Live and In Concert

We have a trombone player in our house.  Sam started band this year and is really enjoying it (all except the practicing part).  He has band every other day and practices on the weekends.  I am really impressed with the progress that he has made since just the beginning of the year.  They had their first concert last week.  He had a few after school practices but other than that the kids have never played together and I think they did an excellent job.  Sam even told me how proud he was of himself.  They let a few kids play solos during the concert by pulling names of volunteers out of a bag.  Sam volunteered but was disappointed that his name was not drawn.  I was impressed that he was even willing to play in front of that many people.  I don't know how long he will continue in band but he is off to a great start.  

Sam is the seventh one in, in the back row.  

First Reconciliation

Ella made her first reconciliation.  She was nervous for weeks as we began her preparation.  Fortunately, Fr. Rich came to class the week before and walked the kids through exactly what would be going on during their reconciliation.  He did a wonderful job of talking to them, answering questions and helping them feel relaxed.  Ella felt much better after he came but was still a little nervous on the actual night.  She decided that she wanted to confess to Fr. Rich.  Once she was finished she got her certificate and enjoyed the reception with friends.  John and I got her a rosary with purple beads that she loves.  She was even teaching John how to say the rosary.  She did an excellent job with all the preparations and learning her prayers.  I am such a proud mom! 

Classroom Feast

Ella's class had a Thanksgiving feast this year.  Everyone's family was invited to come and enjoy a meal together.  Her teacher made pumpkin bars for everyone and parents volunteered to bring in the rest.  We brought in juice boxes and mashed potatoes.  The food was delicious!  Ella had two chicken legs and found out shake and bake should be on our dinner rotation.  The classroom was full with many families and all the kids it was a wonderful way to start off our Thanksgiving holiday.  

Hoops Has Arrived

While the Missouri Tiger football team has guaranteed itself a share in the SEC East title and is still playing to try to make it to the championships in Atlanta, the basketball team has started their season.  It will definitely be a rebuilding year for Mizzou with a new coach and a team with a lot of freshman.  We are still excited though because we are definitely playing with more enthusiasm and better defense.  It will be fun to watch them improve on the court and who knows maybe we will be able to get a few good wins at the end of the season.  
We purchased two season tickets again this year and Sam hates to miss a game.  Sam and I  went to the first game and we all went to the game last weekend buying a few tickets in the upper section knowing there would be space in our section for us to all sit together.  It is a fun way to spend a few hours and root on our Tigers! 

Going to Carolina (not us this time)

On the eighth of this month we headed to Kansas City to spend some time with Jono, Laura and Declan before they headed east to North Carolina.  We had a great afternoon and evening with them.  I've been waiting patiently for one of my nephews to let me hold them again and finally it happened.  I fed Declan his food and bottle and played with him on the floor all without him needing mom or dad right by his side.  Of course, now they are moving, but we will still find times to get together and play.  They are moving for Jono's job and will be living close to our old stomping grounds.  We understand the move is necessary and hope they will love their time there as much as we did.  We just selfishly wish they could stay closer to us, but it gives us another excuse for a vacation in The Triangle.  

Why We Love Teacher Workdays...

My sweet lunch date!

As a teacher I used to love workdays because I could finally get caught up on all the things that had been piling up on my desk, change bulletin boards, plan ahead, etc.  Now I love workdays because it is a day to spend with my kids when nothing is already on the calendar.  This workday I spent with Ella.  After sleeping in we headed to the mall.  Ella was in need of some new fall clothes and a dress for her first reconciliation.  This girl loves to shop.  We were at the mall for hours and if I didn't make her leave she could have stayed for hours more.  After shopping we headed out to some yummy lunch at Cheddars.  Sam was happy to stay at home and get some time without me bugging him to do homework, study or clean his room.  So Ella and I got some great one on one time together.  

Get Your Sparkle On!

Ella participated in Junior Golden Girl Camp this year.  She met with the Mizzou Golden Girls every Tuesday afternoon in October for an hour.  They learned a dance, some Golden Girl moves to Mizzou songs, and played some games.  Each Golden Girl had two or three young girls that they helped.  When the month was over they got to perform the dance they had learned before a Missouri Women's Basketball game at The Hearnes Center.  Ella was a bit nervous but she did a great job.  She is already asking if she can participate again next year! 

Ella with her big GG! 

Ella practicing her kicks!

Practicing the dance routine to "Get Your Sparkle On"

Trick or Treat!

The kids had a great time on Halloween.  Ella started the celebration with her Halloween party at school where she had a good time.  Then it was home to eat dinner and get on their costumes.  Ella was a Mizzou Golden Girl this year.  She looked adorable in her outfit and enjoyed curling her hair and getting to put on a little make-up.  Sam dressed as KayCee the W Guy in celebration of the Royals great season.  His costume took a little more work but I enjoyed making it.  He wanted to wear something different when the Royals lost the World Series earlier in the week but luckily we were able to talk him into still wearing it, since they played so great all year long.  
Sam decided this year to go trick or treating with a friend instead of Ella and me.  They hit up a lot of houses and Sam came home with enough candy to fill a large bowl.  We ran into him once in the neighborhood and he looked like he was having a great time. 
Ella and I started her trick or treating by visiting her teacher, Mrs. Howard, at her house. She makes special treats for all of her students and likes to get a picture of them in their costumes.  Ella was excited to go and visit.  Then we headed back to our neighborhood.  Ella's friend was going to come trick or treat with us later but until then we trick or treated with other friends and had a great time.  Our neighborhood was packed with kids and it was fun for all the adults to be out and socializing too.  Her friend Jesse met up with us for our last big block of trick or treating and the girls had a great time together.  By 8:00, Ella's feet were hurting and her bag was full of candy so we headed home.  John had given out most of our candy and saw some of our other friends who stopped by to trick or treat.  It was a fun Halloween!

Ella making a spider at her Halloween party. 

 

Carving Some of our Favorites!

The kids wanted to carve pumpkins that went with their costume themes.  SInce Ella was dressing as a Golden Girl her pumpkin would be Mizzou themed and Sam's would have a Royals' theme for his KayCee the W Guy costume.  I always work on Ella's pumpkin with her and John and Sam work on his.  This pumpkin was definitely the most challenging pumpkin Ella and I have tried but it yielded great results.  We received many compliments on our pumpkin from trick or treaters.  John and Sam produced another great pumpkin.  John's perfectionist ways always yield great results and even had him touching up Ella's pumpkin when we had finished.  

Here are the final results: 

Hoyt's Halloween Bash!

Our friends Dan and Megan host a pumpkin carving party every year that is spectacular!  We were so excited to attend again and catch up with friends we don't see often enough.  The kids had fun playing in bouncy house, carving their jack o' lanterns, eating treats, getting face paint and just enjoying the beautiful day.  

Sam guessing how many candy corns are in the jar. 

Our friend Lisa painting Ella's face. 

The final result, she requested a scary mummy with a small purple butterfly.  

Photo booth! 

Sam showing off his and Ella's jack o' lanterns. 

Hurray for House Dec's!

The kids still love going to the house decorations on Homecoming Eve.  After missing some last year with the MU basketball game we decided to be there from the very beginning.  We saw some great decorations this year and some cute skits.  Ella got her face painted and went down slides and the kids got candy and even magic wands.  It is a fun way to spend an evening and give lots of MIZ cheers! 

In front of a lion that actually moved at House Dec's! 

Being silly with their new magic wands.

Now, the picture Mom wanted. 

One of the House Decorations. 

Grandma and Grandpa Visit

Grandma and Grandpa came down for the weekend to watch one of Ella's soccer games.  She put on quite a show, scoring her first two goals of the season!  She was excited to have them come and watch her play.  Then Grandma joined us for the Rock Bridge Chicken BBQ.  It was a busy day and we were so glad they were able to come and visit.  

Productive Pasta Sorter

I love this kid and his good heart.  The church youth had the opportunity to help out at the food bank in October and Sam was happy to volunteer.  The food bank receives and buys a lot of food in bulk which needs to be sorted out to give to individual families and smaller food banks around Mid-Missouri.  The night Sam went they were sorting pasta.  They had big barrels of pasta to sort out and even finished what the food bank had planned for them in less than their two hours.  Sam was a little upset he forgot his hat and had to wear the hair net, but by the end of the night he was posting pictures on his Instagram account about rocking his hairnet.  

Frozen Fifth!

This little cutie turned five in October!  We enjoyed celebrating a Frozen themed party with her.  She was super excited about her birthday which made it so much fun.  

Blue October

October was very busy with cheering on the Royals all the way to the World Series.  We had a lot of fun watching them go on an unbelievable play off run!  The weekend we were in Kansas City we went on a search for some new Royals gear and it was hard to find.  I actually had a little luck at our Rally House here in Columbia and ordered some more things on line.  
Sam did find a post season hat while we were in KC that I bought for him.  He wore it out to dinner one night to Flat Branch Brewery here in town.  When our waiter brought our check the manager came over and said our meal was paid for.  He said he was a big Royals fan and enjoying their run.  He was buying a meal each night for a customer that came in wearing Royals gear.  He talked baseball for a little bit and left.  I had never had anything happen like that before so I was in a bit of shock and hope I thanked him appropriately.  What a fun surprise! 
We cheered on our Royals all the way to the last game of the World Series and wore our Royals blue proudly around town.  Unfortunately, things did not end the way we had hoped but it was such a fun experience.  

Sam wearing his Perez shirt the morning after his game winning hit in the  wild card game. 

Our receipt from the meal we received! 

In Search of the Great Pumpkin!

On the first weekend of October we headed to Kansas City to visit the pumpkin patch.  It has started to become part of our tradition to start with lunch at Winsteads so we headed there first.  After filling our bellies it was time to head over to Suburban and the pumpkin patch.  My kids started with the face painting so they are showing off their  pirate faces for all of the pictures.  Then, it was aboard the hayride to head out and choose our pumpkins.  They enjoyed the painted hay bales and the younger ones enjoyed the houses and of course they spent some time choosing the just right pumpkin for carving.  Then after a ride on the military vehicle it was time to ride golf carts and play on the playground while I got to do a little flower shopping.  The weather was pretty good this year and they enjoyed their time together as much as the activities.  

Yummy lunch at Winsteads! 

ARRRR!

On the hay ride headed to the pumpkin patch. 

Kylie playing in one of the houses.

Sam with the Angry Birds hay bale. 

Smiling with the minion.