All-star football

Grant had a good first season of football. He played as a wide receiver, defensive end, safety and corner back. We thought it was really cool that he was selected to be on the CFA Elite team. For that team they used him as a corner and a wide receiver.

Unfortunately, the tournament was the day of gingerbread day with the Soderholm side. Danny and the other kids went there, so Grant and I had a good, though frigid day of football in No. Va. 

Grant had a few friends from the Tarheels on the team, but also was excited to play with friends from other teams. 

Here is a sampling of the different helmets from around the league. You can see that although Grant is an athletic and muscly kid, that he is one of the smaller ones in football. 

 To be honest, it was a pretty frustrating all-stars season. He didn't get much playing time, but he did enjoy seeing and practicing with friends for an extra month.

He and I had a fun afternoon after the games. We went to Ci-ci's Pizza for dinner and also went to a few stores to do some pre-Christmas browsing and idea giving. At Kohls, we played the perfect game for Grant...

Name that scent.

He has always loved smelling things. When he was a baby, I would let him smell herbs and spices when I was cooking and he loved that.  Over the years, he has enjoyed smelling candles and such at stores. This was a fun game for us to play. We took turns closing our eyes and picking out candles to smell and trying to guess the correct name of the scent. 

Extra November Notes

"Um, does anyone have anything to tell me about this cupboard?" 

The child admitted it and it was an easy fix with wood glue. 

This adorable one fell asleep snuggling one night!

These girls love cheering together!

Sometimes I wonder if I should go back to work because I am not busy every day, but I really enjoy my home finally being clean, 

not feeling stressed about trying to make dinner while driving everyone everywhere,

being able to work out, work on a hobby, grocery shop, run errands, work on my calling, volunteer at the kids schools, be there for my kids when they need me, and help friends when needed. I am well rested and able to give my family 100% when we are together. So, I think that I will stay at home a while longer. Even if it seems weird to others, it feels peaceful and good to me.

Look at what I found written about Katherine when I did Tuesday folders! So awesome! I am so pleased that Katherine's classmates think so highly of her!

I was also so proud of Morgan for planning an awesome gratitude themed activity for November!

Katherine is meditating. We went to a family night at Yowell that focused on positive energy and self-care.

She also made a journal.

A stressball, cootie catcher, glitter and oil bottle, and other resources too. Good idea. She is really good about being in control of her emotions! I wish I was as good as she is! 

V got some mail and e-mails saying thanks for visiting!

These two love to FaceTime! I am glad that they are close!

Finished.

Love playing games or reading with Kate most nights!

These kids are having fun driving to seminary and from seminary to school each day! V is a good driver.

V and Em were so excited to see their friends, Amanda and Kayla home from college!

While V was with them, we pranked her telling her that we picked a tree without her. She was not amused. 

We did not. This one was too expensive anyway!

We did have fun stopping at this roadside tree lot though and are looking forward to the Christmas season!

Zumba and Gingerbread Day and Thanksgiving All in One!

Geema and Papa set up a fun family Zumba session with their Zumba instructor. I wanted to be there, because I love Zumba and taught for several years, but I was with Grant at his All-Star football event. From what I heard, they had a lot of fun dancing together!

Danny had the charge to take a lot of pictures of the day and he did not disappoint! Lots of cute ones! Look for a special surprise visitor!

Gingerbread Man!!

Danny made a classic!

Thanksgiving

Katherine's class made balloons for the Thanksgiving Parade. So cute. Her teacher is so good at sharing pictures and keeping us in the loop. 

I don't think that I took any pictures on Thanksgiving. A lot of years we spend the night at my parents house. This year my dad was still really sick and tired, so we came and had a great feast, but didn't stay long (we actually probably stayed too long. I could tell that he was so tired.) We all hand sanitized and washed our hands a lot and he wore a mask. You can see him in the background of one of the pics that V took and shared with me. She only took pictures of the girl cousins, but I can assure you that the rest of the Marshall crew was there too and thankful to be together.