Other November Stuff

Hannah's kindergarten class put on a Christmas pageant.  Hannah was a sheep. They performed it at a nursing home on a field trip, and then for the students and parents at school.  If you really want to see the whole thing, I think this link will work.  Another parent filmed it at the nursing home.  But here's just a short clip of Hannah singing her solo.

the sheep, donkey, camel, and cow

Hannah is just finishing up her first experience playing basketball.  She played with Jump Start Sports at the rec center.  The head teacher/coach did a great job teaching the kids the very basics, but also teaching them terminology and the rules of the game.  I wouldn't say basketball is Hannah's new favorite sport, but she did enjoy it.  

Micah is also playing basketball.  He is playing on a 3rd and 4th grade team with Tallmadge's youth league.  His coaches are very organized (the key to my heart) and doing a great job with the kids.  His team has won both their games so far and have two more games this weekend.

He's one of the smaller kids out there, but he doesn't seem to be bothered by it.

We got a little bit of snow!  

Thanksgiving in D.C.

We drove to Alexandria for Thanksgiving this year to see the Kollers and Nana and Papa.  Besides delicious food, fun games, and playing with cousins, we also ventured into the city twice for some sight-seeing.  We had great weather for walking around and smaller crowds because of the holiday.

Matthew's different poses in this series of pictures gave Micah and I a case of the giggles.

Oh, here's another one.

Uncle Jack was great at explaining things for the kids (and me) to understand.

Micah had just finished a unit on government at school, so he was particularly interested in the monuments and White House.

Korean War Memorial

He looks serious in this picture, but he LOVED his "buddy Caroline".

coffee/hot cocoa break

at the White House visitor center

in front of the White House

coloring and watching the parade

San Antonio

Scott stumbled across some very reasonably priced tickets to a Notre Dame game in San Antonio.  With his frequent flier miles and hotel points, he was able to convince me that this would be an inexpensive way to see a game and have a fun little get-away.  (It didn't take much convincing.)  Scott parents graciously agreed to come here to watch the kids.  (They didn't take much convincing either.)  

There were football fans, parades, and fun everywhere we went downtown.  It was like South Bend had taken over the town for the day.

We took a boat ride along the riverwalk.  The woman sitting next to us actually lives just a few miles from us in Ohio!

the Alamo

I made Scott watch the whole half-time show with me.

The weather was beautiful, and Notre Dame won easily.  Although it was short, it was so refreshing to have time for just the two of us.

The kids appear to have survived their weekend as well. :) 

apparently we strike weird poses for pictures now.

supporting the team from home with their Irish gear

November Miscellaneous

Here is a video Scott took of Micah and Hannah going off the swings into the leaves.  They worked on making that pile for a really long time!

These pictures are from a silent auction fundraiser for a ministry we support called First Glance. The theme was the "Roaring 20's".

We took advantage of one of Hannah's half-days to enjoy the warm weather at the zoo.

real penguins...

...fake penguins

real bear....

...fake bear

 And here are two pictures of the Oyster kids, just because.

Thanksgiving Feast

Last week Hannah's class had their annual Thanksgiving Feast.  The kindergartners dressed as Native Americans.  They were paired with 5th and 6th grade Pilgrim buddies.  Hannah's buddies were so sweet with her - helping her with food and games and asking her questions to get her talking.

tug-of-war with Mr. Smith and Mr. Lee

I love this one - taken by a parent who is a photographer