The First Half of November

A girl moved in to the ward with her family over the summer and she ended up in Afton's first grade class. They became great friends, but then Marie moved back to Texas in November. We had a few playdates before she left.

Afton had her class' stuffed animal for the weekend. Of course we forgot to take it anywhere, but I'm sure Felix didn't mind.

The entries from students before her included outings to soccer games, church, the grocery store, etc.

We took advantage of a beautiful Sunday afternoon and went walking along the river.

We had parent-teacher conferences. It's a lot trickier with kids in two schools! Both got glowing reviews. Here's one of Sam's assignments I found hanging up in the hallway.

After conferences, the kids and I drove over to Mom and Dad's to hang out since the kids didn't have school that day or the next (Election Day). Eli discovered the wonder of Rock Rainbow Bridge.

The weather was gorgeous so we decided to go to Skyline Drive. Mom waited in the car while the kids and I did a fairly quick hike to Dark Hollow Falls. Most of the trees had lost their leaves by that point, but it was a good length and fairly quick, although Eli did NOT want to be held which slowed us down a ton.

We went back to my parents' house for a while and then drove home just in time for dinner and then I was out the door to vote. I thought if I went late enough, the line wouldn't be very long, but I ended up waiting in pretty cold weather for about 45 minutes. Here was my view once I was in the door, which took about 30 minutes to get to!

 Dan went earlier in the day and he also had to wait a long time. There was another polling place literally next door with NO line, but since it wasn't our assigned polling place, none of us could go there. Lame.

Sam found out his bus driver's favorite candy is Snickers, so each day after Halloween he brought her a snickers until his stash ran out.

The big kids' Christmas wish lists.

I got a Halloween funfetti cake mix on sale and promised the kids we would use it. There's always a good reason for cake!

 Dan bought me a new pad for camping since I had such a terrible night's sleep when we went in October. The boys had to try it out.

 I see this car all over the place and every time I think to myself, "Really??? Do you REALLY love Canada Geese?" Because I think you're the only one.

 Our maples were rockin'.

Afton dressed up as a "baby nurse" for career day at school.

 In these glasses, Eli bears a striking resemblance to this Robin Hood character.

We went to the temple and stopped at Great Falls State Park on the way home. It was super crowded that day (the weather was beautiful) so we didn't get to stay long since the line to get in took forever, but it was pretty to see.

 Below Sam is waving at some kayakers. Or the people on the Maryland side... Not sure.