Go, Go, Goers!

I didn't take any pics of the kids this week...that's weird. Or was our week so uneventful that nothing was exciting enough to capture? That doesn't happen very often, so I will take that downtime and be happy! We've been busy winterizing the house and lawn for the incoming cooler weather (I saw snowflakes in the near-term forecast). We planted a pretty pink rosebush this summer, which did really well. And then one of our big black planters blew over onto it during a particularly windy evening a month ago. It bent the plant a bit (and then it happened AGAIN), so we'll have to see how it comes back next year. I lightly pruned it today and, in the process, saved some beautiful roses. The evenings were mild this past week, and the moon was super bright. This is my root-bound chive plant. I have never, ever had chives that grew so much! Scott headed south for the first weekend of hunting. The kids and I have spent lots of time together, and Ava found a recipe for us to ...

It's that time of year again...G's birthday kicks off the holiday season in our house! We celebrated our little boy's 12th birthday this past Wednesday. I cannot believe he's almost a teen! It was a school day, so relatively low-key during the day, but at night, we had G's dinner choice (mac & cheese, and spooky chicken nuggies), a cookie cake, opened gifts, and then carved pumpkins! G doesn't like getting his hands in the pumpkin guts, so G drew the design on his pumpkin, and then Scott did the rest of the work. Snuggling with Pria Last photo as an 11-year-old Happy 12th Birthday, G! Look at those blue teeth! HAHA! Ewww... He does not like the pumpkin guts Arya's simple face pumpkin G's Greg Heffley The HBD sign was wonky, but the sentiment was there! I took Thursday off from work to hang out with G (Arya was in school), and we had a super busy day. We got his haircut, picked up a few cookies at Crumbl, went to his 12-year well-child visit, got Cari...

Ooof. Arya's high school marching band career is officially over. The four years felt incredibly long while we were at the height of each season (July - October), but they flew by so quickly. On Saturday, October 12, my mom, Deb, and I headed to downtown Minneapolis to watch the RHSMB compete in Youth in Music (the MN state championship). They won Class 4A and went on to win the grand champion (1st place in finals). They are an 18-time state champion! We also found a new place to park, which made the in/out of Mpls a million times easier. I even beat Arya home this year! Coming onto the field for finals The following Monday was the final (Minnesota-based) rehearsal of the season. The RHS stands were packed, and the senior run-through was amazing. I'm so proud of these two trumpet players (Arya and Aaron.) They did great! One final MN message from the directors to the kids  The following weekend, my mom and I traveled to St Louis, MO, for a BOA Super Regional. Sixty-five bands f...