Go, Go, Goers!

It's snowing! It shouldn't be a surprise since it's late November in Minnesota, but it did take its sweet time getting here this year. I have heard rumblings that it's going to be an extra-cold, snowy winter, so chances are we'll all feel differently about the snow next March. Ask me then! We've had a lovely few weeks, soaking in the slower pace of life. Movies, family time, hanging out with friends...it's really a beautiful time of year! Arya kindly accompanied me to see Wicked: For Good...loved it so much! My neighbor/friend, Kristin, and I arranged our holiday spruce tips pots at a local nursery/shop. It was so much fun, and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year! I went with a Northwoods theme...there's a little gnome peering out in the middle of the plants Deb hosted us, my parents, and Scott's brother for Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful afternoon spent with family, enjoying the seriously delicious food! Pria snuggled right into Ye...

It's official, the RHSMB has wrapped up for Arya. Her final banquet was held this past Monday night in St Paul. My mom and I went early to help decorate (the centerpieces were bowler hats!), and the event was lovely. Heartfelt speeches, funny awards voted on by the kids, senior memories, senior sendoff, and one final chance to celebrate as a group. There were just under 500 people in attendance - a large ballroom full of joy! The two senior trumpets - last ones standing! They both ended up winning a bowler hat from the centerpieces! Love these senior banners! Arya's lovely rose from the banquet, paired with the last of the roses from our yard Scott had a good hunting weekend (but didn't get a deer), and we also had fun at home. The kids and I spent all day together, then Arya left for a sleepover and ended up going to River Falls with friends on Sunday. It's feeling more and more real that she'll be leaving in less than a year. Scott headed south again this weekend,...

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...