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11/30/2015

November

Almost caught up!
 Dustin was released at the end of October, so the very beginning of November, we started attending our new Ward. Sadie's Primary teacher gave her a gift that she brings with her to church every week. Everyone is doing really well in the new Ward and making friends. It helped that we stayed in the Stake.

 I started preparing for Christmas! I like to be done with my shopping by Thanksgiving. It doesn't happen that way 100%, but I'm usually pretty ready for Christmas by then. We sent little gifts in for all the teachers to count down the end of school.

 I flew out to Colorado to watch my nieces while baby Bitsy had surgery. We had lots of fun until I caught their stomach flu and spent my last night there throwing up.

 Ellie broke in the sleep-over room (aka the guest suite) for Veteran's Day.

 Nate went shopping with all of his birthday money. This picture makes me sad because he looks so grown up.

 And then I see this picture and laugh. He's now an 11 year old scout, and I bought his shirt big, but I swear he better not ever outgrow this thing!

 A much needed brunch date with friends. It seems like we are all so busy these days that we don't get to see each other as much as we would like.

 Saturday play dates while the parents try to make it to all the siblings' games.

 More house projects checked off!

 The start of cheer season. Sadie and her friend Alexa were the only two cheerleaders to stay for the second basketball game one week. It was so cute to watch them take charge and then do a half time cheer just the two of them!

 We watched our friends' 2 year old for a weekend while they went to a Utah football game. We had so much and she was such a good baby. Unfortunately we needed something warm for her to wear to the Stake Fair ;)

 Here's what I actually did one week.

 Nate discovered there is SALAD PIZZA! His mind was blown. He hates cheese, so he usually hates pizza. But he loves salad. . . and so. . . total happiness!

 Nate's team -- football champions once again. I was so proud of these boys as it was their first season in an older age bracket. They really stepped it up!

 Ellie does really entertaining things when she babysits.

My girlfriend threw me a surprise party for my birthday. We played Capture the Flag and about half an hour in, I did something to my Achilles which put me out from running for a month. So sad, but still such a fun birthday.

Luke started writing his Christmas list. I told him I was doing shopping so he'd better stop writing lists.
 1. Ice Cream machine 2. Lego Star Wars 3. Coupon 4. Movies 5. DVD. 6. A toy light saber 7. A nice goodie 8 A toy storm trooper

 Ellie made dessert for my birthday. She researched recipes on Pinterest. It was ridiculously good. It was chocolate chip cookies layered with brownies and then more chocolate chip cookies and topped off with sea salt caramel ice cream. I love how helpful and independent she is becoming.

 I was barely off of crutches by Thanksgiving, so I spent a lot of the day on the couch with my foot up.

We bought our turkey from the Ward turkey pit, which the Young Men and Women put on as a fundraiser. That means Ellie cooked our turkey!



 We had lots of friends over, so tables were everywhere in the house.
 

 The kids put on their usual Thanksgiving play. I will say this was not our best year yet.

The dads took all the kids to play football while we chatted and cleaned up and then home for PIE!



We also convinced the dads that it was their year for Black Friday shopping and talked them into taking Ellie and Kyla along for the ride. 
 Ellie told me that the dads were way more fun than the moms.

The day after Thanksgiving is always my favorite day as we put up Christmas!

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