19 November

 Right Now.....

the first snow and snowman has come and gone.  Winter is upon us, it's cold and dark.  It's funny how I act surprised when it sneaks up on us every year....but every year it does happen.

 this kid is kicking total butt in her inclusive class.  she just recently finished a 4 page story filled with emotion about a butterfly in a tornado. 

 meet Bob.

 At least we're not in buffalo.  I can't imagine.

 this boy is super excited, however.  He loves winter and snow and everything. 

 Last Friday L and J took  (her idea) them to the mall to ride the merry go round and see the Christmas train set up.  They were in heaven.

 All weekend he worked on a fort in our back woods, It is now complete with walls and a kitchen and stick weapon storage.  Getting to use the saw was his favorite.

 T totally rocked his first swim meet of the season.  OMG these things can be long. Subscribed to Next issue for the iPad which helps (love magazines)

I replaced my desktop computer last week and it is still a work in progress getting everything transferred over.  We are loving the MS office subscription service (office 365) with added storage on a cloud drive.Oh and this post totally cracked me up.  Love the 80s

 He loves his splash of  Chai tea and warm milk with cinnamon (calls it cinnamon milk), complete with multiplication.  He has a new found love for math now that they are doing something new and challenging.  He is either all in with great passion or he refuses to do it.  This time we are all in.

and a little angel brought me two containers bowls of homemade soup this week because she thought "I could use it"  So sweet! (what would I do without her!)  So nice to come home and have hot lunch already prepared, with tea for these cold early winter days :)  It is a crazy week with J traveling and 2 nights of lacrosse and teacher conferences and girl scouts and swimming and work and laundry!)  Life is full (and good!).  So looking forward to gathering with family and  the start of the holiday season next week! 

14 November

{this moment.}

On veterans Day

{circa 2005}

Thank you doesn't seem like enough.  We're so proud of the sacrifices you make so we can be free. 

We're so proud that that even when it's hard,  so hard to miss things, you know you are right where you are supposed to be.....so hard to miss things and you go any way.  We're so proud of the one's at home handling it all, and missing you.  Hurry home soldier!  We love you :)

9 November

The weekend lens.....

Saturday, we went to a play.....BIG NATE!  Super fun, funny and just something different......I can see us doing more of this.  Big kids.  The rest of the weekend was filled with getting ready for winter, cleaning up leaves.....moving pellets.  T beating me at chess (again!).  Fun made up games.  Bringing out the inside crafts and games.  Weaving.  Cleaning up, and nesting. Watching five Blacklist episodes.   Feeling caught up by the end of the weekend.  November weekends at home are the best. 

7 November

{This Moment}.

3 November

Last Day in the big Apple.....

 The day we left was the best weather day....of course!

 Central Park was my favorite....next time the bucket list includes going to the zoo and for a run around this lake.

 Next time the bucket list will include a show (Got to save up for that one!)

We couldn't resist taking our girl for her very first shopping experience on 5th avenue.  Of course she's always fine with just looking even though she always says "YEAH,  Let's get it!"   Daddy snuck back into the store later and picked up a few XMAS presents on her wish list....shhh, don't tell :)

 Christmas lights were already up. The trees looked amazing. Twinkle squared.

 I caught a glimpse of the Today show  I can't believe they just let you walk right by, so cool.

 There was a line outside the rainbow room to get into the Tonight Show.  That's on our bucket list for next time.

WE saw some cool art, a giant metal balloon dog.  In Rockefeller Center.

 Walked by, but did not go in.....

 they got used to the street rules like knowing when to cross and where to walk.

 This place just amazes me, the buildings, the people.  In Awe the whole time.

Skating in Rockefeller Center is on the bucket list for next time....

 And Maybe going to the top too.

And last, but not least, the LEGO store.  Lots of wish list "building" here (and maybe a little crying about having a limited budget.....)  Then we were off, to a 7 hour drive home in lots of traffic.  These memories are tucked away in the happy vault.  :) Until Next time...NEW York.

2 November

Marathon Sunday.....it was too cold and windy to try to catch a glimpse of runners along the course for us, but we caught it all on TV.  J got up at 4:30 to get to Staten Island.  his feet were frozen for the first mile.  Hardest one he's done.  i guess it;s like childbirth.  You forget the pain and do it again.

We spent most of the day doing this.

 and this.....

 and this.....

 and this..... We tried heading out for a walk, but it was a no go for the girl with the wind.  WE quickly headed back to the hotel.

 He was grateful for the DD sponsor

 and the hats....

and getting to be in the first wave of runners.  Tonight, we headed out for am earlier dinner and rehydration close by (really close by) and then for some NY cheesecake.

 They were so proud.

And that my friends, concludes the week in our life.  To see all the posts keep clicking on Older posts at the bottom.  I'm so happy I decided to play along, so happy I got the pictures I got, so happy for the magnitude of what we accomplish and how we struggle and grow in a week.  So Thankful for this life, all of it.