2016 in Review: October-December

October: 

Anna finished her fall soccer season in the middle of the month and did a fantastic job as goalie.  She can't wait for spring soccer to start again! 

Our Mondays were pretty crazy with piano lessons, group lessons, soccer practice, and the occasional odd activity, plus working in time to take care of a puppy.  We basically ran all day long and collapsed into bed at night!  Soccer ending helped loosen up the schedule a little. 

The boys took on a week-long job helping to clean up a pet clinic at night.  A friend of ours and her daughter do the job normally but were heading on vacation.  Her husband took over but wanted a helper, so the boys split the responsibility.  They loved helping out and did a great job (and earned a paycheck!)

We had a visit from my parents early in the month and went to Jelli's Market to do the fall activities and pick out pumpkins.  We had a ton of fun driving around the countryside and enjoying the fall weather.

Matt competed in a Mario Kart competition at the library and one.  Playing video games does pay off!

Ben and I enjoyed following the Cubs this year and had a lot of fun cheering them on during the playoffs.  We bought a subscription to MLB-TV at the end of the season, but were disappointed to find out we couldn't watch playoff games live.  However, we were able to listen live and it was a neat experience.  It didn't dampen our enthusiasm one bit and we were able to watch the games the following day.

Rob surprised us with a trip to Mt. Olympus the weekend before my birthday.  He had earned a bonus at work in September and saved the money back for a fun weekend of water slides, rides, and roller coasters.  We even got to watch one of the World Series games from the hotel.  I love that he gave me roller coaster rides for my birthday :)  We made it home in time to go Trick or Treating that evening, then rested the following day.

November:

Ben and Anna played in two piano recitals this month.  The first recital was on the first and was their individual pieces.  They did a terrific job, especially since they chose an earlier recital and did not have as many lessons as normal before the performance.  At the end of the month their piano groups performed in a group recital.  Most of the pieces were Christmas music and was a nice entrance to the season.

Matt attended a paint night at the library and enjoyed painting a picture with a group of teens.  He also attended a youth group activity mid-month and enjoyed playing Underground Church.

We had planned to travel to Illinois for Thanksgiving, but hit a snag when my health did not seem to be improving.  I have major sensory issues when I am indoors in smaller areas (house-sized) with large groups of people and traveling in general is painful for me, so we made a tough decision.  I stayed home and the family visited without me.  I kind of anticipated moping around for three days until they came back, but instead I had a very peaceful time alone.  I spent much of my time resting and recovering, but also stamped Christmas cards, watching the new Gilmore Girls episodes, stamped with another friend who stayed home, talked to the guinea pigs, and had a wonderful time.  The kids and Rob enjoyed two separate family gatherings, helped put up Christmas decorations, and Anna went to see the new Disney princess movie with her cousin, aunt, and grandma.  It was good to all be together again.

December: 

The kids and I kicked school into high gear so we could get to our 17th week before Christmas break.  Matt finished a research paper (the first he has ever actually completed) and did a great job.

All five of us came down with a head cold, Anna the worst.  She ended up with an eye infection and had to take her theory test from home.

Ben and Anna finished their lessons and classes for the semester in piano.  They were also in our church Sunday School program.  Matt was happy to have aged-out of the program and enjoyed being in the audience.

Matt and Ben were hired by our landlord to shovel snow this year.  Matt shovels at his house, Ben shovels around ours.  Ben is happy to finally have a paying job!

Rob had the final week of December off and we all enjoyed Christmas together.  I will put our Christmas festivities into a separate post.