKCQ0RnNSqcVQAQ8w9BGbid4-ErfuIPurHhZcu3XWMqL-kxScEbqNJlnrUQqABZINbxXIrQcDDRMAq3YsbmUtFcZHl1NiVECo1-yD7mani9Y1GmPA-a6inXg7Ua4uyRgYswf0Ksn7V-Sciu9oRlcAJ_lrQsQx7NOcCg0Q5yFxa53VLw-U/s1440/IMG_20231218_193626194_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7Lw77u3vbwGtKCQ0RnNSqcVQAQ8w9BGbid4-ErfuIPurHhZcu3XWMqL-kxScEbqNJlnrUQqABZINbxXIrQcDDRMAq3YsbmUtFcZHl1NiVECo1-yD7mani9Y1GmPA-a6inXg7Ua4uyRgYswf0Ksn7V-Sciu9oRlcAJ_lrQsQx7NOcCg0Q5yFxa53VLw-U/s320/IMG_20231218_193626194_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I am taking the week off between Christmas and New Years, and I am very, very excited for it. I really need this downtime to focus on the home and family, and to decompress from the last several months of work. Scott will be working 4 days next week, so no long vacay for him.</p><p>George has been a very busy elf, and I'm not sure how he's going to top himself next year!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Sunday, December 17</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">"Care for a cup of tea?"</p><p style="text-align: center;">Ava really liked this tea set, so she took this...good thing G had no interest in this!</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiv5xVJJXxY2TV6RlMb2MxMtzlaTFSYEQNQ08JLVndeuzqD7UlttdFycA8jnMfrEh2tFNhflsnRN_1CkKFzrRPPFgMnY76a0KKRuyU9YqZp-mWLlAftDQdT_Tix01ZqZH90sxhX2e4ssfbt2GK3re2EMZw_mMXLNQrd_Ox_8OReAtzsLs80hRP8Jcvyqd/s1440/IMG_20231216_212843665%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiv5xVJJXxY2TV6RlMb2MxMtzlaTFSYEQNQ08JLVndeuzqD7UlttdFycA8jnMfrEh2tFNhflsnRN_1CkKFzrRPPFgMnY76a0KKRuyU9YqZp-mWLlAftDQdT_Tix01ZqZH90sxhX2e4ssfbt2GK3re2EMZw_mMXLNQrd_Ox_8OReAtzsLs80hRP8Jcvyqd/s320/IMG_20231216_212843665%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b>Monday, December 18</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">"Can you get a hole in one?"</p><p style="text-align: center;">This is so cute...the windmill is a wind-up toy so it spins to make it more difficult to get the ball through</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QHY8ILE353FZpm6CHU7FdktoLVLstTTW1JxEI_uYUmJJFnQKjsUkuTKVlqTKjgC9p6ADQ1mQKAry13v7T-IHYbu0zhzzxvBE2S9kCuHBEU-SDT91rmiPuEL9VwwsmMp56PC6b5KdKJ55EdiOrN1twyTIW_ghDFWU8k1AL4SXkOAHTDnUwRcuoAZD5-Zy/s1440/IMG_20231217_210334337_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QHY8ILE353FZpm6CHU7FdktoLVLstTTW1JxEI_uYUmJJFnQKjsUkuTKVlqTKjgC9p6ADQ1mQKAry13v7T-IHYbu0zhzzxvBE2S9kCuHBEU-SDT91rmiPuEL9VwwsmMp56PC6b5KdKJ55EdiOrN1twyTIW_ghDFWU8k1AL4SXkOAHTDnUwRcuoAZD5-Zy/s320/IMG_20231217_210334337_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b>Tuesday, December 19</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">"Racing towards Christmas!"</p><p style="text-align: center;">For someone who had a massive fear of balloons when he was little, G grabbed this one and took it up to his room, right away!</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyduVJmioc5IT_z_ptNbchG484j_Y9f6j9yeLrCum4HYo-ElX9zp5J5Cfjtiusrr7PzzcoW_c9XybRkBKa5s0VqMuI4gsiBK6kqQF4VIMlmdVchN28LbXz_MaL2yDHfTX2nghrqY1euGs_JNKOgn2C88BGry6h6SAUQigfk6HkJ1TADuDjUq5IOa3ZYHM/s1440/IMG_20231218_210708443_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyduVJmioc5IT_z_ptNbchG484j_Y9f6j9yeLrCum4HYo-ElX9zp5J5Cfjtiusrr7PzzcoW_c9XybRkBKa5s0VqMuI4gsiBK6kqQF4VIMlmdVchN28LbXz_MaL2yDHfTX2nghrqY1euGs_JNKOgn2C88BGry6h6SAUQigfk6HkJ1TADuDjUq5IOa3ZYHM/s320/IMG_20231218_210708443_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2d0w_vbFtRJFTWPp4fFIpAmLPipmTZF_5z1FZ-1HfOF_jYm9e-mmPlF3QVBP8fvLOVJ4cbmmYhy9w8AO4T128_rRQOEw4DMruyKRx0_dCyd2KcwpMmwXZrtEYdW7NRI22QWTe8cMvZXeSgs6DYuH7JNe9YnoHjuUl-ZDZlUuJTaOsS76IjGrPeykFyP5I/s1440/IMG_20231218_210718281%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2d0w_vbFtRJFTWPp4fFIpAmLPipmTZF_5z1FZ-1HfOF_jYm9e-mmPlF3QVBP8fvLOVJ4cbmmYhy9w8AO4T128_rRQOEw4DMruyKRx0_dCyd2KcwpMmwXZrtEYdW7NRI22QWTe8cMvZXeSgs6DYuH7JNe9YnoHjuUl-ZDZlUuJTaOsS76IjGrPeykFyP5I/s320/IMG_20231218_210718281%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b>Wednesday, December 20</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">"Helping Santa hang Christmas lights is hard work!"</p><p style="text-align: center;">The little lights wrapped around George were perfect...</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcbiku6anlqRf1cVwe2W0YKkgZYX4lzT4EcuVEZ0qjGZn8FTSKeO185juR16p0gBaM28bdkbzkF5kS_G9j3TusyCW42DZCeCkOKOzaDj9QpNYKf809pwBGH4NhuhtK3oo586Qz2p8TRKQFV0OqEDW7pEFxufD5WxJ5jXXKCWuIVlbjn5PF0Nm0GYljl0c/s1440/IMG_20231219_214212832%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcbiku6anlqRf1cVwe2W0YKkgZYX4lzT4EcuVEZ0qjGZn8FTSKeO185juR16p0gBaM28bdkbzkF5kS_G9j3TusyCW42DZCeCkOKOzaDj9QpNYKf809pwBGH4NhuhtK3oo586Qz2p8TRKQFV0OqEDW7pEFxufD5WxJ5jXXKCWuIVlbjn5PF0Nm0GYljl0c/s320/IMG_20231219_214212832%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b>Thursday, December 21</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">"Rockin' around the Christmas tree"</p><p style="text-align: center;">...to hang on the larger tree!</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK3uHPX8-eCOG6fmx0dNWxdDX0JkGVLYVyPwhwwDGcFk0y2PZiBP4VJ9P0iEr_vzDKED9u23FXnNfp-TOPCIsaQxZrFPP7tCgFAl2bkgzLoehAaGfS86-03pe3HoVXwAI4fr81mxCV8sc5_SVkwv-4WFGtj4zdrfup_IJJx0Whoyrvp5mjqJIh6jinucq/s1440/IMG_20231220_211058111%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKK3uHPX8-eCOG6fmx0dNWxdDX0JkGVLYVyPwhwwDGcFk0y2PZiBP4VJ9P0iEr_vzDKED9u23FXnNfp-TOPCIsaQxZrFPP7tCgFAl2bkgzLoehAaGfS86-03pe3HoVXwAI4fr81mxCV8sc5_SVkwv-4WFGtj4zdrfup_IJJx0Whoyrvp5mjqJIh6jinucq/s320/IMG_20231220_211058111%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b>Friday, December 22</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">"My elf curling style is 'merry and bright'!"</p><p style="text-align: center;">This little curling set was a ton of fun to play with...the stones slide so well!</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e4AczLFBhVzq3BJJioJDXag1BKGKP_QmQjVgI7Ll3N0iq8fa2QuWVH_8RGkYRHSPvfskJ2RsEsf7fNfI29XLaURxECQ60CwdceC2mAbEE4JcqEwtS_MsZdruT7a39XHUEfpk_3KOCQ_za1gueoBFbH2A3_zvtIddEqMNRm04aTMi2pT1ic3_xXmO8jhH/s1440/IMG_20231221_215022450%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e4AczLFBhVzq3BJJioJDXag1BKGKP_QmQjVgI7Ll3N0iq8fa2QuWVH_8RGkYRHSPvfskJ2RsEsf7fNfI29XLaURxECQ60CwdceC2mAbEE4JcqEwtS_MsZdruT7a39XHUEfpk_3KOCQ_za1gueoBFbH2A3_zvtIddEqMNRm04aTMi2pT1ic3_xXmO8jhH/s320/IMG_20231221_215022450%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqTItF52tOP0JM64mvhC1Kqop-wkGlmM9XC8S92tZPr9xHf4TRw7dPy2UXpH3te4mraYD4PY-jwh6aiNUEy3LfIXdqtE_BnCRMHZHYP_3NXjiPA2_oIX_E8KOe4E2uInHfB8i-cWfM7bUfIMIbmjuXS47A4fJRAx9LyQ0F-0x_wKOQnBC2P1KNUvimHPm/s1440/IMG_20231221_215039548%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqTItF52tOP0JM64mvhC1Kqop-wkGlmM9XC8S92tZPr9xHf4TRw7dPy2UXpH3te4mraYD4PY-jwh6aiNUEy3LfIXdqtE_BnCRMHZHYP_3NXjiPA2_oIX_E8KOe4E2uInHfB8i-cWfM7bUfIMIbmjuXS47A4fJRAx9LyQ0F-0x_wKOQnBC2P1KNUvimHPm/s320/IMG_20231221_215039548%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b>Saturday, December 23</b></p><p style="text-align: center;">"DONUT you know how much I love you!"</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhdOXfF_CcQ4l5XzvgdujrbnU-wpBTt_gAuKpT-EUoMX06ECCLAzpzJSRDlpqXHB6VO2pdrZBkjct28bZGpRL4Hhhq7k5lIAKZCcDxc2P8jMqQJ5zHbhO0RlPCymaihu6sNj2OaYzV3zewDG2kftNhPLzuxUlZF9CseSv8u_EJPoE8nu7PxnndhLpVNKh/s1440/IMG_20231222_213608719%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhdOXfF_CcQ4l5XzvgdujrbnU-wpBTt_gAuKpT-EUoMX06ECCLAzpzJSRDlpqXHB6VO2pdrZBkjct28bZGpRL4Hhhq7k5lIAKZCcDxc2P8jMqQJ5zHbhO0RlPCymaihu6sNj2OaYzV3zewDG2kftNhPLzuxUlZF9CseSv8u_EJPoE8nu7PxnndhLpVNKh/s320/IMG_20231222_213608719%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">George will only be visiting us for one more night (Sunday), as then he flies home with Santa on Christmas Eve. He was such a fun elf this year, and G loved seeing what he was going to be doing each day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas to you and yours!</span></i></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-92154815693882727802023-12-17T07:30:00.001-06:002023-12-17T07:30:00.140-06:00Snuggly Warm<p>It's the time of year to be cozy, so there's nothing better than sitting in front of a warm fire, reading a good book/watching a good show, and enjoying the glow of the Christmas tree. Even Pria thinks so!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JAKZbQG0V6YSjkI7Y4qbn9rPxFdgfmemY901eG8JvLraEKSvvJyxLd2zDvWa_a80JPSjcNyCMiEdwLtyg7Gy_Jvr6XZdQ1L9xx9RzxQ9papOZ60JIsCTmwTZlfg9usRld7WdLdh0GIHYGyabkhmbomDns4y4nMfhdIf4-3hWd85JH5E-y_6mtKaPoZdU/s1440/IMG_20231210_181545624_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JAKZbQG0V6YSjkI7Y4qbn9rPxFdgfmemY901eG8JvLraEKSvvJyxLd2zDvWa_a80JPSjcNyCMiEdwLtyg7Gy_Jvr6XZdQ1L9xx9RzxQ9papOZ60JIsCTmwTZlfg9usRld7WdLdh0GIHYGyabkhmbomDns4y4nMfhdIf4-3hWd85JH5E-y_6mtKaPoZdU/s320/IMG_20231210_181545624_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pria was avoiding the vacuum earlier this week...she loves to be on Ava's bed!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDrDbJmW0Cyx6BOc7884-6PkBCk_D3pmqFhWu6eZXJMa2JUptZdAlsnLF9WYYjA88kq-1X79rtqbxe8OiiE7_fVtmXd7n3jPH0tP1FgcsdjgO6EAMLTrlP4ZmjFP3iWaOIX06_RV0qv5fVyRi8G_s2rP1Aa2Q1wpf2-I2UfDxwLgkZTWVonVdD0xSlFcQ/s1440/IMG_20231211_120811911%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDrDbJmW0Cyx6BOc7884-6PkBCk_D3pmqFhWu6eZXJMa2JUptZdAlsnLF9WYYjA88kq-1X79rtqbxe8OiiE7_fVtmXd7n3jPH0tP1FgcsdjgO6EAMLTrlP4ZmjFP3iWaOIX06_RV0qv5fVyRi8G_s2rP1Aa2Q1wpf2-I2UfDxwLgkZTWVonVdD0xSlFcQ/s320/IMG_20231211_120811911%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Getting cozy inside of a little fortress</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMl8A2KTy_TZtUGwsD8uJcCdAKrwMBVEoxQUlSnXAOt7Ek9zDEmMhwPciQ8Pn-nRGkUMpvqAVfSP6iAw04hwExYv94fSIenDg2U2PDWJc0IEw6BzmqFxlhF1vBroYDjn1hkfaVLn3x1KE5dYJdDmLSk1uKD5ozuyFJZwrrdwAN068J4zMtY4_NMpijV0T/s1440/IMG_20231212_183705305_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMl8A2KTy_TZtUGwsD8uJcCdAKrwMBVEoxQUlSnXAOt7Ek9zDEmMhwPciQ8Pn-nRGkUMpvqAVfSP6iAw04hwExYv94fSIenDg2U2PDWJc0IEw6BzmqFxlhF1vBroYDjn1hkfaVLn3x1KE5dYJdDmLSk1uKD5ozuyFJZwrrdwAN068J4zMtY4_NMpijV0T/s320/IMG_20231212_183705305_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a fairly busy week at school, work, and extracurricular activities, we all enjoyed a night at home on Friday. G and I built gingerbread houses (they both look a little sad, but we had fun), and then we all played Tractoropoly for a few hours. Turns out that G was stockpiling money, so we need to figure out his secret on how to save!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlytsylKA41rJ006ZqFmVl64lxwrVWfyrw_W5HM2bZLhePBlwbKi1yNmJ38_rTFbcclX7NkX1PE_nn-3W_gxQTHBXmAzMWiwrq0k3GWm_XDy53lz-oyBSUU_NCOyoymT4s3qQD6oy6TynHZBHF9sMq7aWF5lb4CpswC08rMWimZ3aoA6zAB6unvyUQcis/s1440/IMG_20231215_175350583_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlytsylKA41rJ006ZqFmVl64lxwrVWfyrw_W5HM2bZLhePBlwbKi1yNmJ38_rTFbcclX7NkX1PE_nn-3W_gxQTHBXmAzMWiwrq0k3GWm_XDy53lz-oyBSUU_NCOyoymT4s3qQD6oy6TynHZBHF9sMq7aWF5lb4CpswC08rMWimZ3aoA6zAB6unvyUQcis/s320/IMG_20231215_175350583_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYe5MWODl2RlVW3OHwARddnyIN7pMuaA8WTYiejF22o83hC6Jc7JyY8VS9v2WzLN68-jL-48l-OZtQO_PaottV-hN9j9M4z1vWfL39XlKweuxwYrg4Rlh1hnDWav62RCi8u1V1ZPYQWzHIDxdpIaGzZZFe1xQzzGYyFvV9Gx2NIdc2YwNBiM6cJKK-Xkm/s1440/IMG_20231215_175448878_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYe5MWODl2RlVW3OHwARddnyIN7pMuaA8WTYiejF22o83hC6Jc7JyY8VS9v2WzLN68-jL-48l-OZtQO_PaottV-hN9j9M4z1vWfL39XlKweuxwYrg4Rlh1hnDWav62RCi8u1V1ZPYQWzHIDxdpIaGzZZFe1xQzzGYyFvV9Gx2NIdc2YwNBiM6cJKK-Xkm/s320/IMG_20231215_175448878_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Love Ava's face and hand placement here</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIta1HBEm3nDB5w0s235jiAF1w-Y1uJfQ5lIdEuoJPIMI3d4roS5oKBqCQC3bie-KEmZZy6OR2SiBA7_LTaaazWb076I7SZUs24SWgd3BfdNLdCvtcwZzHKmsSeuOF6hOTBUBr90KEQh97adCoZh7h0JEEfnRI9g2ovcRgEa0kDF-h1OAddpvMidHvROO/s1440/IMG_20231215_191311775_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIta1HBEm3nDB5w0s235jiAF1w-Y1uJfQ5lIdEuoJPIMI3d4roS5oKBqCQC3bie-KEmZZy6OR2SiBA7_LTaaazWb076I7SZUs24SWgd3BfdNLdCvtcwZzHKmsSeuOF6hOTBUBr90KEQh97adCoZh7h0JEEfnRI9g2ovcRgEa0kDF-h1OAddpvMidHvROO/s320/IMG_20231215_191311775_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>And we can't forget all of the treats that George brought this week!<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sunday, December 10</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Can you get a bullseye?"</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbvNpf7YIaR41adSdj48JJKZ1f6IPKiMOgxPNVc2ZGBwlXaMRnS2QfKYd7nO4BGUVrDkFszrletw-ILZkx7Ttr2YDMLntYc2Q-xpBW_3LUBlengR_jNuZD709fWG62ExTHjcYiue9miVpwz24-6DYYaxiJg2rw4VW0-97E812UKwikfmkoeb0JBOnCJIF/s1440/IMG_20231209_211700480%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrbvNpf7YIaR41adSdj48JJKZ1f6IPKiMOgxPNVc2ZGBwlXaMRnS2QfKYd7nO4BGUVrDkFszrletw-ILZkx7Ttr2YDMLntYc2Q-xpBW_3LUBlengR_jNuZD709fWG62ExTHjcYiue9miVpwz24-6DYYaxiJg2rw4VW0-97E812UKwikfmkoeb0JBOnCJIF/s320/IMG_20231209_211700480%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Monday, December 11</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"I'm brining Christmas Cheer, by singing loud for everyone to hear!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkc1IY6F0EUl13pMKXb2eN7ozVl8h_e_A1oGkzID_RWGirdQOp2TvrscEsVpDH7l6a1Lh-9VwcRxyAGoJuZ2aJFg2r6pym7Kz4PDD3IfoxpKWHeGcfX_jKsjOb-rkqnPWSsJju6XlMewQFeYEYdbJy9EyYFrYjHdvyY5m-V48hnp5ClJnR9xumesqhl0Fn/s1440/IMG_20231210_205417962_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkc1IY6F0EUl13pMKXb2eN7ozVl8h_e_A1oGkzID_RWGirdQOp2TvrscEsVpDH7l6a1Lh-9VwcRxyAGoJuZ2aJFg2r6pym7Kz4PDD3IfoxpKWHeGcfX_jKsjOb-rkqnPWSsJju6XlMewQFeYEYdbJy9EyYFrYjHdvyY5m-V48hnp5ClJnR9xumesqhl0Fn/s320/IMG_20231210_205417962_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tuesday, December 12</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Don't be the one to make the tower tumble!"</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17d9ckDUwllokoNoLAsPMSZss6jLa3szQuhp9C3eFmyfEUoLchpcsIDhv3LarfySGwHy8RDzD_m5W1x5-nKJlQa8AnTV9dyxezJnwCTuPijtdirW9-5hD8ly4cUCh5VSoRml19hm7DItBHprEGAXAsVLScoDrLt4ouz-o_futGU5GSAdGTlYLoxfNsutT/s1440/IMG_20231211_211206370%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg17d9ckDUwllokoNoLAsPMSZss6jLa3szQuhp9C3eFmyfEUoLchpcsIDhv3LarfySGwHy8RDzD_m5W1x5-nKJlQa8AnTV9dyxezJnwCTuPijtdirW9-5hD8ly4cUCh5VSoRml19hm7DItBHprEGAXAsVLScoDrLt4ouz-o_futGU5GSAdGTlYLoxfNsutT/s320/IMG_20231211_211206370%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Wednesday, December 13</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"You are a-MAZE-ing!"</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuWbzIKLStTjVtmi428IoRs-rfi7sP6Hg4s4hkwPkrOkFRb85GRJyWztjdb9wGXteJzDHOiIkkMk0huWF-XhLnFrsAx5p8lYRNj-2yuU-htWaAujFr_gNYAsoLBAo21ufXP2SIdgHiPAE4IXuJV7_CmujRk4siB2VV3tQaPwWkcLRvdOB6CPhTWmvIx4H/s1440/IMG_20231212_210655627%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuWbzIKLStTjVtmi428IoRs-rfi7sP6Hg4s4hkwPkrOkFRb85GRJyWztjdb9wGXteJzDHOiIkkMk0huWF-XhLnFrsAx5p8lYRNj-2yuU-htWaAujFr_gNYAsoLBAo21ufXP2SIdgHiPAE4IXuJV7_CmujRk4siB2VV3tQaPwWkcLRvdOB6CPhTWmvIx4H/s320/IMG_20231212_210655627%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Thursday, December 14</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Let's play some reindeer games!"</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKQ3NBh5npNGOXgC6gdo0m2DBxalizWBbo1s1rhWYjt-0zUwqfLxln5G5SyujIZkt7WwTfzTFRSb6O42cnCG2ZhQT3R1iY2zenFOn9jYxHdyjqSMoXU9AHjsBYCd3RFlFxNnt6ovliez3PT0UBGbBR-Qy2z3YM4pCqfPf0018lpVKXOJG1czGpNnipD3R/s1440/IMG_20231213_231914807%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKQ3NBh5npNGOXgC6gdo0m2DBxalizWBbo1s1rhWYjt-0zUwqfLxln5G5SyujIZkt7WwTfzTFRSb6O42cnCG2ZhQT3R1iY2zenFOn9jYxHdyjqSMoXU9AHjsBYCd3RFlFxNnt6ovliez3PT0UBGbBR-Qy2z3YM4pCqfPf0018lpVKXOJG1czGpNnipD3R/s320/IMG_20231213_231914807%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Friday, December 15</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Add water to these magical beads and watch them grow!"</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXejiBislhomtAcYvVK8LDnd3qNGIaj2gpHEYBEDW62QXIQNM9QlJZJkdIVdA8HVIOSadZB5XFLFE2MlMr_uZzP3RrBJxHwQqyHh9kB3OFWL9D9CpUDdtURIDIjhhwH8eZcfV5vCwyjvaqrajY9QPsgFs_L1hck_RQsOOqvffJu8ucd1jUvNf4wQXwvt_i/s1440/IMG_20231214_211323615%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXejiBislhomtAcYvVK8LDnd3qNGIaj2gpHEYBEDW62QXIQNM9QlJZJkdIVdA8HVIOSadZB5XFLFE2MlMr_uZzP3RrBJxHwQqyHh9kB3OFWL9D9CpUDdtURIDIjhhwH8eZcfV5vCwyjvaqrajY9QPsgFs_L1hck_RQsOOqvffJu8ucd1jUvNf4wQXwvt_i/s320/IMG_20231214_211323615%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Saturday, December 16</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Do you want to build a snowman?"</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvulXKDHrkwDUQ7Cn2PbfqZdgmEYbXrKOH8aajcnUtK0il4iRWVBFGx2qhLnRmcZX5__X3G6ryUooio2SNPRL4LUeijYuZfYHMlGUKAlCkTKymhB97nvnXG3kr7I9rv5Zz-3oj3TLSipEvuHRuaoNsNR2ctDRshAWGtKcEKIc1x3GtrfK0U9HoV2q47zf/s1440/IMG_20231215_211244520%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvulXKDHrkwDUQ7Cn2PbfqZdgmEYbXrKOH8aajcnUtK0il4iRWVBFGx2qhLnRmcZX5__X3G6ryUooio2SNPRL4LUeijYuZfYHMlGUKAlCkTKymhB97nvnXG3kr7I9rv5Zz-3oj3TLSipEvuHRuaoNsNR2ctDRshAWGtKcEKIc1x3GtrfK0U9HoV2q47zf/s320/IMG_20231215_211244520%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I didn't take any pics, but we did the Magic of Lights drive-thru experience over at Vikings Lake on Wednesday night, and it was pretty neat. I was happy to see a big light display a bit closer to home, so we didn't have to drive across the cities for an event like that. We didn't stop at the warming tent afterwards for hot chocolate, but I'm glad we checked it out this year. We're checking things off the holiday bucket list, one by one!</div>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-40704691697210409562023-12-10T07:30:00.001-06:002023-12-10T07:30:00.144-06:00Christmas treats...Yummy!We had another great week filled with visits from George, some Christmas treat baking/decorating, and all of the other typical things that we try to squeeze in during the non-holiday season!<div><br /></div><div>Last Sunday, my mom came over and provided support while I made fudge, and then helped decorate us Christmas cookies. This year, we opted to purchase pre-baked cutout cookies in a kit, so we could focus on the decorating. The cookies aren't nearly as good as the ones my mom makes, but we still had fun!<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EU9MxA5734LHRymz3azVBxUBeplLnyRuEulPNmZVELYV_oMYupxPh0d3bwIxzd9-R6bkpKt07aS2FMb_wmhtQWQ2Ewqj09gDHU1HnajEZ9RTSuy-UpingOpc0zs8DTJWmYOrJbU1N6Rms2NYOoXu2EG9SQNgTynE7XM8XllRhQJOLkMYfCwjbBGBpkrZ/s1440/IMG_20231203_151554685_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EU9MxA5734LHRymz3azVBxUBeplLnyRuEulPNmZVELYV_oMYupxPh0d3bwIxzd9-R6bkpKt07aS2FMb_wmhtQWQ2Ewqj09gDHU1HnajEZ9RTSuy-UpingOpc0zs8DTJWmYOrJbU1N6Rms2NYOoXu2EG9SQNgTynE7XM8XllRhQJOLkMYfCwjbBGBpkrZ/s320/IMG_20231203_151554685_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one is my personal favorite...so cute!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw6HbZhc-dp7zETmTzBUDaN51yR1CTBd2BBaF3mUyzVuYbKnQ0OSGbEKXa0X2IZuuSBvZ8_ZJh21lg7QW5igOhAQZOKzhcRtg34fMbiRcetJ6SX3TMgQ-IdgWlMXSye-Mvfh4PE8lZsufpcqNUuXzSpmbstkvdQdbTvKpMzbm78w0G1dfT4oM6YFF8dac/s1440/IMG_20231204_201836327_MF_PORTRAIT%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw6HbZhc-dp7zETmTzBUDaN51yR1CTBd2BBaF3mUyzVuYbKnQ0OSGbEKXa0X2IZuuSBvZ8_ZJh21lg7QW5igOhAQZOKzhcRtg34fMbiRcetJ6SX3TMgQ-IdgWlMXSye-Mvfh4PE8lZsufpcqNUuXzSpmbstkvdQdbTvKpMzbm78w0G1dfT4oM6YFF8dac/s320/IMG_20231204_201836327_MF_PORTRAIT%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">On Monday night, Ava earned her third stripe on her green belt in TKD. Way to go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55dGe0mj0aEjgr9HbmqrmpfCl5gVrWTIfST-xKF_4mn6UGvZMuS1im1cLS3an9BFRqfZVIquf849AwAUiFTiYu2BEMMYwk-AtAGJvnAeQhrW5BYor3kJa6y4cGX3_ipVOSlAviqmtZnHgL_K6lAWWmzh_scJPxbzrp8DrpoNJ6SNyuu6rUYSqodN-NyQR/s1440/IMG_20231204_193749180_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55dGe0mj0aEjgr9HbmqrmpfCl5gVrWTIfST-xKF_4mn6UGvZMuS1im1cLS3an9BFRqfZVIquf849AwAUiFTiYu2BEMMYwk-AtAGJvnAeQhrW5BYor3kJa6y4cGX3_ipVOSlAviqmtZnHgL_K6lAWWmzh_scJPxbzrp8DrpoNJ6SNyuu6rUYSqodN-NyQR/s320/IMG_20231204_193749180_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Earlier today (Saturday), Santa made his annual trip through our neighborhood, escorted by the Rosemount Fire and Police departments. What a fun way to meet up with our neighbors for a little bit on a Saturday morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Santa's way back there on the fire truck!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCGO_qAXrG7ClzBrlM00p_7EfkJtQdyQ7zAlwaafZ9TX4c1eQfNlfO-LD9Fzyq1Mb9pp-ep1DFFVDxLKsFythit2uTdvM3UjtnQBYevJEqULnFL5u2Quo2VHzOah0bLFsc0monnbw9Mf23QKnSSibqTbQTC0WyI_c2SGWKQVaBWz4pXft-RNpNo-vQVqP/s1440/IMG_20231209_101324191_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCGO_qAXrG7ClzBrlM00p_7EfkJtQdyQ7zAlwaafZ9TX4c1eQfNlfO-LD9Fzyq1Mb9pp-ep1DFFVDxLKsFythit2uTdvM3UjtnQBYevJEqULnFL5u2Quo2VHzOah0bLFsc0monnbw9Mf23QKnSSibqTbQTC0WyI_c2SGWKQVaBWz4pXft-RNpNo-vQVqP/s320/IMG_20231209_101324191_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And let's not forget our generous elf, George. Whadda guy! He's been bringing fun gifts every day!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Sunday, December 3</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Warming up after an epic snowball fight!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wish we had some snow to make snowballs, George! Can you bring some of that to us?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBuXiVR7GVZV1UaNeurne9C5payCXKTxN9TvjaG7HlitC80UVUrqLbjRJ4gJvnR3NAlbmhiVhE7i5oLyZgjj7piLI_85PikUYHlUKzuSVK7TfMzMmE18Aaq5JNYPOZ7HaPvYHgdZurbx8l9B_uNvEN7vchZf_a4MrfNVWWw5noe06WJeOpQjMWoDltXta/s1440/IMG_20231202_213443592%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBuXiVR7GVZV1UaNeurne9C5payCXKTxN9TvjaG7HlitC80UVUrqLbjRJ4gJvnR3NAlbmhiVhE7i5oLyZgjj7piLI_85PikUYHlUKzuSVK7TfMzMmE18Aaq5JNYPOZ7HaPvYHgdZurbx8l9B_uNvEN7vchZf_a4MrfNVWWw5noe06WJeOpQjMWoDltXta/s320/IMG_20231202_213443592%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Monday, December 4</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Don't be naughty or you might get placed in the penalty box!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB4n51cGstnWlQoQB1Z8-OGpbPodXUTi_cajM9bWyYp33hJ0YuQc-YWkgUl0LoG73fggS6S9D_2WoN7QENqTqgFQkykA5ztDq-HIFtEx26GkQjoamHpxTk-zGGaCkxI5S7raXftjwwGSb9PJnEXVH2mwJB4OOraNUUgdR4e1z8SKxV8S2QR6EIguhu37E/s1440/IMG_20231203_205506110%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB4n51cGstnWlQoQB1Z8-OGpbPodXUTi_cajM9bWyYp33hJ0YuQc-YWkgUl0LoG73fggS6S9D_2WoN7QENqTqgFQkykA5ztDq-HIFtEx26GkQjoamHpxTk-zGGaCkxI5S7raXftjwwGSb9PJnEXVH2mwJB4OOraNUUgdR4e1z8SKxV8S2QR6EIguhu37E/s320/IMG_20231203_205506110%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Tuesday, December 5</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"What fun impressions can you get?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">G was so happy to get one of these little pin toys!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhUs_aiYg5whD5Job9NYiCV1aaCrKeAYlA3F3eHzWr1X1JNZakecdZLtwhL0qpoD-zXw1yKexHBicH6_JwAsD_y8qxte0u4QDy96eV36ffqFD-qUkuYDEDaQuahC0GM7t525OtjnBOK9CMfY2_4NBjYF_EEFXEQ4nRuyXYxTQSttl7pHqFKFY-wdJ-p0L/s1440/IMG_20231204_213742293%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhUs_aiYg5whD5Job9NYiCV1aaCrKeAYlA3F3eHzWr1X1JNZakecdZLtwhL0qpoD-zXw1yKexHBicH6_JwAsD_y8qxte0u4QDy96eV36ffqFD-qUkuYDEDaQuahC0GM7t525OtjnBOK9CMfY2_4NBjYF_EEFXEQ4nRuyXYxTQSttl7pHqFKFY-wdJ-p0L/s320/IMG_20231204_213742293%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Wednesday, December 6</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Jumping for joy that Christmas is near!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We all liked the fact that the trampoline really bounces things!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXp-79PTjdcCOk0cxNJ-hKv3nHUUYL3M1N79XY0AgqDay0AuJ0oiImUfGjvIGE6mM-Dto-JS6lKr_LslBHscDLcqKvA0pd_VPYc_GSf-dx5SwaItJWEczgiDJM1xSUFl4xUMF7x7iphfIVwYZJ6Gm45wIcktmfN2aY_v_TVbk997KQkSlfG4HuUZjYbu-/s1440/IMG_20231205_212638687%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXp-79PTjdcCOk0cxNJ-hKv3nHUUYL3M1N79XY0AgqDay0AuJ0oiImUfGjvIGE6mM-Dto-JS6lKr_LslBHscDLcqKvA0pd_VPYc_GSf-dx5SwaItJWEczgiDJM1xSUFl4xUMF7x7iphfIVwYZJ6Gm45wIcktmfN2aY_v_TVbk997KQkSlfG4HuUZjYbu-/s320/IMG_20231205_212638687%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Thursday, December 7</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Can you build an elf castle?"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn45dJb42Z5_W-uvE-SkXCOHpRw4JDEXi3cOXXAhxO91IoIt7MvO4114LyeNUKjMvurN0zNsckh00ZcmSzrrTz4lZ2v_Q_kRbYFfLWACnOg7YCTCPo51lFY7U6cAMkZVs4iAYJpZ3uZfgcujmPN2ZXjYykz8EdYxquuy3r94kXl8lXPN4P_VtPUZJ37JP/s1440/IMG_20231206_212115430%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpn45dJb42Z5_W-uvE-SkXCOHpRw4JDEXi3cOXXAhxO91IoIt7MvO4114LyeNUKjMvurN0zNsckh00ZcmSzrrTz4lZ2v_Q_kRbYFfLWACnOg7YCTCPo51lFY7U6cAMkZVs4iAYJpZ3uZfgcujmPN2ZXjYykz8EdYxquuy3r94kXl8lXPN4P_VtPUZJ37JP/s320/IMG_20231206_212115430%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Friday, December 8</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Let's play bocce!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I kept finding bits of the "grass" all over the house...thanks, George.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYBYMhSeTAXGnhg2weIOAIPBY2Z07WwyOuSgeVEiKo0lAD_RmB1y8zGLsHJIiMToAyAHCUjDKdwJSfsLp5G3LBi9MytCdMUm99ZDru69cVF7lvOu56X21R8Vmkwe3XAgHhRdscm9TM1ombgltBMf6BfiVml7hIG8EuvpMfJfrZ5SEPlNFRN9kXkgYtjLB/s1440/IMG_20231207_220428172%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYBYMhSeTAXGnhg2weIOAIPBY2Z07WwyOuSgeVEiKo0lAD_RmB1y8zGLsHJIiMToAyAHCUjDKdwJSfsLp5G3LBi9MytCdMUm99ZDru69cVF7lvOu56X21R8Vmkwe3XAgHhRdscm9TM1ombgltBMf6BfiVml7hIG8EuvpMfJfrZ5SEPlNFRN9kXkgYtjLB/s320/IMG_20231207_220428172%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Saturday, December 9</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Can you draw an elf portrait?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As a matter of fact, yes, G can! Here's the blank canvas, and then G's work of art that he's gifting back to George!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWZl_dPDrHAL6T3sp_s4m9fLxDtkKc0SjN3z-10WOa-D0QlqCDn2uwLlMLCiuLuNrb5FjwMhwsaqWHjRMzmqW5m-dqe36WiMYoMsA3qAzDTp3TKqYEVx9bU0QOWHN8PCeoCfqVwLNjQ7bn93v_y8coQ4bEiDOhVyJbKlkfN_nwwMId6yznw7vAFzuHu3O/s1440/IMG_20231208_211115859%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWZl_dPDrHAL6T3sp_s4m9fLxDtkKc0SjN3z-10WOa-D0QlqCDn2uwLlMLCiuLuNrb5FjwMhwsaqWHjRMzmqW5m-dqe36WiMYoMsA3qAzDTp3TKqYEVx9bU0QOWHN8PCeoCfqVwLNjQ7bn93v_y8coQ4bEiDOhVyJbKlkfN_nwwMId6yznw7vAFzuHu3O/s320/IMG_20231208_211115859%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizV5MD36dB9xMptsLANroEuAQLVVfwEzQK2zEBONbHLK9e-jjkdO95aXib-sFn1s5Rd4rFqildr8C9vpWVfzLbvptCyyit_5idD7dWpiYi8FhoLdkLtggqyem2cKr31q6W2PI45tnZTbwAAUyAGdvPCmyX5GSO2SSvss36htya54NjxfaG_bj7exKKga3U/s1440/IMG_20231209_073736757%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizV5MD36dB9xMptsLANroEuAQLVVfwEzQK2zEBONbHLK9e-jjkdO95aXib-sFn1s5Rd4rFqildr8C9vpWVfzLbvptCyyit_5idD7dWpiYi8FhoLdkLtggqyem2cKr31q6W2PI45tnZTbwAAUyAGdvPCmyX5GSO2SSvss36htya54NjxfaG_bj7exKKga3U/s320/IMG_20231209_073736757%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Tonight, we're going out for dinner, then driving around to look at Christmas lights. I'm planning on bringing some hot chocolate for the kids (and me...Scott doesn't like sweets very much), to make it even more fun! (Looking at Christmas lights is my absolutely most favorite thing to do during this time of year.) </div><div><br /></div><div>And now my least favorite thing to do (wrapping gifts) is 99% done, and I can enjoy the holiday season without that hanging over my head. Hooray!</div>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-63827305761762181942023-12-03T07:30:00.001-06:002023-12-03T07:30:00.191-06:00Barbie & George<p>We had a fun week to wrap up November. Last Saturday, Scott and I enjoyed a nice dinner out, and then a spontaneous trip to Home Depot...and we got some new exterior Christmas décor! But more important was the time spent together. Plus, it started to snow, so the view from the restaurant was beautiful (but the drive home was a little sketchy.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLq7JjvxylZfoXjwxLtY7G-RDIcdLsaDm0VvxmYs1_uXJNXdubhXC5D2NGw1od-xyA-SfsO5YHXGEbqKbXp3dmikE-cCrYT_YMZ4OPXulLmPNP__rmLYxWKoOYcP62KD9WolPdN0uR7p0LDUuZwIiGx-aYCnRRv_5CqKjE_aITIqxAlhPNBhM2Jm-QfRjE/s1440/IMG_20231125_174110104%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLq7JjvxylZfoXjwxLtY7G-RDIcdLsaDm0VvxmYs1_uXJNXdubhXC5D2NGw1od-xyA-SfsO5YHXGEbqKbXp3dmikE-cCrYT_YMZ4OPXulLmPNP__rmLYxWKoOYcP62KD9WolPdN0uR7p0LDUuZwIiGx-aYCnRRv_5CqKjE_aITIqxAlhPNBhM2Jm-QfRjE/s320/IMG_20231125_174110104%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIA4vyIQ2GOSt-hGll9MBxffAbiPGWCZOqEe_Z1T6-_tWZZT3KtCfE_PIq2Zl60JYEHUOJp_uPj_FY1dL2OQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>On Tuesday night, Ava and I headed out to the Mall of America to experience the Malibu Barbie Café. We had a blast exploring the area, eating the yummy food, and then shopping for a bit. It was a wonderful night evening spent together.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1sBz8ejtxvdBInRLoDeCXnUuBWfHDGXARMPK8GlBnr4VEhpl30rj_Khk5cSmzuxtnvUXK4sBHXA2SVSM6i0kGdIQ8SYVM8ZsWT4jSNVvWFO3TqfwLQ3VajgC98SH5zn70NFjMpMfUvh-wX9_lUYHfUcEwxbNtZ85SUIVpyo3ogE6quXTXs544dAqUZPc/s1440/IMG_20231128_164305470_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1sBz8ejtxvdBInRLoDeCXnUuBWfHDGXARMPK8GlBnr4VEhpl30rj_Khk5cSmzuxtnvUXK4sBHXA2SVSM6i0kGdIQ8SYVM8ZsWT4jSNVvWFO3TqfwLQ3VajgC98SH5zn70NFjMpMfUvh-wX9_lUYHfUcEwxbNtZ85SUIVpyo3ogE6quXTXs544dAqUZPc/s320/IMG_20231128_164305470_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivChMDZ3_Ddjl7FY-2cqIywJJn17FP6RvgkCNNsXdVRN75MkTaFCqgCy8kX3WD0JUhwt3VS99xVGiHY9S-ec7UfTGQhsqr1RciBJF_9uHTmK57DWp9tI5zR17luUigkjCzIi2WZRCcXCMgxiUM2usMsKSLMCvZJXWznLQ8a0M_gsBbflAZYrYA-UhaLj7q/s1440/IMG_20231128_165021839%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivChMDZ3_Ddjl7FY-2cqIywJJn17FP6RvgkCNNsXdVRN75MkTaFCqgCy8kX3WD0JUhwt3VS99xVGiHY9S-ec7UfTGQhsqr1RciBJF_9uHTmK57DWp9tI5zR17luUigkjCzIi2WZRCcXCMgxiUM2usMsKSLMCvZJXWznLQ8a0M_gsBbflAZYrYA-UhaLj7q/s320/IMG_20231128_165021839%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-DZR1GoZNfzzfn_8ZaK-MeLAQXIWy4j8rmzS9Nhvpi2oSPL1wIw_9Yqa_T3ruzthz2tJRVoSYcfElqe9lLF_-iIOBHx4iL6jkVpGQUap8XY6pLN35eTSEIKq0Y1WL_L5L11RgJbhFKOImzbyUi9qYAqXb4KaPIxEydv1jbMLTpySGg4UHW5gDuvHe7QJ/s1440/IMG_20231128_165055663%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-DZR1GoZNfzzfn_8ZaK-MeLAQXIWy4j8rmzS9Nhvpi2oSPL1wIw_9Yqa_T3ruzthz2tJRVoSYcfElqe9lLF_-iIOBHx4iL6jkVpGQUap8XY6pLN35eTSEIKq0Y1WL_L5L11RgJbhFKOImzbyUi9qYAqXb4KaPIxEydv1jbMLTpySGg4UHW5gDuvHe7QJ/s320/IMG_20231128_165055663%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWaWRTXYzLZh7_qMKpib52B9VpB0bLFr9QZIITvkuUWP8wCwD8YMmqXOmtM5vlYreVvPIukkdD-jISYBKATcSyQpcdKsov9LyNLQHPSe_U0fHqxXqmM9CNFuWNh0KInruAS_FSw4EQkBA4ltU4hnIQNJs4uE-lIdyKVW8ZfRF2y_PCCT9HHoh7TGoeiiD/s1440/IMG_20231128_165144374%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWaWRTXYzLZh7_qMKpib52B9VpB0bLFr9QZIITvkuUWP8wCwD8YMmqXOmtM5vlYreVvPIukkdD-jISYBKATcSyQpcdKsov9LyNLQHPSe_U0fHqxXqmM9CNFuWNh0KInruAS_FSw4EQkBA4ltU4hnIQNJs4uE-lIdyKVW8ZfRF2y_PCCT9HHoh7TGoeiiD/s320/IMG_20231128_165144374%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even the drinks were pretty!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlpBDbrRdA-Sp3AIjykNAdSsPct6J4bCBsHyTGM0FyJkHt1rQj2504XMyN6wkfjGOzvmI3X2ViWYU8gLEm9mbMJNJfCluxXlCY03ikecfcJkawcp0Mso6Edl_Q0F30NLLgyHeMD_flT0OJ5-5vz6PWbTMnPwQHUeQuEjWcO7Iwrg4kbrvXmJHp91gIY2C/s1440/IMG_20231128_165523582%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlpBDbrRdA-Sp3AIjykNAdSsPct6J4bCBsHyTGM0FyJkHt1rQj2504XMyN6wkfjGOzvmI3X2ViWYU8gLEm9mbMJNJfCluxXlCY03ikecfcJkawcp0Mso6Edl_Q0F30NLLgyHeMD_flT0OJ5-5vz6PWbTMnPwQHUeQuEjWcO7Iwrg4kbrvXmJHp91gIY2C/s320/IMG_20231128_165523582%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Avocado Toast & salad</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVnk0cZlGchfQ6Fjw5p9_MH5tcnpm3vhcG9ttB45C94INz0Z7FHD1KfahYisN9vWocjc44-YzJXzjcpTNYGXqcXHek5jHs2mHrS4R498tACQ4OnalVFyE_s1Z_r338KmhlHMhdFPzAwjLp8NipGxQoYpcd1CAT6BgnJQUL6-h34kXjkb0gx5SKyMcAhg3/s1440/IMG_20231128_170146710%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVnk0cZlGchfQ6Fjw5p9_MH5tcnpm3vhcG9ttB45C94INz0Z7FHD1KfahYisN9vWocjc44-YzJXzjcpTNYGXqcXHek5jHs2mHrS4R498tACQ4OnalVFyE_s1Z_r338KmhlHMhdFPzAwjLp8NipGxQoYpcd1CAT6BgnJQUL6-h34kXjkb0gx5SKyMcAhg3/s320/IMG_20231128_170146710%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ava's Paradise Pancakes</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2_y6GOQ2Rfg7V6paoHzdGm8YQ-V1h_XDOLDdTiD9K3ZJuj_OBBrEJijgCx6lwiuY66VtV3xgpSMYeDYMtg2Jdsi_aTRgqjRwpagGN4psIl-AOkow7pXyp7LVSelHgu2r3ryfVRjgB4XRbiFUXGYoXP163WVnAQh8xSWJfp1oFOStmGHfOoq7ydf9IPLo/s1440/IMG_20231128_170154550%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2_y6GOQ2Rfg7V6paoHzdGm8YQ-V1h_XDOLDdTiD9K3ZJuj_OBBrEJijgCx6lwiuY66VtV3xgpSMYeDYMtg2Jdsi_aTRgqjRwpagGN4psIl-AOkow7pXyp7LVSelHgu2r3ryfVRjgB4XRbiFUXGYoXP163WVnAQh8xSWJfp1oFOStmGHfOoq7ydf9IPLo/s320/IMG_20231128_170154550%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTothckm-BTsac8nK2itdEsqdVwEx5rcqO9_Q_jax3uU3measY8Ff9KvjKA-gduzjV0LUBdMQGijojflOJBmqU3PghlDZi-Ndl0G31tJ7s03SoZQDFCHh8uN_G0_emjhgIgrvVXgfLlgNlUeEC9oAcE7svs0WO6fVUp4vH4-Eix3YilitlPZTLABfgPdZ8/s1440/IMG_20231128_173238804_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTothckm-BTsac8nK2itdEsqdVwEx5rcqO9_Q_jax3uU3measY8Ff9KvjKA-gduzjV0LUBdMQGijojflOJBmqU3PghlDZi-Ndl0G31tJ7s03SoZQDFCHh8uN_G0_emjhgIgrvVXgfLlgNlUeEC9oAcE7svs0WO6fVUp4vH4-Eix3YilitlPZTLABfgPdZ8/s320/IMG_20231128_173238804_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t205ckDcrgzKibEf5_VI2aDF9-1oFW1ZTc1U20lenHl96LPlAJ5BTq_V4eOyMANGBIh-Y2ZEDNe-6nyDvIKRoZITViGFpINXaeZJ8MaGDFKcZ52wG7iT-nY__MDnv7WvP_6f10chx2W93h3RjQXJIRq5GD_hrrVxR8uUg93Ri5xxsyWJwDkHy7UvTBDU/s1440/IMG_20231128_173357275_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t205ckDcrgzKibEf5_VI2aDF9-1oFW1ZTc1U20lenHl96LPlAJ5BTq_V4eOyMANGBIh-Y2ZEDNe-6nyDvIKRoZITViGFpINXaeZJ8MaGDFKcZ52wG7iT-nY__MDnv7WvP_6f10chx2W93h3RjQXJIRq5GD_hrrVxR8uUg93Ri5xxsyWJwDkHy7UvTBDU/s320/IMG_20231128_173357275_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlj1A2KpVsxcXLTQt9RR57mKJCRawy3WAm8L3uMlTtazt12_0mRLCy6rh3Z1uK74s-50NTkLq3dJ6EJR5UyuOfTh72XTscnxbnJZHwyoBA8aJVSF5vcu2SpSiGd0eeRdtFCdk92AxM6TiB5Hi650-nNORryzjNXkfWJZkr6hIej-xNiDO0zv-9z_4vwHe4/s320/IMG_20231128_173426310%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6bo42v0UCkYNjZathazWog8h4rM_LgADeMcot2MYqvLUf7Qr7WYkvPVa951FCAb__0JD-3xx9dW6GhBe6OPfSEmZ_NvFSmL4uoEBcunw4wUt2ZfBU7gZ4xZ8ANFa2GXtxsJos-4Onl2mb-jYGaQEYXnmR5njMDxuCEkVzxWt3GpaTReF-SxtGyiaOj-l/s1595/original_a99890cd-a94c-4dad-b951-7d51cd55eac6_IMG_20231128_165328651%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1595" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6bo42v0UCkYNjZathazWog8h4rM_LgADeMcot2MYqvLUf7Qr7WYkvPVa951FCAb__0JD-3xx9dW6GhBe6OPfSEmZ_NvFSmL4uoEBcunw4wUt2ZfBU7gZ4xZ8ANFa2GXtxsJos-4Onl2mb-jYGaQEYXnmR5njMDxuCEkVzxWt3GpaTReF-SxtGyiaOj-l/s320/original_a99890cd-a94c-4dad-b951-7d51cd55eac6_IMG_20231128_165328651%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>On Friday night, my book club gathered for our holiday party and it was a blast! We had such a good time chatting, eating, drinking, and finished off the night with a book exchange. I cherish and deeply appreciate the friendships that have developed with my neighbors because of this book club.<br /><p>And to really kick off the holiday season, our elf George came back a few nights ago! We welcomed him back with open arms, especially after he told us that he's been all over the world, but his favorite place is to be with us. Oh, George! I love that G wrote his letter to Santa, and then George took it back to the big man that night.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Wednesday, November 29</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8D0nGzHiMSoYuWAKg-5IXsdos4I5RZVnFut6Shs2QT6SV3_TIHm5OQ8sApEgkK5CbzlCGKW70eTHOrxY8l2Lz6yM0Bj2veuR0gjFf5IpWw4ZszW74MAMMghvGWH7bKf75v5ZugWWEhl4cIdUszPegpIxm75Nk-Z0AJCRF8aA9L9nbxuWHS72oshEdSc8/s1440/IMG_20231129_081042375_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8D0nGzHiMSoYuWAKg-5IXsdos4I5RZVnFut6Shs2QT6SV3_TIHm5OQ8sApEgkK5CbzlCGKW70eTHOrxY8l2Lz6yM0Bj2veuR0gjFf5IpWw4ZszW74MAMMghvGWH7bKf75v5ZugWWEhl4cIdUszPegpIxm75Nk-Z0AJCRF8aA9L9nbxuWHS72oshEdSc8/s320/IMG_20231129_081042375_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Thursday, November 30</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Cranking up the Christmas Carols!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(the little boom box is a Bluetooth speaker!!)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40t0kRNPOkeiWqBy1cDcpn_Mpkvx3vvqVBn5Bbi_uMeeGiMbUcaFUCbkF4q9AXM4EbbRwmvqF5NlV37bkk79B5w4fmEgChiQYn6beWIdfzn-5I1xfogVuZFkZv5AxqaeXB6rg3cjLVFnE0taemUrElRvogdQMOC3t0Wyh4PO-2T4Q2cRvI3QuuEtXV9Pn/s1440/IMG_20231129_212223193%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40t0kRNPOkeiWqBy1cDcpn_Mpkvx3vvqVBn5Bbi_uMeeGiMbUcaFUCbkF4q9AXM4EbbRwmvqF5NlV37bkk79B5w4fmEgChiQYn6beWIdfzn-5I1xfogVuZFkZv5AxqaeXB6rg3cjLVFnE0taemUrElRvogdQMOC3t0Wyh4PO-2T4Q2cRvI3QuuEtXV9Pn/s320/IMG_20231129_212223193%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Friday, December 1</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"I've hidden 10 of Santa's glittering gold coins. Can you find them all?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No, George, we didn't find all of them until hours later. It reminded me a little bit of the first year that we had an Easter Egg hunt...and had some missing eggs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also, I realize this looks like George is on the potty. He's not. He's sitting on our Roomba mop, lol</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKkXe0y7I3TNZ9Xl9obKnqP9sB77YvjtGcyReCudBnrCHChx773G6ApuRMdqLu_LCjwLs-E_BzNeOW6yV_p3i0LO1c7ECC2mEc75RMS7bFCdFfbLvelAbOMA8feA0I5hfaUS1TO_tCfEMbbnUgozOu7ZdSQywC8gxJCgrWxOPRwW73pZoIgX-3KV5lNSy/s1440/IMG_20231130_214302228%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKkXe0y7I3TNZ9Xl9obKnqP9sB77YvjtGcyReCudBnrCHChx773G6ApuRMdqLu_LCjwLs-E_BzNeOW6yV_p3i0LO1c7ECC2mEc75RMS7bFCdFfbLvelAbOMA8feA0I5hfaUS1TO_tCfEMbbnUgozOu7ZdSQywC8gxJCgrWxOPRwW73pZoIgX-3KV5lNSy/s320/IMG_20231130_214302228%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Saturday, December 2</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Let's be paleontologists today!" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(the dinosaur dig kit that George brought is going to provide HOURS of "homework" for G -- his words, not mine, lol)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIC9UVxjPQLxOJjPk1FyKp1KQ8LlPKsdnd9iPcRNtNTcTLy71Cj-2jbiaAzLmYCauNL6IjRkq8zGwB8yt92kiAmLM5PK8M_-WMJqprrOUA5KpGfUQz5GoP8rSh8pv9t1ST6dfEpFLKqG09YVPZUQRubHtskxwMi2jNGTX-0TjnrhwjlzpqwTgKHbol5Bb/s1440/IMG_20231202_002956861%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIC9UVxjPQLxOJjPk1FyKp1KQ8LlPKsdnd9iPcRNtNTcTLy71Cj-2jbiaAzLmYCauNL6IjRkq8zGwB8yt92kiAmLM5PK8M_-WMJqprrOUA5KpGfUQz5GoP8rSh8pv9t1ST6dfEpFLKqG09YVPZUQRubHtskxwMi2jNGTX-0TjnrhwjlzpqwTgKHbol5Bb/s320/IMG_20231202_002956861%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Every morning the kids have been so excited to open up their advent calendars. I've been enjoying my morning coffee advent calendar, and my evening cheese advent calendar. Who says kids are the only ones who can enjoy advent calendars?!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4a_Y3WmVCUzOjt69CapdLSgx6LNM-L4h4uMKnib3k1-P0eAry_hxnYLBPfoB_AP0k2LDAdYpDlLcZ4Uvj5xyBFFxV9xuX8Ya-JkJHVwgI-z6uwUxeweGRHJ42GfS9BBeYT-wMkwfKxx3ibqjdEhjXusBeEWZK3G-hc0vi8FMJYXDUv0eDENzy2JyBuBc/s1440/IMG_20231130_192603419_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4a_Y3WmVCUzOjt69CapdLSgx6LNM-L4h4uMKnib3k1-P0eAry_hxnYLBPfoB_AP0k2LDAdYpDlLcZ4Uvj5xyBFFxV9xuX8Ya-JkJHVwgI-z6uwUxeweGRHJ42GfS9BBeYT-wMkwfKxx3ibqjdEhjXusBeEWZK3G-hc0vi8FMJYXDUv0eDENzy2JyBuBc/s320/IMG_20231130_192603419_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC0vGWhkf1imBF8gIinui7-gzQ0mUIRy86BGlTZdgRwDb5rqg1m0j68-y_yVRsn8rfTTzvfVo5Hbt7RqlJb5evK5Y0BVTalSnn6LCetC9uBK-9RoS20lR756LJ-FCnxs3zaEfIG0eXw8FKtScINlHpwEFb8yhSQk8y1cAjVyASp-aI1iLRHmtkaSTAJZA/s1440/IMG_20231201_064024332_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC0vGWhkf1imBF8gIinui7-gzQ0mUIRy86BGlTZdgRwDb5rqg1m0j68-y_yVRsn8rfTTzvfVo5Hbt7RqlJb5evK5Y0BVTalSnn6LCetC9uBK-9RoS20lR756LJ-FCnxs3zaEfIG0eXw8FKtScINlHpwEFb8yhSQk8y1cAjVyASp-aI1iLRHmtkaSTAJZA/s320/IMG_20231201_064024332_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>On Saturday, we built out some custom LEGO ornaments, and G and I got a head start on our Christmas cookie baking (chocolate cookies with peppermint kisses.) On Sunday afternoon, my mom is coming over to help me make fudge, and decorate sugar cookies with the kids. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTAIebp1_uWICUbnzxZbQe-wH4hyphenhyphene0NxC4TmA44IlyH-AUt2f8aBuXFUIwwhIgE2z4hBcBaski58xA4mYNmoRyiULily-rEjdruEdIhNRZekd2xva4GBpi3UhXU-YPhlAkLES7vRvxcMIhU4BMiJCflL5xfpfMr6s2P_x3_BHAMt7mZd3Ht77Fjhw56kG/s1440/IMG_20231202_114845782_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTAIebp1_uWICUbnzxZbQe-wH4hyphenhyphene0NxC4TmA44IlyH-AUt2f8aBuXFUIwwhIgE2z4hBcBaski58xA4mYNmoRyiULily-rEjdruEdIhNRZekd2xva4GBpi3UhXU-YPhlAkLES7vRvxcMIhU4BMiJCflL5xfpfMr6s2P_x3_BHAMt7mZd3Ht77Fjhw56kG/s320/IMG_20231202_114845782_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I even got several gifts wrapped and under the tree (and even mailed out a few.) I have so many more to wrap, so I'm going to try to tackle it every night until it's done. Wish me luck (because I really, really don't like wrapping gifts!)</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-45818286637769513402023-11-26T07:30:00.001-06:002023-11-26T07:30:00.140-06:00Decorating Mental Block<p>I thought it would be wise to start decorating the house on Thanksgiving morning (for Christmas), but I had a real issue taking down pumpkins and the fall-themed decor on Thanksgiving. Not because it's a holiday and I didn't want to work on decorating, but because it felt really off to take it down on the day of the last "fall holiday". So, I made the decision to push it off one day, and do that on Friday morning, and then decorate the tree in the afternoon.</p><p>It's a weird mental block, but I've identified it and can plan better for the future. So, we enjoyed the cozy oranges and golds for one more day, and let the reds and greens take over on Friday! G helped me decorate the house in the morning (outdoor décor is up, minus the lights), and then my mom came over and threaded the ornament hooks, while I distributed the ornaments, and Ava and G put them on the tree. It was a great assembly line that we had going and were able to complete it in just a little over an hour! We have SO many ornaments that I had to recruit our front porch tree to now be the kids' inside Christmas tree on the landing outside of G's door. They picked out their fave ornaments (15 each) and hung them + the leftover candy canes. It's pretty darn cute! We don't have an outlet nearby, so it doesn't have any lights on it, but I think that's ok!</p><p style="text-align: center;">I love our lights...we can choose colors, or warm whites, or a nice transition between them both!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLknT6jhDG6gYHg5kJ74qErfe5FKCtE1GD2wimZ1mI2k61tyfhg99B21n7tuB9DUlh8B5F1BCwiy0KJCKbDPIwvoq1XU446LZi17iBljHma4R5PJ6Lf6e-jiQt_PDrN8s4r-X6SM7YtvzX_pUMhSXZaYE0ACm4kyuxD4eXoH-bGdKnCvggqnyLCFMMX5K/s1440/IMG_20231124_163542661_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLknT6jhDG6gYHg5kJ74qErfe5FKCtE1GD2wimZ1mI2k61tyfhg99B21n7tuB9DUlh8B5F1BCwiy0KJCKbDPIwvoq1XU446LZi17iBljHma4R5PJ6Lf6e-jiQt_PDrN8s4r-X6SM7YtvzX_pUMhSXZaYE0ACm4kyuxD4eXoH-bGdKnCvggqnyLCFMMX5K/s320/IMG_20231124_163542661_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzgTvesCV8be1rKA5DILZ9OEiCOpwENUzT3YIjJ_mcbW6nmshB6DYZkT-YFxklRg_Bx4QQSJcAVMjmQkiLe3gusxTFXxo3dLkHCYy7PogUN_qAn1cyXaATG6pUPh8l2klO3ffIGoi86hCv2QaXYAE70CTSS6OErr85tZ8-EP_2yd_Py1Uq5IespUDqg0e/s1440/IMG_20231124_163549017_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzgTvesCV8be1rKA5DILZ9OEiCOpwENUzT3YIjJ_mcbW6nmshB6DYZkT-YFxklRg_Bx4QQSJcAVMjmQkiLe3gusxTFXxo3dLkHCYy7PogUN_qAn1cyXaATG6pUPh8l2klO3ffIGoi86hCv2QaXYAE70CTSS6OErr85tZ8-EP_2yd_Py1Uq5IespUDqg0e/s320/IMG_20231124_163549017_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kid's tree</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPowndrr8HDcjIuzemHivCHEC1jY5sHKfWBOkLD8BlhB8kClT93puU2SVLLJLrnUrBgLC7rDdmpkUId47t05PXkXQB_Tf-ykk-kbMvNCPfuHf_j7U71woJRdVzOsRLclrKYRgbqV9QLie9NxhMaAjUlBMSS7AOPRkBPbSx4E7HnmQWCh2-ouwqEsO4xLE/s1764/IMG_20231125_100548619%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1764" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPowndrr8HDcjIuzemHivCHEC1jY5sHKfWBOkLD8BlhB8kClT93puU2SVLLJLrnUrBgLC7rDdmpkUId47t05PXkXQB_Tf-ykk-kbMvNCPfuHf_j7U71woJRdVzOsRLclrKYRgbqV9QLie9NxhMaAjUlBMSS7AOPRkBPbSx4E7HnmQWCh2-ouwqEsO4xLE/s320/IMG_20231125_100548619%20(Large).jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>All the Christmas decorating aside...it's been a pretty nice, long holiday weekend. We celebrated Thanksgiving at Deb's house. The four of us, plus Pria, Deb, my parents, and Scott's brother Tim, were in attendance. It was low-key and filled with really wonderful food, and the chance to be thankful for the love we have in our lives.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Thankful for G moving onto his purple belt! He broke boards this week and finished up the last step for his green belt.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnZNbRjf54qhpx_ZpQMyjIWX6MJjBx0NJcx_6cKOpHPxB1NN_peoY75GwgEeBVWN9c9cenwD3dw9U0zzhI8d4opvZeDnXjOGPLpE4Lk-tHvUakPRGhenwgvRYgCZApKciwsiIKvOjiY09eMaIlcyYqRZs7WONHmnKyTZE5NM-nDakDABeGq8xcmm9LF7m/s1440/IMG_20231120_190743292_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnZNbRjf54qhpx_ZpQMyjIWX6MJjBx0NJcx_6cKOpHPxB1NN_peoY75GwgEeBVWN9c9cenwD3dw9U0zzhI8d4opvZeDnXjOGPLpE4Lk-tHvUakPRGhenwgvRYgCZApKciwsiIKvOjiY09eMaIlcyYqRZs7WONHmnKyTZE5NM-nDakDABeGq8xcmm9LF7m/s320/IMG_20231120_190743292_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Scott's started to work on Ava's Pilot, and I'm going to brave a Target run on Saturday afternoon. Ava is going to hang out with Aaron, and G will get to have the run of the house for a bit, while Scott and I go out for dinner at a (new-to-us) restaurant in Lakeville on Saturday night. I wonder what it would take to have four-day weekends, all of the time?? </p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-29617527466277945472023-11-19T07:30:00.001-06:002023-11-19T07:30:00.128-06:00Too Early for Christmas?<p>There's a lot of debate around how early is TOO early to put up Christmas decorations. Our neighbors put up their tree last weekend, and I am a little envious of the glow of lights that I see in their living room from one of our windows.</p><p>It's a lot of work getting the house decorated for the holidays, and frankly, it feels a bit strange to take down the fall-themed décor before Thanksgiving, so I came up with a compromise (with myself...no one else in our house is having opinions about decorating before or after Thanksgiving, lol.)</p><p>I decided to put the tree and tree lights up on Friday this weekend. I'm going to hold on putting out the rest of the holiday décor until after turkey day, and that's when the ornaments will go on the tree, as well. But for now, that means that we get to enjoy the hygge glow of the Christmas tree lights for an extra week. It's so pretty and peaceful to sit in the living room on a dark and cold-ish (it's been nice here lately) evening with the holiday lights casting a warm glow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuG38U1IlZcwR_wGt-Z5Lf4DdYIkQ04BkvNKoIxEFXI9sVZBeGUheiRC2Qwtv7YqO6YaE6BXXBdIsz_vMFLptJfB29c-5Uee9EDE5_UnSMCVacNRrlVbRryk8JRiQoF4cTwgtcusmpILqHYWQQ74XFxdR6vXe-9uIV986Rt69yAE4QFUv-4tkpjmxSZA9/s3307/IMG_20231117_184704984_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3307" data-original-width="2240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuG38U1IlZcwR_wGt-Z5Lf4DdYIkQ04BkvNKoIxEFXI9sVZBeGUheiRC2Qwtv7YqO6YaE6BXXBdIsz_vMFLptJfB29c-5Uee9EDE5_UnSMCVacNRrlVbRryk8JRiQoF4cTwgtcusmpILqHYWQQ74XFxdR6vXe-9uIV986Rt69yAE4QFUv-4tkpjmxSZA9/s320/IMG_20231117_184704984_HDR.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><br /><p>We're keeping the main focus on turkey and being thankful, but I get to have a little bit of the joyous season sneaking into the home!</p><p>Scott's on his third weekend of deer hunting, and then he'll be home for a while. Yahoo! The kids and I have been having fun for the last several weekends, but we miss our chef. I'm clearly not the cook in the family.</p><p>Time to start making a simple dinner and get those Christmas tree lights switched on!</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-55208078497299450812023-11-12T07:30:00.001-06:002023-11-12T07:30:00.138-06:00Driving...!<p>I took Ava for her first driving lesson last Sunday. It was just a slow drive down to our neighborhood community center's parking lot. She drove very carefully down/back from there, and when we were there, we practiced pulling into parking spots, lining up with the curbs, taking turns, etc. She did a great job for her first time out! We're using an app to track the time, as we need to have at least 50 hours of drive time by the time she's ready to take her driver's exam. We want to get closer to 100 hours, so she becomes more comfortable. Not sure I'm ready for this yet. Yikes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cL1soGnUkwYjO9Y3iATmPzM3jeq54HnNcwcxsc6U5sU2QK76hERlVVovLxpSMy7SekZDkkZrVIyjZrBDUz_qd2lUQvmaG9XixsD8xD1C-PKh9h8NbJJtOY2lwqZ2e3hgbzvnYTUQmF5qaw30u0tXXqqFotaxH3UVETm7U4k4JAXvD57Mu9DjqDZnwqg1/s1440/IMG_20231105_140849143_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cL1soGnUkwYjO9Y3iATmPzM3jeq54HnNcwcxsc6U5sU2QK76hERlVVovLxpSMy7SekZDkkZrVIyjZrBDUz_qd2lUQvmaG9XixsD8xD1C-PKh9h8NbJJtOY2lwqZ2e3hgbzvnYTUQmF5qaw30u0tXXqqFotaxH3UVETm7U4k4JAXvD57Mu9DjqDZnwqg1/s320/IMG_20231105_140849143_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Once Scott got back from deer opener (no deer this time), he decided to rake the backyard and enlisted some helpers. Look at the joy on their faces!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYurt77H5J5BDBRcgh6amuepig-R2-Ub8Fo73EXDETU0u4ANO_FMW_DabrhHLLt91oCY_JWsRkAJopU9BUcnpE9xHER_xZIF8-97vlL45AI6kmXL1h2YB4veqM4QLxZAVSz4u8_hDLI48e_l7OXBuAaKxVERsGR3IKUls0RcUPvLgIpCPw3B4FhVvowggc/s1440/IMG_20231105_113346024_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYurt77H5J5BDBRcgh6amuepig-R2-Ub8Fo73EXDETU0u4ANO_FMW_DabrhHLLt91oCY_JWsRkAJopU9BUcnpE9xHER_xZIF8-97vlL45AI6kmXL1h2YB4veqM4QLxZAVSz4u8_hDLI48e_l7OXBuAaKxVERsGR3IKUls0RcUPvLgIpCPw3B4FhVvowggc/s320/IMG_20231105_113346024_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We had our final RHSMB event this past Monday...the end of season banquet. There were over 600 people present, and it was great! I helped with the setup crew, and managed to snag some seats right near the front. It was a bittersweet event as now it's done for the seniors. I enjoyed watching it, but am already dreading it in two years once Ava is a senior. The time is slipping away and I don't know how to cope with that. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Ava and Aaron</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGY2UKtSyH7htmwsgczK3S-zO1GQ5pBdfvIOPfwjWG9kGDoiVNDdcfm0LaSa8TaboClYysKKeuPNy9_zMpiLozrMXXexLWWwwAy1ans09mp1QanB2bd6i0EPxYOqmfbLZFM4GsLLNT3avJNbu-oYgjysw2KFStJ5mdFOdAphlezqEFyfVW_qym1pvFtZe/s1440/IMG_20231106_175811884%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGY2UKtSyH7htmwsgczK3S-zO1GQ5pBdfvIOPfwjWG9kGDoiVNDdcfm0LaSa8TaboClYysKKeuPNy9_zMpiLozrMXXexLWWwwAy1ans09mp1QanB2bd6i0EPxYOqmfbLZFM4GsLLNT3avJNbu-oYgjysw2KFStJ5mdFOdAphlezqEFyfVW_qym1pvFtZe/s320/IMG_20231106_175811884%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Scott's out of town again this weekend for hunting, so I took the kids, and Ava's friend to Target on Friday night. We had fun shopping, and then headed back to our house for pizza and TWO movies. G eventually had to put himself to bed because it was getting so late (and I was snoozing.) But then on Saturday, we decided to watch another movie during/after lunch...lots of movie time for us!</p><p>I'm taking the kids for a Christmas-themed mini-photo session with a local photographer on Saturday afternoon, and then we're going to head to the library and a local coffee shop for some hot chocolate. It's a grey, dreary day here, so those all seem like cozy ways to spend a late afternoon. And, hopefully get some great shots of the kids!</p><p>Wishing Scott lots of luck, but mostly to be safe this weekend!</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-51802660603269241472023-11-05T07:30:00.001-06:002023-11-05T07:30:00.272-06:00Happy Halloween AND #10!<p>Whew, what a weekend! The RHSMB came in 5th overall at the Bands of America Super Regionals, and had their highest score EVER at the event. They did a fantastic job, and ended the season on a high note (hahaha.)</p><p>We also celebrated little G's TENTH birthday on Sunday. We celebrated at home, and then at a bowling alley with 8 of his closest friends, and THEN he went to one of his BFF's house and partook in HIS birthday party there (Isaac and G share the same birthday.) Talk about cake and party overload!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Last night as a 9 year old...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6-MTa_5QydkZzvkEZ-gI-rBHkKVlN-GWvMCWQe5OyhlEOMbx3J1RhAnTuMTKBVo1x0n4a6OmdFxHOBrSVM2fi4_vtinrpTSGxsqck0q5wPF5M3sBjK4kxSPuJCxBWYcimahtOvZnvAUXml85nV8gfYk_W5JpzdBbzmhkeXCjQXbasdt-XZSIc_jAT-cT/s1440/IMG_20231028_211119861_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6-MTa_5QydkZzvkEZ-gI-rBHkKVlN-GWvMCWQe5OyhlEOMbx3J1RhAnTuMTKBVo1x0n4a6OmdFxHOBrSVM2fi4_vtinrpTSGxsqck0q5wPF5M3sBjK4kxSPuJCxBWYcimahtOvZnvAUXml85nV8gfYk_W5JpzdBbzmhkeXCjQXbasdt-XZSIc_jAT-cT/s320/IMG_20231028_211119861_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The big 1-0!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tpUXwCU9oDeMs1M9N3g-0uGThxkdDGCtPZDcwvk85Yhuo0aX8YdkXRWnf9gnLZUugmd0XMSKb9LtT_NbkcnrKhrdZKdZC1uJKLDkgroC3ZhyphenhyphenSk1E4pWnTklBZQieYWNMeK0Dpl-S2eWMW59rjb9wOFk05vcMdND3zPi8EqOaAkzA0Ry5M8u4_U6xsCmN/s1440/IMG_20231029_072524166_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tpUXwCU9oDeMs1M9N3g-0uGThxkdDGCtPZDcwvk85Yhuo0aX8YdkXRWnf9gnLZUugmd0XMSKb9LtT_NbkcnrKhrdZKdZC1uJKLDkgroC3ZhyphenhyphenSk1E4pWnTklBZQieYWNMeK0Dpl-S2eWMW59rjb9wOFk05vcMdND3zPi8EqOaAkzA0Ry5M8u4_U6xsCmN/s320/IMG_20231029_072524166_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFGLzkNaXB2MFahdId9uDIODT_hw5PTqs36I_9SJCAW8UD-blVNUjbQVhjeqcaJbXjGChAwTU7ejvj_R28DWsfqqnbkYKKD1C6SahMgMdfIbuz59gWntXqzFdwB7_BX4Q_i7IcG6aPYXeUzi9_ais_f_MqK_WIDfFg4jXI_Tu53B39Iw1Uv-U-G8-A_6U/s1440/IMG_20231029_084022660%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFGLzkNaXB2MFahdId9uDIODT_hw5PTqs36I_9SJCAW8UD-blVNUjbQVhjeqcaJbXjGChAwTU7ejvj_R28DWsfqqnbkYKKD1C6SahMgMdfIbuz59gWntXqzFdwB7_BX4Q_i7IcG6aPYXeUzi9_ais_f_MqK_WIDfFg4jXI_Tu53B39Iw1Uv-U-G8-A_6U/s320/IMG_20231029_084022660%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loving his Penguin Slushy van gift!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZbZa-kclcX-HOlEg70VOV3x61TzjyEIqpQ8JyozJGGtSK56zYkVXYZgkJQuQf_9ZD6dujQ4gdm_65arifipxqF4N_NA_vIfhPN-obDPMVGR6VZkYs2w9ggxP-V0WBQzNfDeJxNmPS9yGTs3V5orETiPuWSqkZWJTHP5lX9LdcgmCnOmCcEl8MmkrvGo5/s1440/IMG_20231029_191230518_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZbZa-kclcX-HOlEg70VOV3x61TzjyEIqpQ8JyozJGGtSK56zYkVXYZgkJQuQf_9ZD6dujQ4gdm_65arifipxqF4N_NA_vIfhPN-obDPMVGR6VZkYs2w9ggxP-V0WBQzNfDeJxNmPS9yGTs3V5orETiPuWSqkZWJTHP5lX9LdcgmCnOmCcEl8MmkrvGo5/s320/IMG_20231029_191230518_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>In fact, there was so much birthday-ness happening on Sunday, that we decided to carry our small family celebration through to Monday night, when we were all back together for dinner. We sang and ate a very yummy Halloween-themed cake.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVMra5um0pd9ZOxmnToT5ZDKiTO2I-rnzGe4sgDOQvhSZGFyJIfMRuKkTG1LhPwpo-DIX8KMLErSxGlFRQLDdW4jF_XPePcVqVv7dozQCS63ZsdcbTCZL2V-DZdnXZnpiATAENeYcUxzXWYCqCNF3pR2Mt3g-G_Kfez4F202g4PD4uWYnBaIiFWAEY61D/s1440/IMG_20231030_193347976%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVMra5um0pd9ZOxmnToT5ZDKiTO2I-rnzGe4sgDOQvhSZGFyJIfMRuKkTG1LhPwpo-DIX8KMLErSxGlFRQLDdW4jF_XPePcVqVv7dozQCS63ZsdcbTCZL2V-DZdnXZnpiATAENeYcUxzXWYCqCNF3pR2Mt3g-G_Kfez4F202g4PD4uWYnBaIiFWAEY61D/s320/IMG_20231030_193347976%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>The next night was Halloween, and we had a Toxic Waste Hazmat person (??), a sparkly witch, and a pink dino (bonus kid!) We ate a fairly frightening-looking pepperoni pizza (but it tasted good), and then we all went trick-or-treating with the next door neighbors. It was fun and lowkey...and the kids got SO much candy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNh07iV16-ocTC8Jr1aMZ-OLcOOTWL9eKoaqLi623oNGYmMfz1zGeG8GAhKauVeKUDYv3X2ZNtk8-Bt0YQYAnWFUGDLdw90UtnEwDMZdvuRRuPM-6AugfrKgQtif_U60tpSjzf_Gq4gRrKhUdNnSzxKRxySLK1kC-GsYLySHyqT-Lc1PrSOb3YlyQ3OVb6/s1440/IMG_20231031_164829712%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNh07iV16-ocTC8Jr1aMZ-OLcOOTWL9eKoaqLi623oNGYmMfz1zGeG8GAhKauVeKUDYv3X2ZNtk8-Bt0YQYAnWFUGDLdw90UtnEwDMZdvuRRuPM-6AugfrKgQtif_U60tpSjzf_Gq4gRrKhUdNnSzxKRxySLK1kC-GsYLySHyqT-Lc1PrSOb3YlyQ3OVb6/s320/IMG_20231031_164829712%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWM7aXn0GFelHY4YSh1bjxHHNBG_OMmBosaSDE0KySYPubO0p05rOK4VYeQRBcsSjXhLH-pGNWQHstktvah-hbbyI4QG386uMqyOU7ccyjHP1HrQk7bQhyphenhyphenS7B-ql5HtKAExAivgJ6YYIro5y3uayUuZ41Yc6GklpK7D6Ne-reJtA5b3Jvk-P2ugotc4IC/s1440/IMG_20231031_173729391%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWM7aXn0GFelHY4YSh1bjxHHNBG_OMmBosaSDE0KySYPubO0p05rOK4VYeQRBcsSjXhLH-pGNWQHstktvah-hbbyI4QG386uMqyOU7ccyjHP1HrQk7bQhyphenhyphenS7B-ql5HtKAExAivgJ6YYIro5y3uayUuZ41Yc6GklpK7D6Ne-reJtA5b3Jvk-P2ugotc4IC/s320/IMG_20231031_173729391%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi303tIPf8g2-JTEQNdvQ9Pe1xBcDpbla9IM-iSmomfV5Fz4GnErgPatJHtwQO2GSMXYKBP9NGCE2FD8YDA1O1kRBHX3_Nz_4WJe8sVJus3E7M5SoFgq5yWzj0I4hjukqGWIFbbl7e_xgVY5-ug3M0WO3pgqvUOvYJaNbMUoUW02eXD1hW7SCBAQTJUdgU_/s1440/IMG_20231031_174437870_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi303tIPf8g2-JTEQNdvQ9Pe1xBcDpbla9IM-iSmomfV5Fz4GnErgPatJHtwQO2GSMXYKBP9NGCE2FD8YDA1O1kRBHX3_Nz_4WJe8sVJus3E7M5SoFgq5yWzj0I4hjukqGWIFbbl7e_xgVY5-ug3M0WO3pgqvUOvYJaNbMUoUW02eXD1hW7SCBAQTJUdgU_/s320/IMG_20231031_174437870_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6isxBNwEAGD8RBU7e33v50-kgqdA8KE4HdqHFFB6nxwhAgNYomTduwv2zmwb5d8INpM4fAU8lTPXVx9dLsBbJX8uqFJBwsIi85K7x_xckuackv1ZBkidn7jFYerxc0VE4fxvYCdSVXAH0NnTk3I23JxYHePan7LBvhtoYlIflURuwOypLmcXzorQZzhl/s1440/IMG_20231031_174457916_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6isxBNwEAGD8RBU7e33v50-kgqdA8KE4HdqHFFB6nxwhAgNYomTduwv2zmwb5d8INpM4fAU8lTPXVx9dLsBbJX8uqFJBwsIi85K7x_xckuackv1ZBkidn7jFYerxc0VE4fxvYCdSVXAH0NnTk3I23JxYHePan7LBvhtoYlIflURuwOypLmcXzorQZzhl/s320/IMG_20231031_174457916_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JVbDNWOZaqFgEui-tOZfSACDPBF1GdEGu4PYFjUIpD-omk8pIJsKWJF_HpfmHmjQtFR5dHImc8Ikr8slOCUZSTYt353dsa4ialGmpqaGfBPoMbZa4L1Ln00WzF7pRlTkKKMbsBp0gV8dbAdFtosSTp9u7wvka2ot9vzLJbv5j89ken9ZrgaVJHmcU0ms/s1440/IMG_20231031_183233088-EFFECTS%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JVbDNWOZaqFgEui-tOZfSACDPBF1GdEGu4PYFjUIpD-omk8pIJsKWJF_HpfmHmjQtFR5dHImc8Ikr8slOCUZSTYt353dsa4ialGmpqaGfBPoMbZa4L1Ln00WzF7pRlTkKKMbsBp0gV8dbAdFtosSTp9u7wvka2ot9vzLJbv5j89ken9ZrgaVJHmcU0ms/s320/IMG_20231031_183233088-EFFECTS%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The rest of the week was a blur...Scott's up north for deer opener, and on Saturday night, we're all scattering to different locations. I'm going out with a friend to a comedy show, G is going to my parents for a few hours, and Ava is spending the evening with her bf and his family. </p><p>We did enjoy Friday night together watching the Barbie movie and celebrating Ava passing her driver's permit! Woohoo! Now, it's time to buckle down and practice driving on the road. What an adventure that will be!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrJx-Bp5M4h6xgIr_NHUL4ls0MC-IOJAVujfbwwbj-F87qr4zc1GsRxKb41oVVmyQwCyek_FKA-1sD01zWUwncR_h-bXFj9SkKThoBwLRKeKer25VEx8uctm5eYD25S9Cq4BbeBtKknbOIHUF_h6hAfr2rcgr8SQu7a9-pu-aJh3eFegCxqarNIvUoqG7/s1440/IMG_20231103_123953905_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrJx-Bp5M4h6xgIr_NHUL4ls0MC-IOJAVujfbwwbj-F87qr4zc1GsRxKb41oVVmyQwCyek_FKA-1sD01zWUwncR_h-bXFj9SkKThoBwLRKeKer25VEx8uctm5eYD25S9Cq4BbeBtKknbOIHUF_h6hAfr2rcgr8SQu7a9-pu-aJh3eFegCxqarNIvUoqG7/s320/IMG_20231103_123953905_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-27952161881637098092023-10-29T07:30:00.001-05:002023-10-29T07:30:00.147-05:00St Louis Bound!<p>We're officially at the end of the marching band season! The RHSMB left for St Louis on Thursday morning for their final competition - the Bands of America Super Regional! It was a blast dropping Ava off and seeing the 5 motorcoaches head down 3 to pick up the kids, and then to see Big Blue (the semi hauling their pit and large instruments) heading out, as well.</p><p>The kids got to STL safely, and had a great first day on Friday. They rehearsed and performed in prelims at 8:45pm on Friday. The 14 highest scoring bands will move into finals, and those bands should be announced shortly (less than one hour from now!) Can't wait to see if RHSMB moves on up. They had a fantastic performance in prelims, and the parents who are there said they received many compliments - for both the band, and how supportive all of the RHSMB parents are. We love to hear that!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Dropping Ava off at the high school on Thursday morning - look at that smile!</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtJPLSEZXKgv0ow7T0TnrYmyduixTxCKA_i2ogCIkfBdLA2azhy7qnpc-vHpYt8wIawiQx4J_-WGreDW8qzGm-o8Rc66hPMI6ykpcVMxVnVjQGbTkOJdxxKfp-dzrgLARFdsORT3NcZ0M9gkgu9C2M7tnD-fgtWGOE014MQ2qjLo55Qr36mgT_ffpmnRw/s1440/IMG_20231026_075151704%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtJPLSEZXKgv0ow7T0TnrYmyduixTxCKA_i2ogCIkfBdLA2azhy7qnpc-vHpYt8wIawiQx4J_-WGreDW8qzGm-o8Rc66hPMI6ykpcVMxVnVjQGbTkOJdxxKfp-dzrgLARFdsORT3NcZ0M9gkgu9C2M7tnD-fgtWGOE014MQ2qjLo55Qr36mgT_ffpmnRw/s320/IMG_20231026_075151704%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pria misses Ava...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvud_qiQ_Jx71ep_lNZRWI6ZGMfapAmyFl3DGwrsOlWGbpulx7QTk6H5LSgWrUQQB2_c4yrxRck7o1MBtzPoiQldw0Nvh5u_Dh2usMvVYmNLIM9TpFo7sg22QWbX8BolLB_z8az5kPrDAjkYvq36mzTeZQQ_7WJxwUvkbdWcIsMJc85bw3Sb6KgCfBqQkL/s1440/IMG_20231027_214950495%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvud_qiQ_Jx71ep_lNZRWI6ZGMfapAmyFl3DGwrsOlWGbpulx7QTk6H5LSgWrUQQB2_c4yrxRck7o1MBtzPoiQldw0Nvh5u_Dh2usMvVYmNLIM9TpFo7sg22QWbX8BolLB_z8az5kPrDAjkYvq36mzTeZQQ_7WJxwUvkbdWcIsMJc85bw3Sb6KgCfBqQkL/s320/IMG_20231027_214950495%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In other news, the house has been quiet while Ava has been gone, and we've been counting down the days until G's birthday. We have less than 24 hours before he moves out of the single digits, and into #10! We're excited to celebrate him this weekend (and also cheer on Ava from afar!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's not St Louis, but a replica of downtown Rosemount, created by our favorite Lego artist!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0lm0JDj0VMF_H0O15pSMNHKDYv-dFJ6YmeKeJxA5HXKWZMiwTaoYqaIAu-vL2pBtO3ijjX2_W5HQaIPYJB7bQQMJEc-1rZ9Kn1vPzgihPcG758HR61PR_BLTWnKkaen6gLB1j4aqcBYgMNZa636_GkSZNmAtkt5aP-7umsCAidx7zdUGGhsV1QCZ7ACg/s1440/IMG_20231021_183619093_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0lm0JDj0VMF_H0O15pSMNHKDYv-dFJ6YmeKeJxA5HXKWZMiwTaoYqaIAu-vL2pBtO3ijjX2_W5HQaIPYJB7bQQMJEc-1rZ9Kn1vPzgihPcG758HR61PR_BLTWnKkaen6gLB1j4aqcBYgMNZa636_GkSZNmAtkt5aP-7umsCAidx7zdUGGhsV1QCZ7ACg/s320/IMG_20231021_183619093_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><h2><span style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Stay tuned to see what happens next...</span></i></span></h2></div>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-71722845978451717172023-10-22T07:30:00.001-05:002023-10-22T07:30:00.153-05:00Sweet Sixteen<p>Last weekend was the Minnesota state-level competition for high school marching bands. And guess who won state champ for their class?? That's right, Rosemount did! They are the Class AAAA champions due to their outstanding performance in prelims. And in fact, it's the 16th time they have been awarded the State Champions title since they first won it in 2006! The RHSMB advanced to finals, and ended up winning that, as well, so they were the Grand Champions of Youth in Music. They had some really wonderful competition (Sioux Falls Lincoln and Brandon Valley - both South Dakota bands - are fantastic to watch and listen to, plus they have entertaining and thematic shows.) </p><p>My parents, Deb, and I headed to US Bank Stadium on Saturday night to watch finals. It was a super long night, but so much fun to partake in the experience and cheer on our band!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Two of my fave people in this world!</p><p style="text-align: center;">(Deb was sitting just a few rows away from us due to ticket availability at time of purchase)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtG9OctZx5qB3DDXUK8WC9_aRhxnBddLQuvvrehQjmiWyxb6QYktNdExcqpbvGISD1iz_nhrcS5fhDIrjsOF957jbgUpW-3VXpgg1Ugt48nyg6CfK_rkNoQjFmnhO_A7pG2r0WYcWP_lxOEScW5-_aT4wSrDiZbWdmbAVyHlb8dO_L01Wwf1uadI65vi3/s1440/IMG_20231014_192129103%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtG9OctZx5qB3DDXUK8WC9_aRhxnBddLQuvvrehQjmiWyxb6QYktNdExcqpbvGISD1iz_nhrcS5fhDIrjsOF957jbgUpW-3VXpgg1Ugt48nyg6CfK_rkNoQjFmnhO_A7pG2r0WYcWP_lxOEScW5-_aT4wSrDiZbWdmbAVyHlb8dO_L01Wwf1uadI65vi3/s320/IMG_20231014_192129103%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The yellow chairs make it easy for us to spot them in a crowd!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-31MCQk5qHlN6fOg73UcwsmU7lys0sUfEZOlX2EC43G4MMWPYQxN5pkeLQyLZD5Vzi1JHjtQnNc8R957DvVmuLojVhZsXh2mTv23Mv_VleVNopNcGj-v9j9t4ct3SGLvhhu5_uvwFBVXbSqYDfmAQYIvKpuPlH5ktZLTXUGaOeydg6YFmJhLysa8sChjd/s1440/IMG_20231014_211034172%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-31MCQk5qHlN6fOg73UcwsmU7lys0sUfEZOlX2EC43G4MMWPYQxN5pkeLQyLZD5Vzi1JHjtQnNc8R957DvVmuLojVhZsXh2mTv23Mv_VleVNopNcGj-v9j9t4ct3SGLvhhu5_uvwFBVXbSqYDfmAQYIvKpuPlH5ktZLTXUGaOeydg6YFmJhLysa8sChjd/s320/IMG_20231014_211034172%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Both Ava and G had Thursday and Friday off of this week. G stayed home with me, and Ava was at marching band rehearsal for both days. The band has this weekend off, and then next week, they head to St Louis for the BOA Super Regional. We're not going to STL, but we'll be cheering them on from home (and celebrating G's 10th birthday with friends!)</p><p>Scott's up north for the weekend, and we've been very busy at home, getting things cleaned up outside for fall (turns out our pesticide that I spray quarterly does an AMAZING job at keeping the Asian beetles at bay as they're trying to get into our house. I cleaned up 50+ little bug corpses on our front porch today.)</p><p>I'm grateful we have a less active weekend so we can take it easy for a few days before another super busy week starts (PSATs, birthday, rehearsals, STL, etc...lots going on!)</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-59092742720256397652023-10-15T07:30:00.003-05:002023-10-15T07:30:00.224-05:00Sioux Falls + Pumpkins<p>Man, fall is a busy time of year! The RHSMB ended up winning it all at their competition in Des Moines a few weekends ago, and then last weekend, they won big in Sioux Falls! They came in the Grand Champions in both competitions and took home several captions. Today, they are headed to US Bank Stadium for the state level championship. Fingers crossed that the RHSMB does fantastic!</p><p>My mom, G, and I made a mini-vacation and headed to Sioux Falls to cheer them on. SF has a lot to offer and we had fun exploring the city and enjoying the nice, warm weather (until the evening when it got pretty dang cold.)</p><p style="text-align: center;">We stopped at Minnesota's Largest Candy store on the way to SF. It was unlike anything we had seen before!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_oq-z6j6iY1BDwfwWKmV9Zp1j1l4p27nsdqtkeSKlEhwHCYi7ZuagaQN4AYpRsmrbFVrlFxF3hLs4HiXBHteiagSnZzQDcv_uq0h16sEmxuidyUiSCZaeXdAWEEk4fNgHphKUqu4L6WWVN4r-uR8DIf_Hp4otEGfNxbcA85LCEog4ETsjdBGr2x2rooF/s1440/IMG_20231006_112917689%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_oq-z6j6iY1BDwfwWKmV9Zp1j1l4p27nsdqtkeSKlEhwHCYi7ZuagaQN4AYpRsmrbFVrlFxF3hLs4HiXBHteiagSnZzQDcv_uq0h16sEmxuidyUiSCZaeXdAWEEk4fNgHphKUqu4L6WWVN4r-uR8DIf_Hp4otEGfNxbcA85LCEog4ETsjdBGr2x2rooF/s320/IMG_20231006_112917689%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ftVAfMHP67F71ZccUKDq2ISpW4u22UvwG1fHRCZao_gH4Ag2xPpl3d0Ws8-2_bKaWPUhr4TSbpKfOQTsJKOegEjKWMDG1jtFeHs681XGV1p9fC-nOv5EHAriJ2BWHtITOAn-Rt7BIo4pjLbLHDRNBW1hq8JtnWHsrzUBk4gyTgGA6pnf8WPno9BpDYoH/s1440/IMG_20231006_114435118_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ftVAfMHP67F71ZccUKDq2ISpW4u22UvwG1fHRCZao_gH4Ag2xPpl3d0Ws8-2_bKaWPUhr4TSbpKfOQTsJKOegEjKWMDG1jtFeHs681XGV1p9fC-nOv5EHAriJ2BWHtITOAn-Rt7BIo4pjLbLHDRNBW1hq8JtnWHsrzUBk4gyTgGA6pnf8WPno9BpDYoH/s320/IMG_20231006_114435118_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2sdgOhakScr-PZF25qy4ZqqR5nJllbyZPenxdjyAoXSLGchvvwF5Sjxte8F63eS8tFuhIo4GxUNZZ3eLxOg7a1qwEixWKSaRyTpmhoW8Smo9whE-i_0o-5VIyBVUSM55otfim_m7pVdMpLkmQbwtKS_Jl3sLclMQtWfbkCImOkFpvMAF0vohK4RD7_jU/s1440/IMG_20231006_122419928_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2sdgOhakScr-PZF25qy4ZqqR5nJllbyZPenxdjyAoXSLGchvvwF5Sjxte8F63eS8tFuhIo4GxUNZZ3eLxOg7a1qwEixWKSaRyTpmhoW8Smo9whE-i_0o-5VIyBVUSM55otfim_m7pVdMpLkmQbwtKS_Jl3sLclMQtWfbkCImOkFpvMAF0vohK4RD7_jU/s320/IMG_20231006_122419928_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then we visited the Green Giant...can you find G?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jitHzPOP6-8S9faPXKw_mu0axsbNxqbK3uli_QpG0JOAuy_Yt2DbE_UbPPiEwvgJW65v36OE_uGI9Pf84T5RwrDkFCA4KASRDdC9MuMlpja4hloz6jutER85oflj2MvZYBZWtWZpuFmIXlNAC13rhFEboC7PatJv8CZ9IJHQU9FrOwLTboyB2mgjsghU/s1440/IMG_20231006_145157087_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jitHzPOP6-8S9faPXKw_mu0axsbNxqbK3uli_QpG0JOAuy_Yt2DbE_UbPPiEwvgJW65v36OE_uGI9Pf84T5RwrDkFCA4KASRDdC9MuMlpja4hloz6jutER85oflj2MvZYBZWtWZpuFmIXlNAC13rhFEboC7PatJv8CZ9IJHQU9FrOwLTboyB2mgjsghU/s320/IMG_20231006_145157087_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikJcPenODnxda-KrHL2C_hGnqvgS6fn7IQcjgLIbT8QVueN6UuaYcKQQH92tnxqgEqYluN5238jmM9PgXrCMDYzQncYhv9re5vkIGxUotJqzU_R2AD2MLPY3ZPlfOqmmTWZVCViHM1LX6qAm8XvgZMMjWoYrUEmydmuYh-I5ER9UNRXjx2DJZpfMYBmsM/s1440/IMG_20231006_145733826_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikJcPenODnxda-KrHL2C_hGnqvgS6fn7IQcjgLIbT8QVueN6UuaYcKQQH92tnxqgEqYluN5238jmM9PgXrCMDYzQncYhv9re5vkIGxUotJqzU_R2AD2MLPY3ZPlfOqmmTWZVCViHM1LX6qAm8XvgZMMjWoYrUEmydmuYh-I5ER9UNRXjx2DJZpfMYBmsM/s320/IMG_20231006_145733826_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRozHQNfT7Izs5YqdZnWQ0tiSqGxKZ_iB0WLbo8f5uQ-3XQxRB7TocFaP1hy1ZPUoAnLZr7tNJgFTwfNJvTOF34Bq8z1QrI6feyNYAoTspNmWVUf0-RIffVmxY-mHLgp6zs-dpKzfA8AX7TX7UXDl20OCoA2EMrMeorREaL7QrhQGyy5PlkzauaFpwjz5/s1440/IMG_20231006_150600080_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRozHQNfT7Izs5YqdZnWQ0tiSqGxKZ_iB0WLbo8f5uQ-3XQxRB7TocFaP1hy1ZPUoAnLZr7tNJgFTwfNJvTOF34Bq8z1QrI6feyNYAoTspNmWVUf0-RIffVmxY-mHLgp6zs-dpKzfA8AX7TX7UXDl20OCoA2EMrMeorREaL7QrhQGyy5PlkzauaFpwjz5/s320/IMG_20231006_150600080_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wonderful adventure at Falls Park in SF</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKkQ2LH-iBuQ9_l-PHATYdAfQ0P6GbpUWIi9_IO8GPBURU8z3bXtvvujpk0zcH07SGQV_YxbUePgoS_wL55oQqPT8wtW4BYXg83vdyIajlE8dZhXdgfHyVweSZypJ_lAOzb4LHRN_Q9rfcYytrh0MUK6qLg6aLIXUq5zbr0l0nC0ZUV_3ehHLflI4JJAN/s1440/IMG_20231007_110115761_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKkQ2LH-iBuQ9_l-PHATYdAfQ0P6GbpUWIi9_IO8GPBURU8z3bXtvvujpk0zcH07SGQV_YxbUePgoS_wL55oQqPT8wtW4BYXg83vdyIajlE8dZhXdgfHyVweSZypJ_lAOzb4LHRN_Q9rfcYytrh0MUK6qLg6aLIXUq5zbr0l0nC0ZUV_3ehHLflI4JJAN/s320/IMG_20231007_110115761_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSAUc1roUOHlFfZWGa0lfRvbtiFepxZpNyhDvXu4jiOQCaVim3XI2ZtXuQKfk5EYxrfhGY2KGM2hnICUtRw6xv7aVis3blnjXUpPJzL-K09K06wScIuLEN87uYw8plTknDi23VORu3lFIiR8BbNiT1ZffgOL06q4oOEQKmQKIDLpLmA66QHxzAfNuhbjY/s1440/IMG_20231007_110718670%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSAUc1roUOHlFfZWGa0lfRvbtiFepxZpNyhDvXu4jiOQCaVim3XI2ZtXuQKfk5EYxrfhGY2KGM2hnICUtRw6xv7aVis3blnjXUpPJzL-K09K06wScIuLEN87uYw8plTknDi23VORu3lFIiR8BbNiT1ZffgOL06q4oOEQKmQKIDLpLmA66QHxzAfNuhbjY/s320/IMG_20231007_110718670%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJts19tQfhRzpSx-TLhDVu-_bHuGpHIIdN4pkoIN7Yrw8jAL_YT5mr6NstLjbm3kHXcH4WWXFlV5Y9qNjbp4x01IiuX6-86YZREdD_4kX2hJdP6h5Xcr747SGVfMWj0LI475LlT-Kttr5KkjBFjr6YgmX4-kG_oU3ntvkCSv8GgiYg3tXwbqDbeetSAcWA/s1440/IMG_20231007_110828367_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJts19tQfhRzpSx-TLhDVu-_bHuGpHIIdN4pkoIN7Yrw8jAL_YT5mr6NstLjbm3kHXcH4WWXFlV5Y9qNjbp4x01IiuX6-86YZREdD_4kX2hJdP6h5Xcr747SGVfMWj0LI475LlT-Kttr5KkjBFjr6YgmX4-kG_oU3ntvkCSv8GgiYg3tXwbqDbeetSAcWA/s320/IMG_20231007_110828367_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe1t2_2KqcFwHYrcJSKHbMA_Y_DkrxIsqSkS6xAX-rXLNJvl6FI2ZLIiIPZDmlm2OvwzYqegnzr4s9TWN3eOCu0uD-yXeZBrAJ9cZHP9UbFO4CXDDPwd9IsAnZQNAHIMPShMKrEbARsZHbJFIkdZ90KCGCuULGFWC6OAevll03Vw7NX9MQhuqov-av4FF/s1440/IMG_20231007_122137732%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe1t2_2KqcFwHYrcJSKHbMA_Y_DkrxIsqSkS6xAX-rXLNJvl6FI2ZLIiIPZDmlm2OvwzYqegnzr4s9TWN3eOCu0uD-yXeZBrAJ9cZHP9UbFO4CXDDPwd9IsAnZQNAHIMPShMKrEbARsZHbJFIkdZ90KCGCuULGFWC6OAevll03Vw7NX9MQhuqov-av4FF/s320/IMG_20231007_122137732%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We streamed prelims at our hotel, and then headed to the stadium for finals.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvxqkAU3C3Lt7SO2GV3_rIX25MiQRYJWvKTGZu4agfG9Ftdz9m3l6uKhxBMeJDZYOubhDH-PMObTTqwkgPktLZZnHTbMnGP9YuRdyOfE9XpbhVJm8pwW9uyTUYczTch06EobQbUDJrmd8jwfoZ6ApjHzYXpzMiKORDtcTD6SYOhbzQit9gjj98fG8C2jb/s1605/IMG_20231007_165822671%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1605" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvxqkAU3C3Lt7SO2GV3_rIX25MiQRYJWvKTGZu4agfG9Ftdz9m3l6uKhxBMeJDZYOubhDH-PMObTTqwkgPktLZZnHTbMnGP9YuRdyOfE9XpbhVJm8pwW9uyTUYczTch06EobQbUDJrmd8jwfoZ6ApjHzYXpzMiKORDtcTD6SYOhbzQit9gjj98fG8C2jb/s320/IMG_20231007_165822671%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From my stadium seat, I could see the Rosemount trailer! I took that as a good sign :)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo7XSLGziUeO7S-Exe9QB1-5HP4Y4JNTjsJnJSH_N7RIao2pfkRtazeit0pdZ2jInr2JbuX-7h70Lp8VmaUnc-LjiQx2VAsJDd8kNaFuRx6AwRfxr4YOpNYgJFEOhOKi6oUxRUglQgDE4J5VV_GSutlNcEn8QIT6YMRldRfpUGPzhsHwcmDVckFLn-qRG/s1440/IMG_20231007_185258452%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo7XSLGziUeO7S-Exe9QB1-5HP4Y4JNTjsJnJSH_N7RIao2pfkRtazeit0pdZ2jInr2JbuX-7h70Lp8VmaUnc-LjiQx2VAsJDd8kNaFuRx6AwRfxr4YOpNYgJFEOhOKi6oUxRUglQgDE4J5VV_GSutlNcEn8QIT6YMRldRfpUGPzhsHwcmDVckFLn-qRG/s320/IMG_20231007_185258452%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>We squeezed in a fun family trip to the MN Zoo this past weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect and the theme "Seasons" was one of the neatest we have seen in all of the years that we have gone there. It was a great mid-week break from all of the craziness that we're dealing with.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxlCcv79qYvDpjdqWDczzA7smggc36lyC5yFFzF8JleagHS-9e-mLACWc3lFFUm8gQdOIPozXcXG4ZtD_G1GwlDVWlTSTkgAfE7h5W6-uT0hJl2OI9Mk6K025mZXmqhOkdKVLYDh9WaaVK6Vb_DYCVya4Qzeq1ZHNPJ8PnveXs6EfzoSF_RBtd-_QzR_R/s1440/IMG_20231011_185132636%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxlCcv79qYvDpjdqWDczzA7smggc36lyC5yFFzF8JleagHS-9e-mLACWc3lFFUm8gQdOIPozXcXG4ZtD_G1GwlDVWlTSTkgAfE7h5W6-uT0hJl2OI9Mk6K025mZXmqhOkdKVLYDh9WaaVK6Vb_DYCVya4Qzeq1ZHNPJ8PnveXs6EfzoSF_RBtd-_QzR_R/s320/IMG_20231011_185132636%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLn1DwtnNKqJc4FU0xlpYIt_D3b4sLn1SZ102NZUvKwfKTy4zB7UyhAhSkaRg8rGl_oZ8TypE9EOl_GPLh_wXSPheZ3vDBIPf06GU1-C-wc-dd4YoDWP2N5OIl2jkEwHPNI6dlpI94Bhmb67xMmDDfikEondWzJ8Bvhm1WT49YaW_yM-aMzhcX8U11T7y/s1440/IMG_20231011_190454945%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLn1DwtnNKqJc4FU0xlpYIt_D3b4sLn1SZ102NZUvKwfKTy4zB7UyhAhSkaRg8rGl_oZ8TypE9EOl_GPLh_wXSPheZ3vDBIPf06GU1-C-wc-dd4YoDWP2N5OIl2jkEwHPNI6dlpI94Bhmb67xMmDDfikEondWzJ8Bvhm1WT49YaW_yM-aMzhcX8U11T7y/s320/IMG_20231011_190454945%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaN9iUA-IQ4o7SJlYltHj-Cw8y-5xm9VlBPkIAiyNoOX4E2X65kBz8l8jtP8Bmd9QZOtjbaCtsnxZoSyH2D6Ri5YVuYF9MBSPreKmHe9XT__1kiEFFTe9ZXF0ibsYIKImsvrE_5x6gjGS5ZmFSKjWgky82TKx6OKMXKB-J1FzztkEPRuwGcVg73dppw6N/s1440/IMG_20231011_190718588_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaN9iUA-IQ4o7SJlYltHj-Cw8y-5xm9VlBPkIAiyNoOX4E2X65kBz8l8jtP8Bmd9QZOtjbaCtsnxZoSyH2D6Ri5YVuYF9MBSPreKmHe9XT__1kiEFFTe9ZXF0ibsYIKImsvrE_5x6gjGS5ZmFSKjWgky82TKx6OKMXKB-J1FzztkEPRuwGcVg73dppw6N/s320/IMG_20231011_190718588_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ646hXfW6nUCerAHzE3P5wwgtSDHltZy4CO2gykxgVJ_F0dTDtyVB9-GFte8B2BbNk0T07cOEPqY-je6J6cjCQyRcsZRhpZ1TOAkxcJI70Cpn7qnxbLGgwdA7E3phuNwTROZs3OjWcYAVBZ7FcnXqNI3mE4co4VL4lq7ERhHTQE3T1RhyphenhyphenXEd_T20B3NR/s1440/IMG_20231011_191200494%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJ646hXfW6nUCerAHzE3P5wwgtSDHltZy4CO2gykxgVJ_F0dTDtyVB9-GFte8B2BbNk0T07cOEPqY-je6J6cjCQyRcsZRhpZ1TOAkxcJI70Cpn7qnxbLGgwdA7E3phuNwTROZs3OjWcYAVBZ7FcnXqNI3mE4co4VL4lq7ERhHTQE3T1RhyphenhyphenXEd_T20B3NR/s320/IMG_20231011_191200494%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4G7iDdGB_ee0ce7C_irCp3eoLTGAzv7B8S6-H22BWPPfhfejCw5GdSkefR95L4N6Ld0nSVnWzalIV3qX9Rm5P3p9v_RBSoDcPvLDIuXGMBAii_77F-olXhJlNABlX2hIZjuTc0ZJ8UBjzefLUmWU5K6WxA-hgQdwfEmqYjRyQkUw3pCL7p8Y1uPNVR92/s1440/IMG_20231011_191333664_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4G7iDdGB_ee0ce7C_irCp3eoLTGAzv7B8S6-H22BWPPfhfejCw5GdSkefR95L4N6Ld0nSVnWzalIV3qX9Rm5P3p9v_RBSoDcPvLDIuXGMBAii_77F-olXhJlNABlX2hIZjuTc0ZJ8UBjzefLUmWU5K6WxA-hgQdwfEmqYjRyQkUw3pCL7p8Y1uPNVR92/s320/IMG_20231011_191333664_BURST000_COVER%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3mDmVnw1pU9sE0izrrDqmNAvSlNZoAfw-0-6c4TxqfeuDMxT30EFzI6a5UBb4zrYoFvRK98KlP9zJ96Eg4UTitWMBbaATrjjZHKh_Akapk8gAOqUP2InvUrRk6H0Nsu3VIx0Xvdi35Wy35vv9M6rIrukySw67PX6RDBeOe2pkOM4NHvtE_OtfqNlf0hj/s1440/IMG_20231011_191502417%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW3mDmVnw1pU9sE0izrrDqmNAvSlNZoAfw-0-6c4TxqfeuDMxT30EFzI6a5UBb4zrYoFvRK98KlP9zJ96Eg4UTitWMBbaATrjjZHKh_Akapk8gAOqUP2InvUrRk6H0Nsu3VIx0Xvdi35Wy35vv9M6rIrukySw67PX6RDBeOe2pkOM4NHvtE_OtfqNlf0hj/s320/IMG_20231011_191502417%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not pumpkins, but really cool animals hidden in the walking trail trees!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_9lfDOsV1ZfYcqQO6avZnVzr6q1Wt33T1xB5Fw4KLLOSw96jbnCQvt4So0Hz5HrkK4ekcNv8iG84kQJXoDcZYC1q81vT4CL_JokhiHD9Xa7T_b5RbR_a-wQNZ3SCzKGSXL7uG5voTv0xT_Tl8vxY-Rzt_zTt6KRyILd5NCbEMGGRmJu1X2c0inX2X_Ch/s1440/IMG_20231011_191636437%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_9lfDOsV1ZfYcqQO6avZnVzr6q1Wt33T1xB5Fw4KLLOSw96jbnCQvt4So0Hz5HrkK4ekcNv8iG84kQJXoDcZYC1q81vT4CL_JokhiHD9Xa7T_b5RbR_a-wQNZ3SCzKGSXL7uG5voTv0xT_Tl8vxY-Rzt_zTt6KRyILd5NCbEMGGRmJu1X2c0inX2X_Ch/s320/IMG_20231011_191636437%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Uo13KUTWHHVLlHLZnYV5wzgi2e70-5W_ukggd634DdQNOiiMa0-Mpbc7T5jR5USmKQYRDDRARAHTG6EhTc2HzevOAfoWpPeyM0o4nBAJrMMaldhepuFM50sxOl-8DNqySJ91573xQTe7toJJAzcvePKLljV9l0WQD4l9Vwcjne7t42CBSnd0qHiIj30U/s1440/IMG_20231011_191656406%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Uo13KUTWHHVLlHLZnYV5wzgi2e70-5W_ukggd634DdQNOiiMa0-Mpbc7T5jR5USmKQYRDDRARAHTG6EhTc2HzevOAfoWpPeyM0o4nBAJrMMaldhepuFM50sxOl-8DNqySJ91573xQTe7toJJAzcvePKLljV9l0WQD4l9Vwcjne7t42CBSnd0qHiIj30U/s320/IMG_20231011_191656406%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMe7-L6tmU8TEnubEeRqtDeg2TIl-AT2U5ldBGu2AOlxSiSwnITlqX9pbL3OHjvEjJpUVFc-t5P_Gqi2IkIvni7PMwVEQKZIEDk1tSPodf8xe2k3r5pnp4ZSOHBnk9kUnlu1hOwcOkcay7vN_4CU2Tp0PO-z0non6LZowDVuLyYrfXsVJoJCKoEkRdO3i/s1440/IMG_20231011_191928255%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP5JWpN-_RdBaUSnYt16mq5hoXF-omdlvihfGbvVT3hjLTJEzAstLXg6SLl_cVQFOWwt8CW9V_BErSguNFbDzC4E0ABsBCGyv6O8JTAu5YVOK_297wLVFFc-odHCJSpKzjXUG3Ef_QUhU71NpUJN-DsJkBxvBYwwqHxe-maaDmYWkHCG9ySLYqQI29jD4L/s320/IMG_20231011_192505955%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkE1uVik91E7A18Fa8z62_qGAmyuAOltNIDdlPd9dFK6BVlZ0RU3nYFjiw0av8_niTP-G1ZQzRIRAtkyWlFpanGlHGC5CEbl9jdpggNeQ8rVgNJXREKXMj81GOdTQeZNDS_QjBZ09vPOiE0IFFjWDC6ZvnVybMDIzfN4HXwGc1Hdm1xfoNLjdB7uuYcME/s1440/IMG_20231011_192650902%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkE1uVik91E7A18Fa8z62_qGAmyuAOltNIDdlPd9dFK6BVlZ0RU3nYFjiw0av8_niTP-G1ZQzRIRAtkyWlFpanGlHGC5CEbl9jdpggNeQ8rVgNJXREKXMj81GOdTQeZNDS_QjBZ09vPOiE0IFFjWDC6ZvnVybMDIzfN4HXwGc1Hdm1xfoNLjdB7uuYcME/s320/IMG_20231011_192650902%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZBXTkFOu6V3mfUd3Np1TIpL8AB2FqjXPZF4mZ-qPy63MKfuWHdGgIPPUlSansAICF_hhCRMTVkuHVVZNkx_-Qp8qK9LHsqq5Prh5qfE_TBqu4ejFqoK-g6soPiScoV5OnkHszEoYACrtYhQqXTLORBGFri_B4R2BZAGb-6otTFhQc3Cuq5-WL0zqkZzj/s1440/IMG_20231011_193703769_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZBXTkFOu6V3mfUd3Np1TIpL8AB2FqjXPZF4mZ-qPy63MKfuWHdGgIPPUlSansAICF_hhCRMTVkuHVVZNkx_-Qp8qK9LHsqq5Prh5qfE_TBqu4ejFqoK-g6soPiScoV5OnkHszEoYACrtYhQqXTLORBGFri_B4R2BZAGb-6otTFhQc3Cuq5-WL0zqkZzj/s320/IMG_20231011_193703769_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at this guy's face...!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR7vs_7qmrJ4cQn4BgTJHn3_ZpEcji8W29P4_CVxf1wgD2gSPCJ35rqjUIiFvwAzbCH-11Luacpk2s4xyeBy_Ojz2_rR89aJjV_plrVGUK5XWwTIbmWAcgOyJpOaxKNfQezIocx_u-0TFMjSPLfAjh18mK32llyIUqxabds4xmHEnp7EmicPvhV8KN8kM/s1440/IMG_20231011_194044786%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIR7vs_7qmrJ4cQn4BgTJHn3_ZpEcji8W29P4_CVxf1wgD2gSPCJ35rqjUIiFvwAzbCH-11Luacpk2s4xyeBy_Ojz2_rR89aJjV_plrVGUK5XWwTIbmWAcgOyJpOaxKNfQezIocx_u-0TFMjSPLfAjh18mK32llyIUqxabds4xmHEnp7EmicPvhV8KN8kM/s320/IMG_20231011_194044786%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6Jq_40WkoPBRPmHQ1QJbvYzvuDg7xrbjg0Jn3DVrxmzJ8CBFo_FiF3WL_BsiCL9WDkkvSIW1PrujKyJtq1pjn5UhlBVtg8ETPrW6b2payr9hznKSHkOqCSfN20Y4CIT5us09HYpVv-DjbqHOM0vzSdmSXwUaR3lNNq6pco6FPI-0fQ40xU2Ixb9ul4Et/s1440/IMG_20231011_194118912%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6Jq_40WkoPBRPmHQ1QJbvYzvuDg7xrbjg0Jn3DVrxmzJ8CBFo_FiF3WL_BsiCL9WDkkvSIW1PrujKyJtq1pjn5UhlBVtg8ETPrW6b2payr9hznKSHkOqCSfN20Y4CIT5us09HYpVv-DjbqHOM0vzSdmSXwUaR3lNNq6pco6FPI-0fQ40xU2Ixb9ul4Et/s320/IMG_20231011_194118912%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>School is really busy. Work is really busy. LIFE is really busy. But, it's mostly fun, with a lot of hard work thrown in there, and most importantly, this too shall pass. At some point, we'll have a moment to stop and breathe!</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-13880805456032325572023-10-01T07:30:00.001-05:002023-10-01T07:30:00.157-05:00Apple Time!<p>Last Sunday, the family ventured to Fireside Orchard to pick up some yummy crisp apples, and spend a little bit of family time together before another busy week took off. The weather cleared up, and we enjoyed walking around, getting educated about apples by our friend Darren, watching the koi in the pond, smelling the roses, and picking out the first (sage green!) pumpkin of the season. It was a fantastic way to kick off the autumn season.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS6mCGYFBi1slvj42tcbD9gQK4ev3z3Mr6DZ3jZTBajHoWH7JHCPZQK_U6XxngDs_C1D9gisbwDip4ojhnIC-qOi59_jwXX7ZqrvBQzoXAaMpwSRtJiAqbsKx1nJIwAO6grO-sjE_z4MNbpUAIbFmSmXQEk9YEvLwASiIpoBj6U9hUeEZ2082gWK625tO/s1341/IMG_20230924_095405018_BURST000_COVER~2%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1341" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS6mCGYFBi1slvj42tcbD9gQK4ev3z3Mr6DZ3jZTBajHoWH7JHCPZQK_U6XxngDs_C1D9gisbwDip4ojhnIC-qOi59_jwXX7ZqrvBQzoXAaMpwSRtJiAqbsKx1nJIwAO6grO-sjE_z4MNbpUAIbFmSmXQEk9YEvLwASiIpoBj6U9hUeEZ2082gWK625tO/s320/IMG_20230924_095405018_BURST000_COVER~2%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Sunday was also our 18th wedding anniversary. Yay, us! I cannot believe that 18 years ago, we said "I do"... We opted to wait until this weekend to go out for a nice dinner, so we are looking forward to getting away for a few hours this evening. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aY4P6_5mS9UlClSh_c0_u_cHCrdBubobnbIg2IBzPPPxSRVkuckWZzOwnODNbKFRzuWv9IEwsNgEDAiHe0qjGgN9GiVgPAmyZCZXnI7UPLl0GNAGJApUEvl2uWy6Wsi0wq3iQQvVXIASBNGaet5FQA9kGb80VLUhVnMML1VNqfin_qEVJbUWvqP5ZnqR/s1440/IMG_20230924_084051565%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aY4P6_5mS9UlClSh_c0_u_cHCrdBubobnbIg2IBzPPPxSRVkuckWZzOwnODNbKFRzuWv9IEwsNgEDAiHe0qjGgN9GiVgPAmyZCZXnI7UPLl0GNAGJApUEvl2uWy6Wsi0wq3iQQvVXIASBNGaet5FQA9kGb80VLUhVnMML1VNqfin_qEVJbUWvqP5ZnqR/s320/IMG_20230924_084051565%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The band has been busy prepping for a regional competition this weekend. Ava left this morning for Des Moines, and the RHSMB will be performing at a BOA Regional event at 2:45pmCT today (Saturday.) I hope they perform fabulously, and advance to finals!</p><p style="text-align: center;">Drop-off capture!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj_edvaH4_0g0FuTQfWhlfSWk-wbTSt_0ULlgqkI0pclHK6dRryLWHGYuepQ2H69kyEwnB39oWhOikp0jNwJhAi5LhLwEgkGZ9WwNVhkSJlW2AuwZEv4KwSFSk35HvsZIr3d5iNBsZRuO6Xt4nLP8SKNrWGa_9ZNw0BjlWTKmgdgYYY7xl70HICjwhsuY/s1440/IMG_20230930_065010096%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqj_edvaH4_0g0FuTQfWhlfSWk-wbTSt_0ULlgqkI0pclHK6dRryLWHGYuepQ2H69kyEwnB39oWhOikp0jNwJhAi5LhLwEgkGZ9WwNVhkSJlW2AuwZEv4KwSFSk35HvsZIr3d5iNBsZRuO6Xt4nLP8SKNrWGa_9ZNw0BjlWTKmgdgYYY7xl70HICjwhsuY/s320/IMG_20230930_065010096%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">G decided to build either a traffic jam or a train of cars this morning...not sure which!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxR1D4TrTHeJ14pXP2zRdyZeQ5N5utnBVVRLWvqXpPfS0W-6gNxXd-qTIJnMVHctyxE0h_oYQh8rP-21rUCrJ0fKXdCbKGQoWJEUL_jR9Pk2xw7yH3Ng1gqgV13A-OtRytDs_JFUglYQYdS8y-RONGOzyb6btr0p7ccxyugLe_bCfqmKFt_QhbKL4eIc3/s1440/IMG_20230930_091937013%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxR1D4TrTHeJ14pXP2zRdyZeQ5N5utnBVVRLWvqXpPfS0W-6gNxXd-qTIJnMVHctyxE0h_oYQh8rP-21rUCrJ0fKXdCbKGQoWJEUL_jR9Pk2xw7yH3Ng1gqgV13A-OtRytDs_JFUglYQYdS8y-RONGOzyb6btr0p7ccxyugLe_bCfqmKFt_QhbKL4eIc3/s320/IMG_20230930_091937013%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was exhausted from a poor night's sleep on Thursday, so I took a nap on Friday afternoon. When I woke up, I noticed someone was watching me. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsKYvoBVEhGhg7TJ7Lxo83Bey979eDjUR2AwXvDrwuMXUENH-dXs7bPGRRxFvAiczcIHZPDcpbqk4yJ-uCvldO-WWp-BvPwFJC2IHoTDeX7pBFitfC_KMWokMapHzt_yTLnE14h_Y2exCNZrh4237vy4jfMeHYyV29fkaeWcv6crxJYv9q0E3YI2fTci3/s1440/IMG_20230929_155856608_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsKYvoBVEhGhg7TJ7Lxo83Bey979eDjUR2AwXvDrwuMXUENH-dXs7bPGRRxFvAiczcIHZPDcpbqk4yJ-uCvldO-WWp-BvPwFJC2IHoTDeX7pBFitfC_KMWokMapHzt_yTLnE14h_Y2exCNZrh4237vy4jfMeHYyV29fkaeWcv6crxJYv9q0E3YI2fTci3/s320/IMG_20230929_155856608_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>More to come next week on how the rest of the competition shook out. Prayers for safe travels back home for all of the bands!The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-58736182042351138342023-09-24T07:30:00.003-05:002023-09-24T07:30:00.207-05:00Fall Craziness<p>Last Saturday was a very full day with the RHS Marching Band Festival. There were thousands of people who descended on our high school and downtown area. My mom and I put in our shift at the volunteer table, and then we left before all of the really fun stuff started. By watching social media, we were able to keep track of the 22+ bands who played, and then I was able to pick up Ava once things eased up with the parking situation. It seems like it was a really great night, and everyone was impressed with how well our event was managed. Way to go, band parents!</p><p>The rest of the week is a blur with everything that we had scheduled. There was parent orientation at RHS, swimming, dinner with friends, marching band rehearsals, a football game, school, work, etc. It was non-stop! In fact, it was so busy I didn't even take any fun pictures. </p><p>I'm hopeful that the coming week is a little more manageable, and we all get a chance to relax a bit. On Friday night, we were all home for dinner, and we even ended up watching a movie together. It's been a really long time since we've been able to do that, and it was wonderful! Even though Scott and I slept through parts of the movie, we still loved being with our kids, in our cozy home space.</p><p>If the weather holds, we're going to try to visit our friend's apple orchard tomorrow, and quietly celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. More to come on if we are successful!</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8866245530241199385.post-32519780171488407062023-09-17T07:30:00.001-05:002023-09-17T07:30:00.141-05:00Our Friday Night Lights<p>Typically, "Friday Night Lights" refers to high school football, right? Our interaction with stadiums are just a bit different. It's marching band season, so we spend a lot of time in the stadiums where music is the main show. Last Saturday night, the RHSMB took first in their class (AAA) at the Eastview competition. It was their first competition of the season, and removing the weather-induced technical glitches (FYI, electronics and rain don't mix well) the show was great, and the band members were pleased. We had so much fun cheering the kids on!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiENozXcAUxqtaB4I4UbeDhGhJHZRtv1DQPG8VWNa4DyxQRtLedG47J-6gCUY8cAk3YoT_whHztYc67V6D0KTVewL5I-fvV07jTzbq6ktEyKVryxVryLhSH36CRaTEvmNUfrAlaxbbbyvudHStwybM1YSOuKX-ZdD6BEzUmB7QM8FqBQSq-d3nhPz_x2X/s1440/IMG_20230909_211441890_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkiENozXcAUxqtaB4I4UbeDhGhJHZRtv1DQPG8VWNa4DyxQRtLedG47J-6gCUY8cAk3YoT_whHztYc67V6D0KTVewL5I-fvV07jTzbq6ktEyKVryxVryLhSH36CRaTEvmNUfrAlaxbbbyvudHStwybM1YSOuKX-ZdD6BEzUmB7QM8FqBQSq-d3nhPz_x2X/s320/IMG_20230909_211441890_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>And this past Friday, I picked up Ava (and Abby) after their rehearsal ended at 9pm. The steam/fog was rising from the field, and it was a bit cold and damp. It seems that fall (and the spooky season) are right around the corner. This is such a neat time of year, and I'm so grateful that I get to be immersed in one of the best marching band programs in the state (and region, to be honest.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33LpSRrxs0Bazy3dfUiGIlmP-dqN0magpIWkbCb3KW8EQxzuE-g4GUlWlk0zbnSaVNDd4on2ADXtAbyxKBq4L3ycCh2S2nK_QAYQGxpycPmnWuJhjyooIzscW8M3yAaqaLGFybQ-08mdpSQ9855elzFDYriOD4GHVxxoddQkZQeQSMWHL8JPE1rMmPdr7/s1440/IMG_20230915_204918450_HDR%20(Large).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33LpSRrxs0Bazy3dfUiGIlmP-dqN0magpIWkbCb3KW8EQxzuE-g4GUlWlk0zbnSaVNDd4on2ADXtAbyxKBq4L3ycCh2S2nK_QAYQGxpycPmnWuJhjyooIzscW8M3yAaqaLGFybQ-08mdpSQ9855elzFDYriOD4GHVxxoddQkZQeQSMWHL8JPE1rMmPdr7/s320/IMG_20230915_204918450_HDR%20(Large).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>RHS also hosted a huge marching band festival today, so I used some VTO on Friday to help prepare, and then my mom and I spent several hours there getting things ready to go for the festival. I was not able to see the bands compete, but I'm looking forward to hearing from Ava about her impressions of the event.</p><p>In non-marching band news, G had his 2nd sleepover with a friend on Friday night (he had so much fun) and Scott and I went out for dinner, and randomly met up with some new friends. We were invited to hang out with two different couples (all because their kids know G!) It's been a long time since we've hung out with other couples on a regular basis, so I hope we're able to make it work and get together with them soon.</p><p>We were both incredibly busy with work this week, as well, and while we usually can relax a little bit on the weekends, I don't think that's in the cards for us this time around. Oh well! There's always next weekend!</p>The Goershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16044716432902193739noreply@blogger.com0