Eli's 1st Tournament

Here he is at his first tournament ever.  He showed some gusto and some skills as he worked his way around the mat.  He loved everything about the experience and wanted to know when he could enter the next one.

Showing his weight.

Eli wanted to do a exhibition match against his old preschool bud, Cutter.  My, have they grown over the past 3 years.

Great Job, Elijah!!  You got 2nd place!!

giViNG tHanKs

making the cranberry jelly

We celebrated Thanksgiving with the Martin and Anderson Families.  There was plenty of delicious food.  We played some games and had a great time laughing, walking, and eating pie!

Some traditions are good ones.  Like going on a walk after eating a huge Thanksgiving dinner.  This one started a little late.  We got to see a gorgeous sunset; but it was quite dark before we got back.

 

Trying to get all of us in one photo

Ruby tucking in little David. "night-night"

Grandma lead the kids through a directed drawing project.  They were very focused and loved getting out the markers and crayons to make a cute, cuddly lion.

                                    pumpkin pie                                    oh, no, all gone.  must get more.

The next day we hosted the Hocker Thanksgiving Dinner.  It was a relaxing time and we enjoyed just sitting around eating, talking, and playing games together.  That's what families do best!

It's pie time!!

Pippa giving Grandpa some kisses.  She was really funny grabbing his face.

Pippa's card face as we played some serious UNO.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Sharing memories together is what makes the years that go by meaningful.  The family met up at Westside Bakery in Bend for a special birthday breakfast.  Then we took whatever flashligths we had scrounged up and headed to Boyd Cave off China Hat Rd.  It's always an adenture when your'e caving.  Even more so, when you have 5 kids under the age of 9.  But we made it out safely with only 1 banged up head (mom) and minus 1 flash light that a teary Corinne had dropped down a crevice.  The kids were thankful for an early snowfall of the season and we stayed to have a little snowball fun!