Tree Fetching

We still fit in the truck...barely. Drove out to Corbett to Olcott Family Tree Farm, the same place we've gone the last couple years. I love this tradition and that the kids still want to go with us to pick out the tree the day after Thanksgiving. That night we watched Elf to kick off the Christmas season. We started decorating the tree Saturday. Kari and Joel had to leave to go back to school, so I sent them photos of it finished that evening. 

To give us something to do that afternoon--and to keep our minds off the sadness of saying goodbye to the kids--Greg, Grant, Aubrey, and I went to the Sandy Cinemas to see Wicked. Half way through the movie, the fire alarm went off, and we all had to evacuate. We waited around for a bit and watched the firetruck arrive. Apparently, some wiring went bad and there had been some smoke. The theater told us we could come back again later for free. So, we went home. We called later and found out they were open once again, so we waiting until half way through the movie to catch the part we hadn't seen yet. It worked out just fine, even if it did take us two trips to finish the movie. 

Thanksgiving

 Ryan and Michelle and their family drove over to have Thanksgiving together. We were only missing Ashlynn, who stayed in Chicago. 

Kids are Home!

 My heart is happy. They're home for Thanksgiving week!

Kari and Joel got home late last night (Greg picked them up from the airport), and the rest of us were asleep, so this morning everyone got caught up. I loved that everyone just hung out and kept talking. There's a lot to catch up on when you haven't been together for two and a half months. Facetime and texting just isn't quite the same as in person. 

Water Polo State Tournament

It was a fun, full day of water polo yesterday, watching the the boys take 3rd in state and watching the girls win both their games to take 5th. Aubrey played well, in spite of the fact that she felt crummy and had a double ear infection (found out at the doctor’s office the night before—bad timing). She fought through the pain, determined to play. This is a rough game on a normal day when you’re feeling great!

No, Rachael and I were not betting on the games in the money photo. We had not signed up to work a table, but they needed more volunteers, so we did it and then got our entrance fee refunded afterward, which we decided was well-deserved. The boys game we worked the table for was stressful and intense! Things got even worse, though, later. In the next game, the last game of the tournament, Coach Mike got kicked out. He was upset about some bad calls and worried about the boys getting injured, and the head ref, who he has had issues with in the past, overreacted and ejected him from the game. Thankfully, the boys rallied and ended up winning that game to take 3rd place. Rachael and I were glad we weren't at the table for that game! The night ended well, in spite of that unfortunate incident.

We are so glad we talked Aubrey into playing water polo her freshman year. She has learned so much, improved her skills immensely this season, and she’s made some amazing friends. We’ve come to love this game. It’s so fun to watch! Big thank you to her coaches for a hard-fought, successful season and for caring about the kids as people, as well as polo players. Good job, Aubs! We’re proud of you. Already looking forward to next year!

Water Polo Playoffs

Aubrey played her heart out in the water polo state playoff game yesterday in Newberg. Her team (ranked sixth) ended up losing to third-ranked South Eugene, but they battled hard, and we were so proud of them! Aubrey earned every bit of her Old Spaghetti Factory dinner. We’re ready to cheer her on again next Saturday!

Fall This and That

We're still adjusting to having just the four of us at home. Greg and I are often in bed before our kids, and more than once, we've woken up the next morning to see that no one ever turned off the hall light. We were all used to Joel being the last one to go to sleep and turn off the lights. We put a sticky note reminder by the light switch to turn off the lights. 

We also had to adjust our Friday night pizza dough recipe and cut it by a third. We were having too much leftover. It's strange having just two kids at home!

I was invited to the football celebration and given a jersey by Deondre, which was surprising and touching--so sweet to be appreciated like that. 

The first salad photo is just a beautiful and delicious fall pear salad I made from Joanna Gaines cookbook. The second salad photo was my Bruin Bites Mediterranean bowl salad, made by students, and it was one of the best salads I've ever eaten--so many yummy things in it and such great flavors! 

Joel and Rebecca

 Joel texted us in October to let us know he liked Rebecca and thought she liked him, too, but assured us he "was going to take it slow." Three days later, they were officially dating. Not very slow. :-) He seems very happy.