November 2011

Here's November's Happenings:
We started by E having another one of her fundraising breakfasts at Applebee's. She just might have a future as a waitress!

The next weekend was spent at our local Tree Lighting Ceremony. There was music, a huge tree, and Santa pulled up in a Hummer Limo!

That Sunday, E was asked to be the lead in a small skit. She did great learning her lines quickly, despite her auditions she had going on at the same time. I was even asked to play a small role, so we were able to do this one together.

While we were at the Tree Lighting, we scored some free passes to the preview of 'Arthur Christmas'. T took M and his best bud, S for the morning, while E had a school thing, and I took B to a birthday party. They had fun hanging out with just the boys.

That same day, we headed out to our town's Star Lighting Festival. There are a ton of booths, mostly churches, a live nativity, free cookies and finally the big lighting. It was pretty cold so we didn't stay long this year. We got our annual Arby's and watched them light the star from on top of a hill. It isn't Christmas till the star is lit!

Believe it or not, this month's holiday was Thanksgiving, not Christmas. B started the celebrating with a school Thanksgiving lunch and program.

Our family's tradition is to do a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, the night before the real one. We have all the food from the show, then watch it on DVD. It is an easy dinner, before the big one, and sets the right tone for our Thanksgiving celebration.

For the Thanksgiving feast, we went to my parent's house this year. It was quiet with only our family and Nanna and Grandpa, but it was delicious! My mom went all out and even made everything dairy-free so that M and I could eat all the food. Yummy!

B has what is called Chapel at her school. It was her class's turn to provide the skit for it. They acted out the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace. They all did a great job. It was hard not to think she was so cute in that furnace, peeping out!

The final big event for November was that M got his Life award. This is a huge accomplishment and he has worked so hard for it. Now we are on to his Eagle project and the final step in scouting for him.

It was a wonderfully, busy month again. I am truly thankful for the many blessings we have: a wonderful family, great friends, a good community and a strong faith.