November

 Happy November!

Rooke and I went for bubble tea to celebrate finishing his college applications by the November 1 deadline - whew!

Speaking of college . . . Gretchen joined two friends on a fun trip to check out Samford.  A little ahead of ourselves?  Maybe.  But a fun trip invite we just couldn't pass up.

Bridgette loved her fall AAU basketball season.  The team improved a ton and barely lost by one in overtime at their final game

More basketball!  Thanks to VetTix, Bridgette and I got to cheer on the Maryland women in one of their early home games

Getting high fives from the players after the game =)

And . . . MORE basketball!  Rooke's Senior season - Go #22!

He made it =)

I chaperoned our co-op's seventh and eighth grade trip to Philadelphia - it was a full, fun day of middle school shenanigans

Grammy Deb and G Daddy stopped for a short visit on their way home from a road trip.  It was great to have them stay with us!  They got one night with the kids while Ryan and I went overnight to enjoy a concert near Lancaster and some time away.

Bridgette worked diligently and was determined to pass her violin exam before the Christmas break.  She leveled up!!  I've learned so much from her progress in playing the violin; it's a very challenging instrument and her teacher has high standards, so we are super proud of Bridgette's efforts!

a celebration treat drink - for both of us =)

Rooke volunteers at a local garden one day a week.  He helps weed, plant, harvest, build garden beds, and whatever other tasks they need extra hands for.  The food grown is donated to local food banks and shelters.  We've never actually been there with him, but this photo was on the school page, highlighting the work that he and other students do to help at the garden.

a few outtakes and extra photos from our attempts to get a family Christmas photo 

Happy Thanksgiving!  We spent the afternoon at Steve and Vallerie's house enjoying a delicious meal and lovely fellowship.  

Day-After-Thanksgiving tradition: cinnamon roll waffles, watch Elf, put up Christmas decorations.  We're ready for December!

October

 

Gretchen went to her school homecoming with a fun group of girls!  

Big Daddy came for a visit!  He's wonderful at helping with ALL the things while staying with us, but this was a first: helping Rooke fill out his college application for the University of Oklahoma! 

While Ryan was gone on Reserve duty, I made some living room changes.  Ryan wasn't super thrilled with me changing the furniture while he was gone, but I snapped this photo to document my good decision: the new-to-us used sectional sofa is big enough for our large people and loved by all =)

Happy Birthday weekend!  We had planned to go camping, but the weather deterred our plans.  We made the best of the weekend starting with a family dinner an Irish Pub.  We went apple picking, which is Ryan's favorite fall activity.  And we got to celebrate Ryan's actual birthday with Steve and Vallerie!

She's doing a great job learning how to drive!

Bridgette got to spend a day shadowing at Gretchen's school.  She has several friends already going to school there, so it was a fun day for her!

Sometimes I just text Rooke a photo of the food I've made so he remembers how much he loves me =)

I got to spend a day with friends, taking a beautiful drive through Amish country, picnicking in the lovely fall weather, and shopping at the outlets.  

Happy Halloween!  We hosted our party again.  I didn't take any photos - again.  But we came up with a last minute costume idea:  ask someone under the age of 20 if you don't know =)

Bridgette and her friends wore character onesies.  Gretchen and her friends dressed up as Disney villains, but I don't have any photos - ah!  (Gretchen was Ursula)