Gorgeous

We've had some truly spectacular sunsets and views this month- remarkable enough that I took a picture... even though the pictures never do it justice...

November in Pictures

 I think the overwhelming majority of my pictures this month are just random things, not worthy of a separate post at all....

I got handy and built this rolling platform for the box grader:

It weighs 300+ lbs and is nigh impossible to move when it's not on the tractor... but now moving it around is a breeze 😎

This kid just makes me laugh sometimes...

He put on this mask and batting helmet and then just casually sat in the family room reading until I noticed it 😊  I love it!

 All of Sandy and Perry's family was home at Thanksgiving, so we had Thankgiving at their house (along with 40+ people)... But as usual, I didn't get pictures *sigh*

Hailee wearing her toga:

That hair!

When we're out and about, people constantly comment on Hailee's hair, it IS pretty amazing 😊

On a whim Thanksgiving morning, I asked Hailee if she wanted me to make her hair straight, she shrugged her shoulders and said, "sure!"  As if it was no big deal...

I don't think she remembers the last time I did it... or how long it takes!!  I 

The 'highly voluminous' result of blow drying her hair:

Half way done!

 End result:

She really was very patient... and loved that she had a captive audience in me to go on and on about 'Hailee-land' for such a long time 😍

Visitors

Nathan and I had kicked around the idea of putting a fireplace or some kind of heater in our bedroom for quite a while because our room gets so cold!  One Sunday morning at the end of October, Nathan made the comment that he should just fly his dad out to help him do it.  I said that there was no way we'd have only his dad come without his mom, and, well, if they were coming out, they may as well get the mudroom addition knocked out too.  It was more of a joke than anything, but then, I looked at airfare after church... and schedules... and truly the only time that would work was less than two weeks away...  So I cleared it with mom and dad, let Christi know to come on up and booked the tickets!  Spontaneity can be so fun!

As usual, I got ZERO photographic evidence of their visit... I think I did the same thing the last time they came in November.  Ugh.  Regardless, they got the mudroom framed out, electrical done, drywall up and door moved... not that you can see it too well from this picture...

And an amazing fireplace functioning in our bedroom...

We still have to do the rock and trim on it, but it puts out heat without looking amazing 😉

Christi and her kids came up for a few days, which was super fun...

Just like last year, we got a freak snowstorm at the beginning of November when mom and dad were in town!  We're thinking we shouldn't have them come the beginning of November anymore!?!

Jace ended up rupturing his ear while they were here, poor buddy... so he was kinda down for a few days...

Since Papa is an Army Veteran, we went to the Veterans Day assembly at Freeman.  All the kids were there K-12... Bryson performed in the high school band...

Jace and the first graders sang "You're a Grand Old Flag":

It was such a moving assembly, I was in tears more than once.  What a wonderful country we live in, and how thankful I am for those who sacrificed to protect our freedoms.

After the assembly, all the kids lined up and made a 'tunnel' for the Veterans to walk through, so cute 😂

Papa carried Jace out with him 💕

It was so wonderful having Grandma and Papa here for 10 days!  Papa ended up giving Bryson his patriarchal blessing, which was such a neat experience for Bryson and Papa (and us!).  We loved visiting and wish they only lived closer and could come sooner 💗

Dry Ice Fun

I had gotten some dry ice for the kids Halloween party at school, and Dallin needed some for a merit badge he was working on, so we had a little fun with it!  I found a cool trick online where you put the dry ice in a bowl of water and then use a shoe lace soaked in soapy water to create a bubble over the top of the bowl...

The steam (or whatever it is coming off the dry ice) builds up inside the bubble - it's sooo cool to watch!

Jace was highly impressed:

We also made homemade root beer with it, exciting AND delicious!

Other October...

Hailee has decided to embark upon her music composing career- this is her {as yet} untitled first piece...

Boys being boys...

Kristi sent some hand-me-down costumes from Matt for my kids... um, I'm the size of a 10 year old boy... 😕

Eli earned the pace award for responsibility- yes, we were rather shocked.

It's not that Eli is irresponsible per se, he just likes to have fun and then gets distracted, even if it IS the fifth time he was sent upstairs to brush his teeth...  Regardless, it's good to know he is a conscientious when not at home 😉

Ate lunch at school with some of my favorite kids!

Hailee and I went to go see Mary Poppins- SUCH an amazing performance- we both loved it!

Papa came one day and had a little project he was working on in the basement- he had all his stuff set up to work...

and then he acquired a little shadow...

Jace sure loves his Papa!

Our school had it's annual Harvest Hoe Down-

Carter and Eli (or is it Bob and Billy?) 😆