and now it's the end of november

I'm so behind. So here goes to catch up from November and part of October.

We've already had one 2-hour delay from school. Sophie and I had some morning tea together. This doesn't seem like a very promising start to winter. All in all, it's been a pretty cold November.

Sophie is a lover of post-it notes:

"Dad what I am going to say to you I love you Dad"

pattern overload

The Godwins and my parents came to church one Sunday. Super fun!

Lunch at the Poky Dot after church is always a special treat.

We had two Tuesdays in a row off. I kept Wyatt and Lily both of those days so Ken and Joanna could work on the new house. They are almost done! We are planning a celebration of sorts. The kids and I had some fun in on the White Park trails. I love these kids. And I love that they are friends and enjoy being together.

A couple of weeks ago, ESPN game day came to Morgantown. Sophie and I did the parking lot for a 3:30 pm game. We were there about 5 hours. So we played some Go Fish . . .

Hung out on the dashboard . . .

ran out the battery on the van . . . 

and wiggled some loose teeth . . .

Meanwhile, the boys went to the Lair to check out Game Day. Note to self, not so fun for 9 year old boys. But they can say they went.

This was the tent city students lived in for a week before Game Day arrived.

Ben and Ted went with Seth and Grant.

Uncle Andy stopped by one day for about 7 minutes.

Ben went to the Kansas game with these guys.

I got to meet sweet Hazel (proud parents: Adrienne & Brian). Cute overload.

We had two banquets and one fall weekend in the past month. This was my dining room table through most of it. Our banquets were a huge success. The one in Fairmont was such a blessing because there were 120 people there FROM FAIRMONT. That town and ministry there has come such a long way. The Morgantown banquet was so great because there were so many parents there. I am so pleased with both of them. Between the two, we had about 225 people and raised $65,000 towards this year's budget - the most we've ever raised. We also took 117 kids to Fall Weekend. I administrated the weekend of over 500 kids. We sold out 2 weeks prior to the actual weekend. I sure am glad all of that is over.

Mountaineer Area Young Life kids and leaders

500 kids at Club

 

So, that's the basics from the last several weeks. Super glad to have some breathing room starting this week.

thanksgiving 2014

This Thanksgiving, both of our families had everyone home and together - including brand new Baby Reed.  That's pretty rare to have everyone together in BOTH families. I didn't get many pictures but it was a fun two days in New Martinsville.

Aunt Sara altered two bridesmaids dresses and my old prom dress for Sophie. She added a veil from our first communion and some pink plastic high heels and Sophie was in heaven. 

Henry and Isaac were much more playful this Thanksgiving. My kids love them so much.

 They especially love snuggles.

 We had two delicious Thanksgiving meals. Ted helped Doh with the stuffing. Doh doesn't let just anyone help in the kitchen.

Baby Reed joined the Slider family this week. Charlie (my brother) and his sweet wife, Valerie, welcomed their first child, Reed William on Monday. 7 pounds 14 ounces and full of cuteness. Oh my word he is darling!

 They were released from the hospital Thursday morning and joined us for dinner that evening.

Charlie - the proud Dad. Love seeing him like this.

Reed pooped on his Thanksgiving outfit. So he wore the next best thing. Although you can't see it, it says, "Don't you wish your Dad could hunt like my Dad?" Did I mention that Reed was born on the 1st day of deer season? If you know Charlie, you know that's kind of a big deal.

Slider Grandkids:
Ted (9), Trey (14)

Graeson (17), Carlyn (17), Sophie (6)

Reed (3 days old)

Tuel/Goddard: (this is the best we could do):

Sophie (6) & Ted (9)

Isaac (17 months) & Henry (15 months)

And Apples-to-Apples is a regular Thanksgiving and Christmas tradition after dinner. Sophie got in the action this year with Carlyn.

 

 So, all the kids and grandkids were together. Super special. Super thankful.