'Tis the Season!

You're probably wondering how our trip to Breckenridge ended. It ended well! Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving. We woke up early and began cooking. We watched football and movies in between. We had a nice spread to choose from! Georgiet even made lumpia!

We spent the last day of the trip, Friday, hanging around the house in our pajamas and packing. We returned unused/unopened food items to the local grocery store because there was no way it was going to fit to travel home with us! We played games late into the evening and shared lots of laughs together. Later in the day, Mark, the kids, Aaron, Georgiet, Zay and Bastian played in the snow some more! They had another, more serious, snowball fight! Mark also took Abi and Bastian on a nature walk close to the house.

We woke up early and cleaned out the refrigerators and packed up the remainder of our items in the car. Our family of four and the Blancos started the drive home about 8AM Saturday morning. The other two Brewer families flew home. Their flight didn't leave until about 5:30PM; so, they drove (about a 2 hours trip) to Denver and toured the city until it was time to check in for their flight. We and the Blancos finally (and I mean FINALLY!) got home around 3AM on Sunday morning. Longest drive EVER!

Sunday morning it was business as usual. I was up and out of bed by 9AM. Our dogs were boarded part of the time we were gone. So, I went to pick them up from the kennel. This was their first ever stay in a kennel, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised! The kennel staff seemed to genuinely care about their well-being which eased my mind!

From Sunday afternoon until Tuesday evening I ate, slept, and breathed Christmas Banquet planning! At our church the women's ministry holds an annual Christmas banquet to raise money for a local charity. This year, and last year, I handled all the registration for the banquet. Most of the time it's pretty fun because you get to meet and talk to so many new people. There are kinks that occasionally rise that can almost ruin my day, but for the most part I really enjoy it!

The banquet is hosted by the church, but in registering attenders, we also register volunteers to host/decorate a table (or more). This year I decorated two tables. One was kind of last minute because one of the scheduled decorators was unable to do so this year. I found the most beautiful plates for this table.

This Eiffel Tower used to be black! I spray painted it gold to match my plates!

 

 

 I LOVE these plates! They are SO pretty!

 

 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' theme

 

 The top box had battery operated lights!

 

Unable (Sometimes Unwilling) to Keep Up

I can't believe how fast the days seem to be going by! It has been almost two weeks since I've posted, but I feel like it was yesterday! On my mind:

•  There are 49 days left until Thanksgiving and 74 days until Christmas, I need to start my Christmas shopping.
• Austin's baseball schedule is nuts, how am I going to make a fair balance?
• I feel like our homeschooling routine is getting boring...I need to spice it up!
• Fall Festival is just around the corner...I need to get together costumes.
• I need to sew the oh-so cute things I have promised!
• Field trip soon?
• Small group stuff, need I say more?
• What's up with Abi and that gross sounding cough? Allergies hit again!
• I really need to go to the grocery store...I hate grocery shopping...
• How can I motivate Abi to like reading?
• I need more time with Mark, I wonder what he's doing right now?
• Should I take classes next semester, how is that going to work with homeschooling?
• I still don't know what I want to do for my craft for Friday school tomorrow
• Oh, yeah, I have a lunch date with Naomi, I hope we make it there by 1
• Jenny's baby shower is Saturday, sad that I may miss it
• Austin's first game is Saturday, I am excited for him...Need to find red belt for uniform...and make sure uniform is clean for Saturday
• Football game Saturday night with the family, Abi really wants to go to girls night at gymnastics, but I can't be in two places at once!
• Weight watchers is kicking my butt the last couple of weeks
• Buying the kids winter clothes on a budget, did I mention Christmas is coming up?
• Family issues, helpless, nothing I can do to help!
• I need to make that PowerPoint for Sunday, why can't it just make itself?
• Have I fed the dogs this morning?
• Gees I've been a stinky friend, when was the last time I talked to _____(fill in the blank with your name)?
• What am I making for dinner again tonight? Wait, what are we having for lunch first?
• Homeschool, homeschool, and more homeschool!!!! (Choose a direction and go with it!)

And that was just the last minute or so! So, maybe you can see why I am unable, and sometimes unwilling, to keep up! So much to do, so little time...this is me slowing down to cherish some memories we've made!

Family time in the front yard

 Abi relaxing in the grass

 Me and Abi laying the grass waiting for the rain to come!

 Mark attempting to play catch with Austin...you can see how it might be difficult!

Breakfast on the back porch

Lost a front tooth!!!!!

 2010 Race for the Cure; Me, Melinda, and Lizzie (SO much fun!!)

 Austin making a catch



 Playing catch with Austin in the backyard

Abi being Abi 

 Abi and I being super goofy!

My (sometimes) sweet girl!

Me and my love

A day at the Park

Micah 

Caleb 

More Baseball



As you can see, we have been pretty busy. I also had a birthday somewhere in there...but I didn't get very many pictures from the gatherings.

I snagged these from Brandy:

Brandy, me, and Jessica 

Melinda, Brandy, and Me