DB Family Blog: October and November

The pics posted backwards so we will go from November to October haha. sorry!

Jim and I on our nightly walks, now with the bonus of finding fun decor like this giant, bigger than us chicken.

Yard totally filled with color!

The kids putting up their tree is always messy and fun

Thanksgiving dinner with the cousins

This year we had even more family- Brandon's brother moved here!

Appetizer spread

We did our run to the temple and it felt great to see everyone getting some energy out in the fresh, cold air.

The crew!

Diana's class won a trophy for behavior

I wrote a sweet note to John on his dry erase board, and then I found this sticky note on my pillow. He sure has the sweetest heart.

Deer steak! SO tasty.

Jake and I went to Myrtle Beach for time with just the two of us. 8th grade has been pretty boring for him, he has to avoid a lot of negative/bad influence and he's really a good kid so it's just hard. We both enjoyed this time together.

Jacob used to have a fear of heights- and while it's not gone, he no longer uncontrollably shakes, instead he faces it and actually was enjoying the challenge of navigating the high ropes course. It makes me so happy for him.

Flipping coins into the water

Got a text while we were gone that Michael broke his arm playing goalie- the break was from the impact of the ball. Ow! He took this selfie to show me he is fine and to enjoy myself with Jacob on our trip. The look on his face trying to smile through the pain. He's a good son.

Lots of cool creatures at the aquarium

We got to hang out with sloths! They don't allow us to touch, but they were right next to us and all over the branches around us. Very cool! Did you know it takes a month for them to digest?

They also gave us a behind the scenes tour of the massive pumps that filter all of the water so fast in the tanks.

Little experiment tank with fun stuff they're working on before bringing out to public.

Eel!

Had to eat a Paula Deens! It was ok- the shrimp was not great, just farmed and a little fishy. Best to stick to what she's well known for. The biscuits were SO unhealthily amazing lol. Our favorite part.

The stake president challenged everyone to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year at our October conference. John and the other kids faithfully worked on it each day.

Jim took the girls on a campout with the trailer. With how busy basketball is, it's important to have some daddy daughter bonding. They had a marvelous time all together.

Family band concert!

We had a good crowd of 80 or so by someone's count. It was fun to play and party with everyone. We don't have the perfect sound anything like pros, but it's decent enough to enjoy and sing a long and dance a little.

Nicole can play one line with her toe while playing the ukulele. She discovered this while bored at a family band practice.

Katy sang along with Michael. She has more nerves than anyone, so although she wasn't really heard she did it! And now she knows she can.

John can use a little auto-tune lol but he enjoyed singing Sharp Dressed Man with Mike. He's got the personality and excitement for being a front man that will serve him well.

John's imagination at play- giant spider with baby spiders on its head, holding a playing over the stairs...

Halloween fun

Nicole took John to get some BoBerry biscuits. He was happy about it!

Jim got a deer and the kids drove over to help track it and drag it back to the truck.

Jake's team won the whole thing in soccer. Great finish for him in his favorite sport.

Diana and I went to Biltmore together. We had a great time talking and talking and talking. No shortage of conversation and I had the space and energy to enjoy all she was thinking about!

My parents are going on a mission! They just got back in January and so only home for about a year, pretty exciting for them and I can't wait to hear about how they serve and what they learn.