Giving Thanks...

It's Mid-November and since it's my first Saturday morning in a long time without pee-wee football, it's time to update the blog. Halloween is behind us, and Thanksgiving is this week and we all know that means Christmas will be here before we know it! I love this time of year, especially with the cold air and excitement from the kids (and their parents!) as we celebrate our blessings on Thanksgiving and the kids start making their Christmas lists. As a matter of fact, Bryce has typed a color-coded Christmas list to Santa, which is three pages long! He does realize that it is just an idea list and he won't be getting everything on it!
Halloween came and went. My sister's email response to my pictures was my favorite. She said, "How many Halloweens do you have there?" The boys LOVE it when I get out the Halloween boxes of former costumes each year. They love to play in the costumes, and with three boys I have lots of hand-me-down costumes. I'm convinced that boys like dress-up just as much as girls! This time of year also means school pictures. I forgot and sent Rylan to school not "dressed for pictures" but I do have his proofs to post... I'm posting Bryce's third grade picture and Jayden's kindergarten picture. We have also received our first sets of report cards. They both seem to be doing well in school, and I try not to overanalyze. since I tend to do that as an elementary school teacher. But, IF I was overanalyzing, I MIGHT think that Bryce needs a little more of a challenge and Jayden is a little too silly! Bryce's football season is over. We had NO idea how big of a deal pee-wee football is around here, but we had a lot of fun, especially because Bryce liked it so much! His team ended up going undefeated against all the other small towns around here, and they even had a Superbowl complete with a cheerleading competition. I think all of Bowie county was there! Marianna and I took a road trip to Allen/McKinney, spent some time with some friends, and picked up "Uncle Mark" at the airport. Last night Rylan said, "Remember when you went on a trip and brought Uncle Mark back for me! We're having a great time hanging out with Mark, but I'm sure a house with three little ones and a teenager is a little different than his typical bachelor life!
The reason we moved to Hooks was for a coaching oppotunity for Dan. Basketball season is now in full swing and he has had his first three real games. He has a tough schedule set before District play next month, playing all 3A and 4A schools, so it's been exciting to go to these first few games. Marianna is doing great and it's fun for me to have a "daughter" on the team, even if it's just for this year!