Haircuts

We finally did it - the kids got their first haircuts! Bonnie at 5 years old just needed a trim. She has such beautiful waves, and still some ringlets at the ends so I was afraid of cutting too much off. It ended up being about 2-3 inches it looks much healthier.  

Before:

After:

Riser also has the most wonderful curls. But in the last month he has been referred to as a girl more often than not. Even Santa last night told him to 'be a good girl this year.' Not to mention he hates getting his hair brushed and does not like when his hair gets in his face. So it was time! 

Before:

He actually did much better for me sitting still during the cut than I anticipated, but definitely got antsy toward the end.

After:

It is still very curly which I am so thankful for. They both look and feel great!

Thanksgiving

This year we went up to my mom and Dave's house for Thanksgiving. Their neighbor, Mary, put the kids to work straight away collecting all the spikey sweet gum balls from her yard. They each earned a well-deserved $5 which they were thrilled about.

Mom had made a delicious ice cream cake for all the November birthday celebrations.

On Thanksgiving, the kitchen was buzzing with food prep.

We tried to sneak out to take a couple quick family photos - it was very cold and windy!

Dave cooked an absolutely delicious turkey, and mom outdid herself with the sides. 

We got our last big group photo out front of their house before Dave took off early the next morning for Colorado.

And we had fun taking some pictures of the kids.

We played lots of games and mom taught a little watercolor class.

We went to kick field goals the next day. Riser loved it, Bonnie didn't want to kick, and Benny kicked it over the net and into oncoming traffic. I just barely made it over from 10 yards. 

My very first little niece isn't so little anymore!

Ben and Bonnie (the artists) loved flipping through Grandma's watercolor book. Bonnie has decided once Grandma and Grandpa Dave move down, she wants to go over there for painting lessons and guitar lessons.

It was a wonderful last big get-together with the whole family in this house! We will be going back up for a few days after Christmas as a smaller crew and are looking forward to it. This house has been such a blessing, and we also can't wait to have mom and Dave closer!

November extras

November was full of beautiful weather, the kids were still wearing shorts and t-shirts for much of it (December has proven to be much colder so far). Riser and I took advantage by taking some long walks whenever we had the chance while Bonnie was in school.

Riser has been practicing a lot on his balance bike, very much wanting to catch up to his big sister.

Bonnie put all her bows in her hair one day.

We dismantled our Halloween scarecrow and put a lot of the extra straw in the kids' playhouse, which they've loved.

Our county hosted a 'Take your kid fishing' event that Benny took Bonnie to. A little boy befriended her and hung out with them a majority of the time. Apparently the boy told Bonnie 'It's okay to be afraid of the worms, they're a little slimy.' Obviously he didn't know who he was talking to because she retorted 'No I'm not', grabbed a handful of the worms and proceeded to hold them up one by one and slide her fingers down them to get all the dirt off. 

Apparently she was also the first one to catch a fish.

We have had lots of leaves to rake up and slide into.

We continued to have some picnics outside.

We made s'mores on Veterans Day.

Played dress up. 

Bonnie got some fun art activities for her birthday that even Riser got into.

We had our annual Friendsgiving with our small group, which has grown substantially since it's conception.

2019:

Riser and I made turkey hats one morning at the library.

Eric and I went to Jingle Fest (smaller version of Christmas Town, for business events) for my company's Christmas party.

It turned out to be a really fun date night!

I went to a Dipsgiving party with a bunch of friends.

The kids have been enjoying a new swing Bonnie got for her birthday.

They also helped put up and decorate the tree.

Riser got RSV and did a lot of sleeping.

Bonnie has been loving our childhood dollhouse that her cousins recently passed down to her.

We also went up to my mom's for Thanksgiving - which will be the next post! It was a beautiful, wonderful month. Hoping for some snow this season, but not holding our breath. Bring on the chaos of December!